The following is a letter from an Intreo office manager:

Customers who are in receipt of a Jobseekers payment who have reached the age of 62 years of age, now have the option of having their Social Welfare payments paid into their bank account.

If you wish to have your payment paid into your back account, please complete the enclosed form and return to this office.

The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection is actively trying to rob customers from our post offices, which we are trying to keep open.

People have a choice. People should have a choice.

It is in the programme for Government that the Government wants to protect them. Will the Government make up its mind?

People cannot be forced. Deputy Healy-Rae knows well.

Does the Government want to close them? Why is the Minister of State shouting in the background?

I thank the Deputy. Can we get an answer?

Does the Government want to keep them open? They closed the Mastergeehy post office, outside of Waterville, a couple of weeks ago. It is a disgrace. Let them make up their minds-----

I thank the Deputies.

-----and stop sending out these letters.

Let me hear the Minister.

I have a rural postmistress as well. I appreciate the Deputies' questions. I will ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Bruton, to engage with the Deputies directly, and if he needs to talk to the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Deputy Regina Doherty, so be it.