Mrs. Marie O'Toole:

The Chairman talked about human connectivity. I know that broadband is really important, especially for young people but also for older people to keep in touch with sons and daughters who have emigrated. Many of them keep in regular contact through Skype but human connectivity is vital. That is why most of our guilds or branches meet on a regular basis. I do not think it is possible to beat conversation and seeing people. Broadband and other technology are great, but young people have lost the ability to write a letter. E-mailing is so easy, but it is nice to receive a thank you note. I totally agree that there is a need for human connectivity.

Deputy Michael Collins asked about funding. We receive a very small education grant for our adult education college at An Grianán which is about all we receive. The Deputy also spoke about the loss of Garda stations and bank branches in west Cork. Our members seeking a home help service for someone who is ill tell us that caring presents a huge problem. The home help service has been reduced drastically of late. With the economy rising, we should be able to support the people in question. They would not ask unless they needed it. It is a lifeline to get some help just to be able to go to the shops for half an hour if someone has somebody ill at home. When I was in that position and availed of the home help service, it was fantastic.

We were asked about finding new members. We have a lot of new members. Strangely enough, we have many former Macra members who leave the association at a certain age. Therefore, there is a gain and a loss. I was in Dingle recently where one of the guilds had many members who had emigrated to the United Kingdom in the 1950s. They had come home on their retirement. They might have had to look after an elderly parent and ended up staying. They all had English accents. There were only three or four members who had a Kerry accent. It was refreshing and a great way for them to integrate into the community and make new friends because they were living in isolated areas.

Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell asked where it had started and how it worked. I will leave it to our PRO, Mrs. Devitt, to respond.