Election Message

• Housing remains the number one challenge for government. Housing challenges impact not just  those seeking to buy, rent or to find accommodation.

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• Nothing motivates me more on a daily basis as your TD than finding solutions that ensure that this generation can aspire to what I aspired to, which is to own their own home – if that is their desire.

• I know from meeting you that childcare costs for some families have once again become comparable to a monthly mortgage. For others, the main issue is the availability of local childcare.

• We will: continue reducing childcare costs significantly; expand capacity and availability; support providers in retaining staff with fair pay; increase capitation for the ECCE program; establish professional pathways for childcare staff; and co-locate childcare facilities with new and existing schools wherever practical.

• Since the last election, several new schools have been delivered, with more planned. I remain committed to supporting the development of new school buildings and am working to replace older buildings with modern, state-of-the-art facilities.

• We have also introduced free schoolbooks and meals, and these programs continue to expand.

• When I learned that Special Classes were scarce in the community I set about addressing that and we have made substantial progress.

• Is it enough? No. There is much more to be done. I am committed to continuing this work to end parents’ ongoing struggle to secure places for their children.

• I am also advocating for after-school care for children with additional needs and working to address shortcomings in the CDNT model, as waiting lists for assessments and therapies remain too long.

• We have provided 5,000 additional SNAs to support children with additional or special needs.

• As a member of South Dublin County’s Joint Policing Committee for nine years, I have consistently worked to strengthen community safety. Recently, I met with Garda Assistant Commissioner Angela Willis to propose a minimum requirement of 60 minutes of foot or pedal patrol each day and to advocate for targeted action on drug dealing and criminal behaviour in our local area.

• Several successful Garda Clinics have been established, especially in Citywest, a rapidly growing area. And I am a strong supporter of establishing a dedicated Garda station for the area too Citywest.

• People want to see a fair and firm immigration system. Earlier this year, I authored a position paper on Immigration, which is available on my website. Several recommendations from this paper have been adopted by the Minister, including:

• Increased fines for airlines that breach the Immigration Act 2003 by failing to ensure passengers have valid passports or identification.

• Expansion of the list of countries designated as ‘Safe,’ reducing the numbers seeking protection from specific regions.

• The last two budgets have allocated significant funding to increase Garda recruitment. Key measures introduced to improve Garda retention and effectiveness include:

• Raising the maximum age for joining An Garda Síochána from 35 to 50.

• Extending the retirement age from 60 to 62.

• Increasing the penalty for possession of a knife with intent to cause harm from 5 to 7 years.

• Anti-social use of scrambler bikes remains an issue. Laws I proposed, which Gardaí had requested, are now in effect and have been actively enforced by Tallaght Gardaí. In a recent Day of Action, Gardaí confiscated 40 scramblers and e-scooters, seized €42,950 in cash, €8,000 worth of suspected cocaine and cannabis, and secured designer goods valued at around €25,000.

• I am committed to addressing the ongoing issue of menacing and sometimes threatening behaviour on public transport. We cannot wait for Garda numbers to reach a certain level before establishing a dedicated Transport Police Corps. The time has come for an independent unit across all public transport modes, with powers similar to Gardaí. My party is firmly committed to this.