Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Last year volunteers in citizens information branches in Carlow were told they were no longer needed. They were really good information providers. I can speak for them because I know most of them there. The move towards going online since Covid has meant a reduction in the face-to-face services being offered. This is a huge issue for me. When we are losing face-to-face contact it becomes a huge issue.

In my area the outreach services in Callan, Graiguenamanagh, Mooncoin, Tullow and Baltinglass have been closed. What will be there for those services? We need to get them back.

I see it like the speakers do. People are coming into my clinics and I am delighted to help them but we seem to be going more online. If a person is not inclined to be online it can be a huge disadvantage. I welcome the Minister saying that we are looking to bring back volunteers but I ask that these outreach services are put back in place. I know most of the volunteers, they do an excellent job and they are very capable people.

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