I tried to raise this issue yesterday but I got no response. There is an ongoing review of people who have been claiming the contributory pension and people who were cut under the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2012. Letters have been issued to people who are predominantly aged between 66 and 72 looking for further information in line with the ongoing review and asking this cohort of people to respond online to the queries. There is also a helpline which is grossly under-resourced. We have had a large number of telephone calls and people coming into our offices over the last number of days on this. I am asking the Taoiseach if the Department can reissue the letters with the application form attached, rather than asking people between 66 and 72 years of age to go online? Of course, there is also an issue with broadband in rural communities. Can the application form be attached to the letters that are being issued to pensioners to get their pension entitlements reviewed?

I will certainly ask the Minister, Deputy Regina Doherty, to examine whether a paper option can be provided. I am sure that can be done although I recall that when we brought in free GP care for over 70s that 97% of people over 70 were able to apply online. When people are getting a benefit or an increase in their pension they are generally able to apply online but perhaps a paper option should be there as well.