James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an t-Aire. I am delighted to hear of the return of the jobseeker’s payment to the post office system. It is worth putting on record that what happened in the banking sector in rural Ireland is a cause of worry. Services were stripped away and, unfortunately, many banks throughout rural Ireland became untenable. It is very important that we continue to support and bolster any degree of activity that goes on in post offices, from which departmental payments and grants can be administered. Of course, it is very welcome that the Minister is putting in that degree of effort.

I thank her for visiting my constituency. I know she has a strong appreciation of the challenges that face the people of rural Ireland. Her home county of Monaghan is in a rural constituency, similar to my constituency of Cork East. It is worth putting on the record that this is a good and positive move and very much to be welcomed.

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