Aidan Farrelly
Spokesperson for Youth; Children and Equality
Meet Aidan
I’m Aidan Farrelly, the Social Democrats TD for Kildare North.
I am married to Aisling and have three children: Ella (16), Tadhg (13) and Cillian (9). I have been a professional youth worker and community development worker in Kildare for 16 years.
Working with young people and in communities inspired me to successfully contest the 2019 local elections for the Social Democrats. I believe Kildare deserves its fair share of investment in services for a population of close to 250,000. We need enhanced provision of housing, healthcare, disability services, childcare and school services.
I believe now, more than ever, we need to see Social Democrats policies being government policies. Catherine Murphy has been a mentor and friend throughout my political career, and it is an honour to continue Catherine’s great work.
Kildare schools have the highest average class sizes in Ireland. Kildare has some of the fewest GPs per head of population. As our communities grow, our social infrastructure must grow with them.
Aidan’s Priorities
- Childcare – Capping childcare fees at €250 per month and rolling out a public model of childcare.
- Housing – More affordable homes to rent and buy and driving down the cost of housing.
- Child Poverty – Ending child poverty and child and youth homelessness.
- Health – Full implementation of the Sláintecare plan for a universal healthcare system, free at the point of use.
- Public Services – Prioritising investment in quality public services and community facilities.
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Latest News
Budget’s failure to address childcare costs is shameful
Today’s budget will be met with bitter disappointment by parents due to the absence of measures to bring down the cost of childcare, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “Despite Tánaiste Simon Harris expressing support for a public model of childcare before last year’s […]
Read moreGovernment response to shambolic anti-social behaviour motion shameful
Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly has today slammed the government’s latest response to juvenile anti-social behaviour. Deputy Farrelly said: “I am getting sick and tired of seeing politicians and commentators conflate anti-social behaviour and criminal activity. “Anti-social behaviour is defined as nuisance or disturbance, such as hanging around or making noise – things that […]
Read moreTaoiseach must reverse decision to abandon two-tier child benefit and alleviate poverty
During questions on policy and legislation today, Taoiseach Micheál Martin failed to guarantee there will be effective anti-child poverty measures in the upcoming budget, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “We’ve got record levels of child poverty, record levels of child homelessness, and tens of thousands of children waiting on […]
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