Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

That may be because they do not have access to or knowledge of it. It takes a long time. Young people are highly proficient in this regard. As a Deputy representing Roscommon-Galway, the Minister knows there are many farmers who are required to submit applications online. Doing so is a daunting task. The service is available at a cost. It involves being prepared to pay because sending forms properly elicits a quicker response with regard to the grants that are available. There is a great deal of bureaucracy in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Local postmistresses and postmasters could provide that service and I recommend that the Minister roll it out to all post offices as quickly as possible.

Regarding savings, I remember making a point to the late Brian Lenihan when he was Minister for Finance during a terrible crisis. He was a courageous man who was unbelievably dedicated to the State and we all owe him a great debt of service. He was standing where the Minister is seated and it was very difficult for him. I made a point about the national reconstruction fund, which I believe was in place, although I am not sure. I often wonder about what kind of return it is getting. There is an enormous amount of money in the country, some of which could be put into a savings account in An Post for a national reconstruction plan, particularly for housing. The State could draw down this money from people who have savings and can invest for a period of four or five years without accessing their savings. The more that these types of services are provided by An Post and the local post office service, the better it will be because from personal experience, I believe there is enormous trust in the excellent and completely confidential service being provided by postmasters and postmistresses. From my time in the Department when I approved many applications for post offices, I know positions in post offices were much sought after and, to be honest, political appointments were made in post offices throughout the countryside.