Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I accept that the spread is more north and west than south. They are fine offices. I was recently in Castlebar for the opening of the Intreo office there and passed by the Achill office on my way to look at the flooding problems. The offices represent a much better way to transact business. People can use the five offices, which are open five days a week in Ballina and Castlebar, three days a week in Westport and two days a week in Belmullet. My understanding from the notes I have been given is that intra-county clients can, where practical, be accommodated in neighbouring counties. That must be teased out.

The Deputy asked about making home visits and I will read out the note I have been given. It states:

If a face-to-face meeting is still necessary and the customer is unable to travel to the public clinic, arrangements can be made for an officer to visit the customer's home.

We need to tease that out too to ensure clients and people in the Department are aware of what the Minister has said in reply to this debate. I thank the Deputy for raising the matter and I hope we have clarified some of the issues to which he has referred. If a further meeting is required between the Minister and her staff, we can organise that.

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