Fine Gael Waterford Deputy, Paudie Coffey, has said that the construction of the new Waterford City Fire Station will begin in the coming weeks. Deputy Coffey received confirmation of the development from the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan TD, by way of a Parliamentary Question, who informed him that initial funding of €2 million has been allocated for this project.

JobsPlus is a new employer incentive scheme operated by the Department of Social Protection which will incentivise businesses to hire jobseekers from the Live Register, boost job creation and reduce long-term unemployment.

Fine Gael Waterford Deputy, Paudie Coffey, has called on the Government to look at the introduction of a recoupment scheme for people who avail of Criminal Legal Aid. Figures released to Deputy Coffey from the Minister for Justice and Equality, Alan Shatter TD, showed that the scheme has cost the taxpayer more than €188 million over the last three years, without any recoupment for the State.

Fine Gael Waterford Deputy Paudie Coffey has said that the construction of the new Waterford City Fire Station will begin in the coming weeks. Deputy Coffey received confirmation of this from the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government Phil Hogan TD by way of a Parliamentary Question, who informed him that initial funding of €2 million has been allocated for this project.

Aine Collins TD has welcomed plans by the Government to examine every community in the state to determine whether it is being served with high broadband speeds or if state intervention is needed to deliver the speeds required by the National Broadband Plan. The Nationwide Broadband Mapping Plan will identify where advanced broadband services are already in place and where plans exist to deliver such services over the next three years. "The commitment was given in the Programme for Government to deliver next generation broadband to every home and business in the State," Collins explained.

I thank the Minister of State for taking this debate. The decision by the Department of Social Protection to issue a new tender this coming September for paying social welfare benefits could, if implemented, see the closure of up to 400 post offices. This would have a devastating effect on rural communities. Bank branches in rural areas have already closed. I am concerned that this will continue not only in many villages, but also in substantial towns. It is possible that, within a few years, bank branches will only be located in cities and large provincial towns.