Polls: State doesn’t know how many schools will close

The Department of Education does not know how many schools will close to host voting in today’s Seanad and Court of Appeal referendums, as parents call for elections to be moved elsewhere or to weekends.

Most of the 6,000 polling stations generally used in national polls are believed to be in primary schools, although community centres or sports clubs are also used. However, the Department of the Environment said it has no record of venues used as it is a matter for local returning officers.

Education Minister Ruairi Quinn’s department also has no idea how many or which schools close to facilitate the ballot. All primary schools are required to open at least 183 days but the Department of Education does not require them to record closures for voting or to make up for any days lost to satisfy that minimum opening figure.