The latest national census figures show an increase in the population in urban areas. However, 40% of Irish citizens still live in rural areas and, unfortunately, the Government's record shows that these people have been largely forgotten. General practitioner, GP, vacancies are not being filled, 200 bank branches have closed, post offices are under threat of closure while some have been closed already, small schools continue to be under threat, there has been an increase in costs for children attending local schools as they have to pay more for bus services, and broadband provision could be described as primitive, at best. As a consequence of that rural decline, approximately 1,300 pubs have also closed. Rural dwellers feel extremely isolated as a result of the decisions of the Government.

Central Statistics Office, CSO, figures show that people living in rural areas have 25% less disposable income than people living in urban areas. They also show that whatever level of economic recovery has taken place, or is under way, is concentrated on the east coast and the commuter belt. People in rural areas still believe that they live in an economically depressed zone and that they are getting no support from the Government. For me and many others, the Government's attitude was summed up last week when Bus Éireann announced a cut to almost 100 daily services on routes affecting places such as Bunclody, Castlecomer, Ballyporeen, Roscommon and Castlerea. That will have a significant impact on the lives of people who live in those areas and are served by those services. College students, elderly citizens attending outpatient clinics in local hospitals and hard-pressed, low paid workers in the service sector who depend on those services to get to their jobs early in the morning and to get home late at night will be acutely affected by the decision to axe those services.

Does the Tánaiste appreciate the importance of a well functioning public transport system that serves the entire country, both urban and rural? Was she informed by Bus Éireann in advance of its announcement last Monday that it intended to axe these services? When will she and her party start to defend the public transport system in the State? Will the Tánaiste engage with the National Transport Authority, NTA, and Bus Éireann to ensure that these services are maintained for the people who need them so much, long beyond the June deadline that has been set?

Regarding the development of rural Ireland, I am sure the Deputy will join me in welcoming the announcement by Apple of the establishment of a major data centre, on a global and European scale, in Athenry. That is the type of news for rural Ireland that every Deputy wishes to hear. It is part of the fruits of the work of the Government in developing a regional strategy, which we published recently, for rural development. I agree with the Deputy that the recovery has been most strongly felt in the big cities of Dublin, Limerick, Galway and Cork. We know that and it is the Government's job to spread that recovery out to every section of the community, and particularly to rural areas, through the regional development strategy. In addition to Athenry, the Deputy will be aware that there have been a number of other positive announcements through ConnectIreland relating to employment in rural areas.

Second, when I was appointed Tánaiste, given my commitment to rural Ireland, I secured the appointment of Deputy Ann Phelan as Minister of State with responsibility for rural affairs to focus on the economic and social challenges that face people in rural areas. The Deputy outlined some of the challenges they face. The Minister of State, Deputy Phelan, is tasked with implementing the recommendations of the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas, CEDRA, for the remainder of this Government's term. A great deal of work has gone into developing strategies for agriculture and the marine, areas where we have significant strengths. Again, the Deputy will welcome the fact that markets in the United States, China and Japan are now open for Irish beef. That is a very important vote of confidence in rural Ireland.

Regarding transportation and the Bus Éireann regional routes, I heard the details about the meeting in Castlecomer and that this will now be reviewed, as it ought to be. People in rural areas, like people in the outlying regions of Dublin and many in my constituency, depend on good transport links to get to college, to their jobs and to hospital appointments. Bus Éireann did not contact me about its plans. However, I am aware that it is looking at those plans and taking account of how it can best address the needs of the communities that would be affected.

I thank the Tánaiste for re-announcing the Apple jobs. I have already complimented IDA Ireland on the continuation of its policy.

I thank the Deputy.

I fail to see what involvement the Tánaiste had in it, but she can take what credit she wishes.

In the Tánaiste's little soliloquy she spoke about appointing a Minister of State with responsibility for rural affairs as part of the programme for Government. She might recall that the appointment was a replacement for a senior Minister and a Department that existed prior to this Government taking office, the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. The Tánaiste is reminding the people that in the negotiations with Fine Gael, she relegated rural affairs to a Minister of State rather than a Minister. I had forgotten that when I was preparing my few words for this debate and I thank her for reminding me.

I also remind the Tánaiste that following the negotiations on the programme for Government, a Minister of State was appointed with responsibility for public transport. The Minister, Deputy Alan Kelly, was the Minister of State at the time and he did little else in that role other than protect the rail line between Nenagh and Ballybrophy. When he moved to the higher office of Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, the office of a Minister of State with responsibility for public transport was consigned to the shredder, like many of the Government's promises prior to the last election.

I will ask my question again. Is the Tánaiste prepared to fight for public transport at the Cabinet table? She talks about engaging. Will she engage proactively with the NTA and Bus Éireann to ensure funding is put in place to protect those routes beyond June and the forthcoming by-election in Carlow-Kilkenny, about which she obviously has some concerns? Will she give a commitment today that she is prepared to engage proactively to ensure the funding is put in place to retain these routes and if additional funding is required to designate them as public service obligation routes? It would show some level of respect for the people she hoodwinked in advance of the last election, when she promised an office of public transport. She gave the impression that she would support the public transport infrastructure, but she has failed to do so thus far.

How many post offices did Deputy Dooley's party close?

I recall the record of the Deputy's own party in respect of post offices. In a period of great economic boom in Ireland, from 2003 to 2011, such was his party's incredible concern for rural Ireland that it closed 1,100 post offices. Those are the numbers.

Is Deputy Dooley shocked?

I would not expect much to bring a blush to the face of Fianna Fáil, but the closure of 1,100 post offices is somewhat Olympian in scale. As the Deputy knows, particularly since I became Minister for Social Protection, An Post has gone on to compete successfully-----

How many did the Tánaiste open again, if they were so important to her?

When the Deputy is in a hole, he should stop digging.

Did the Tánaiste reopen even one of them?

The record should show that the Deputy is now an attractive shade of pink, demonstrating that he does have a response.

There is no pink. All I see is the white flag being raised by the Tánaiste, in line with the colour of her jacket.

Since I became Minister for Social Protection, An Post has gone on to successfully compete for the contract for payments in cash through post offices across the country. This is important in urban areas but is particularly important in rural areas. I have been very happy as Minister for Social Protection to see this happen, as opposed to having extended discussions on it, as happened when Deputy Dooley's party was in Government.

There are ongoing discussions on the provision of rural transport. My Department funds free travel. CIE and the different companies within CIE are beneficiaries of this funding to the tune of just over €75 million. Another couple of million euro goes to private operators. I agree with the Deputy that the issue of transport is vital for people in rural areas. One of the best things that has happened recently in that context is the significant fall in the price of diesel and petrol.

Fares have not come down.

They are going up.

This has given quite a significant cost break to people in rural Ireland.

Did the Government reduce the fares?

That was a hard one for Deputy Dooley. It did not work out too well.

I will see Deputy Durkan at the public meeting tonight so.