Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

368. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the position regarding the planned universities panel electoral register for the next Seanad elections. [67037/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Seanad Electoral (University Members) Amendment Act 2024 provided that the Seanad election that follows the next dissolution of the Dáil will see the newly established Higher Education constituency electing all six "University" Senators. It also provided for the National University of Ireland to be the Central Registration Authority to administer the register and that the Vice-Chancellor of the NUI shall be the returning officer for the constituency.

Graduates of designated institutions, who hold a degree which is at least at bachelor level, and who are Irish Citizens aged 18 years or over, are eligible to apply to be entered on the electoral register for the Higher Education constituency. Electors in the Higher Education Constituency do not need to be resident in the State. More information on this, as well as an online application form, is available at Seanadvoter.ie.

The first register of electors in respect of the new constituency was published on 1 April 2025 and includes some 62,775 electors from across all designated institutions, of which nine are newly designated. This register of electors will be used for any Seanad general election. In addition, the Act provides that electors on the Higher Education constituency register that are Trinity or NUI graduates and who opted in when registering, will be included on the relevant register for a bye-election should a vacancy arise among currently sitting Senators.

The Chief Registration Officer, appointed by the National University of Ireland in line with the legislation, is statutorily responsible for preparing the register of electors and revising it annually in accordance with the Act. An awareness campaign is in preparation to support the first annual revision of the register of electors and will run from early January 2026. The closing date for claims to be added to the register is 26 February and applications can be made on Seanadvoter.ie. A paper form can also be requested if desired. The revised register will be published by the Chief Registration Officer and enter into force on 1 June 2026.