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
Government must get on top of shambolic SNA allocation review
The government is making it up as it goes along when it comes to a review of SNA allocations, according to Social Democrats spokesperson for children Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “The government created utter turmoil for families and schools this week with its botched SNA review, which was abruptly paused on Tuesday in response […]
Read moreGovernment’s plan to introduce social media ban for under-16s is well intentioned but unworkable
Government plans to introduce age restrictions for under-16s on social media are well intentioned but will not work, according to Social Democrats TDs Sinéad Gibney and Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Gibney, who is the party’s media spokesperson, said: “This seems to be a case of the government wanting to be seen to be doing something but, […]
Read moreThreadbare childcare plan off on the wrong foot after news of 1,000 service closures
The Minister for Children must appear before the Oireachtas Children’s Committee to outline how and when proposals for a public model of childcare will be achieved, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly said: “Yesterday’s announcement of the government’s plan to provide a public childcare system omitted any and all detail of […]
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