Banagher mother to run for Social Democrats in local election
A Banagher mother is contesting next year's local elections for the Social Democrats.
Running as a candidate in the Birr Municipal District, Clare Claffey has pledged to make housing, healthcare and facilities for young people and families a central part of her campaign.
“As a mother of young children, I am very aware of the needs of families in south and west Offaly. Affordable housing, access to healthcare and facilities for young people are issues that I care deeply about, and I hope to bring a new energy to the Council Chamber,” she said.
A new Laois-Offaly Branch of the Social Democrat Party has been set up, and is working to roll out the policies of the party led by Roisin Shortall and Catherine Murphy. In a statement issued this week, the Social Democrats say they are committed to the development of high quality public services for all and building a strong and sustainable economy that works to ensure a fair and equal society.
Ms Claffey says that she is very conscious that there are no women among the nineteen-member Offaly County Council, and she wants to address the gender imbalance.
“I am looking forward to the start of a new era on Offaly County Council where women’s voices are heard and valued” she said.
Ms Claffey coordinated the provision of peer to peer support services for mothers and campaigned for gender equality in the workplace. She says she sees the “great need to support families at all stages of life and believes the key to building this support is through the development of local government and getting everyone involved in local politics in their own community”.
Ms Claffey has said that one of her earliest priorities is to encourage Offaly residents to register in the coming months and to use their vote in May 2019. Residents of Banagher, Birr, Cloghan, Ferbane, Shinrone, Shannonbridge, Kinnitty, Clonmacnoise, Kilcormac and surrounding areas are all represented on Offaly County Council by the six councillors of the Birr Municipal District.
Ms Claffey will be campaigning in these areas in the coming months and can be contacted at clare.claffey@socialdemocrats.ie. Anyone with questions, issues or comments is invited to get in touch.