Major new role as policy adviser for Offaly Sinn Fein councillor

Offaly Sinn Féin councillor Aoife Masterson has taken up a new role with Front Bench Spokesperson on Children, Disability, and Equality Deputy Claire Kerrane.

Cllr Masterson said: “I am delighted to take up this new role as policy advisor to Deputy Claire Kerrane, Sinn Féin spokesperson for Children, Disability, and Equality.

“This is an incredibly important issue for families in Offaly – every week my office is filled with people worried about what the future holds for them.

“It is one of the many areas that the government has abjectly failed on over many years and there is a huge amount of work that needs to be done in order to hold them to account.

“Just last week, Children’s Rights Alliance published their latest annual report card.

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“Disappointingly in half of all areas examined, there was a deterioration of the grades on the year previous.

‘Even more worryingly, there was a doubling in the number of areas receiving an ‘E’ or ‘unacceptable’ grade, while almost one in three of all the areas examined have experienced a deterioration from their 2021 grade.

‘Ireland is a wealthy country, but too many of our children and young people do not feel the benefit of this.

‘We have a budget surplus of €8bn, yet child poverty and homeless figures continue to soar, children continue to languish on waiting lists for essential therapies, and countless more children cannot access the basic supports they need to ensure a happy and safe childhood – something no child should miss out on.

“The experiences of childhood last a lifetime, and it is simply unacceptable that already vulnerable children and young people have been marginalised by the lack of government ambition.

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“Sadly, the situation is no better for people with disabilities, their workers, and their carers.

“There are serious and ongoing issues, particularly in Offaly, with access to assessments of needs, as well as access to therapies and supports.

“This report card must serve as a wakeup call for government.

“They must learn from the mistakes that have got them here, prioritise true opportunity and equality for all, and quickly match election promises with action

“I am looking forward to working with Deputy Kerrane and doing my best to deliver on the things that actually matter to people in Offaly.
“While taking on this new role, I will continue to be based in Offaly and available to all my constituents. My Tullamore office will remain open Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm, while my Birr office will remain by appointment.”