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.

Irish Seafood Exports Increase by Over 20% in 2012.