Local Political Follow Ups:

• Queried Minister for Social protection on waiting times for the Disability Allowance, Carers Allowance and Carers Benefit. It’s currently taking 6 weeks for CA, 4 weeks for CB 10 weeks for DA. And there are 118 CA claims, 19 CB claims and 266 DA claims awaiting assessment from Galway.
• Worked with both Galway City and County Councils to help support constituents facing eviction notices
• Chuir mé ceist arís faoi seirbhís bus go Ceantar na nOileáin
• Followed up on the Department of Social Protection’s work on making public transport more financially accessible to people suffering with epilepsy, for example expanding Free Travel
• Followed up on reduced respite services in Galway due to staffing shortages

Engagements:

• D’fhreastail mé ar chruinniú maidir le hionad phobail Mhaigh Cuilinn
• Met with community centre about activities for teenaged children
• Travelled to Glasgow for BIPA and toured KPT Community Hydro project – a very interesting and community-led scheme that provides renewable energy for the area
• Attended a roundtable discussion on the future of physics research and development in Ireland

Dáil Work:

• Attended my first Education Committee meeting and asked questions about the barriers that exist for students who want to pursue STEM, particularly in terms of economic inequality
• Spoke on the total lack of affordable housing delivered by this Government in Galway, despite the underspend by the Dept of Housing
• Asked the Minister for Housing to issue guidance to Council on how to deal with HAP tenants who are renting outside their local authority area and have received NTQs
• Highlighted that journalism is not a crime and that 4 years of imprisonment Julian Assange is wrong and that we must stand up for journalists everywhere.

Media:

• Radio: Galway Talks, Nuacht a hAon
• Print: Galway Bay FM News, Connacht Tribune, Kilkenny People, Irish Examiner
• Television: TG4