Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We do not fund free legal aid. That is a matter for the Department of Justice and Equality. I have overall responsibility with regard to Pobal, but it deals directly with the Department of Justice and Equality. The Deputy wrote to the Minister for Justice and Equality. I will ask my officials to raise the Deputy's concerns with the Minister again.

I am glad the Deputy raised the issue of libraries. This has been one of the success stories with regard to this virus. More people have joined the online service. I put an extra €400,000 into it since we had the virus and I must say that the number of people using libraries now is fantastic. A number of new libraries are being built around the country. I want to seek libraries spoken about the way people talk about post offices. If people do not use libraries, it will be like what happened with post offices: they will close. Libraries must become community centres where people can come in and fill out their application forms for jobs and use the facilities. With regard to broadband and rural libraries in particular, there will be a number of points where people can come in and use that service. The library service has been a great success and I am very proud of the work my Department has done with regard with libraries in recent years.

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