Senator Marie Moloney
I worked with former T.D. Breeda Moynihan Cronin as her constituency secretary for 15 years during which time I had direct contact with people all over the constituency and the issues of concern to them and their families.
In that role, I developed a vast knowledge of the issues facing us here in Kerry South and I want to bring that knowledge and experience to bear on behalf of my constituents. I have already done so for the past two years as a member of Kerry County Council and I now want to give a voice to your worries and aspirations in Dáil Eireann.
As a mother, I am acutely aware of the pressures on ordinary hard working families and especially those who now face those challenges without a job or a steady income. Having put my children through college, I know of the costs and pressures involved, something which the present government has made so much more difficult. I also want to bring about change that will stop our sons and daughters having to emigrate to find work. Job creation has got to be top priority in the next Government.
25 years of working with a number of community groups like the Meals on Wheels service have taught me about the need to pay great attention to community services, the elderly and people with disabilities.
My experience in the community is extensive:
- Administrative Assistant with SIPTU in Killarney
- Member of Boards of Management in a number of schools
- Volunteer with Meals on Wheels service for nearly 25 years.
- Former Secretary of Killarney Bridge Club and South of Ireland Bridge Congress
- Former Cub Scout Leader with Killarney Boy Scouts
In facing the challenges in the years ahead, Kerry South needs fresh thinking, new ideas and commitment to ensure that the people of this area are not forgotten. I am ready, willing and able to work on these priorities as your representative
My priorities for Kerry South include:
- The creation of sustainable employment in Kerry South has been completely neglected by Fianna Fáil and their supporters in Government. Their own employment agency only brought two potential investors to visit the entire county in 2010 while small and medium businesses struggle to obtain credit from the banks. Labour will get credit flowing to small enterprises and invest in new technologies and opportunities for long-term employment in Kerry.
- The Labour Party has a proud track-record of providing social and affordable housing and I will continue to ensure that funding is made available to Kerry County Council to continue investment in this area.
- More access to affordable community-based childcare services is essential. Labour had led the campaign against the regressive cuts in this sector.
- I will strongly oppose any reduction in health services in Kerry. I will continue to prioritise the issues which I have continuously raised at the HSE Forum such as the Health Link bus for patients travelling to Cork for treatment and the provision of a dedicated nurse for people in Kerry with neurological conditions.
- Schools and education are suffering from the most appalling cuts in years. Special needs education, affordable third level education, smaller class sizes and investment in school buildings are fundamental to the Labour Party.
- I will demand that social and family support services such as those provided by Family Resource Centres continue to be retained and enhanced.
- In order to combat crime and anti-social behaviour, I will urge that more gardai are stationed in rural areas and that greater investment is provided for sports and recreational facilities to encourage people to channel their energies into community involvement.
- Farm incomes are dwindling under the present government. I will prioritise the retention of grant supports and programmes which encourage people to remain working on the land.
- Developing and promoting one of our strongest indigenous industries, particularly tourism will reap huge benefits for the entire local economy into the future.
