Laois - Seamus McDonald

 

Seamus McDonald
Fianna Fáil
Borris In Ossory/Mountmellick

Contact: 087 989 5112
Advertorial

 

What issues do you think are most important to people in your electoral area?

• The revitalisition of Rosenallis Village. 
• The promotion of The Slieve Bloom Mountains.
• Inner Relief Road for Mountmellick. 
• Secure home building programmes for every town and village in the Mountmellick/Borris in Ossory Area.

What issues are coming up on the doorstep?

• Housing emerges as the biggest issue with young people struggling to afford homes, limited rental options, and a need for affordable housing.
• Health issues resonate strongly as well, with many ineligible for medical cards due to outdated income thresholds. 
• Long hospital waiting lists are a major concern among constituents in my area. People face prolonged periods before receiving necessary medical treatment or surgeries.
• Road repair and maintenance are also arising, highlighting the need for infrastructure investment.
• The urgent need for the flood relief programme for Mountmellick to begin to allow for development of the town and to allow council planners to deal with outstanding planning applicants and refusals.
• The inner relief road for Mountmellick to help the town commercially and for the safety of people by taking the heavy traffic out of the town.

What projects in the area do you plan on championing if you are elected to the council?

• The promotion of my home village at Laois County and at Government.
• The development of the Slieve Blooms by way of getting Failte Ireland involved with the Rosenallis Development Association. 
• The much-needed Mountmellick Inner Relief Road.
• To help expedite the flood relief programme for Mountmellick.
• Housing Programmes for the Mountmellick/Borris in Ossory electoral area.
• Seek funding for the expansion of the sewerage system in Clonaslee.
• To progress the proposal to provide a walkway in Ballyfin.

 
What are your ‘red-line’ issues when it comes to budget votes?

• The Housing Budget 
• Housing Adaptation Grant’s for People with a Disability and Housing Aid for Older People Grant’s
• The county roads improvements grants 

 
What steps would you like to see to tackle the housing crisis?

• I would like to see a more proactive effort by the Government to encourage a greater uptake in schemes such as:
  • Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant
  • Home Improvements Grants
• I would also promote grants to encourage people to live over business premises and I would encourage community groups throughout The Mountmellick /Borris in Ossory area to embark on social housing schemes such as Wolfe Tone Court Mountmellick and Cuan Bhride in Rathdowney.

 
Why should people vote for you?

• I am a full-time public representative. 
• I bring nearly forty years' experience at local government level. 
• I am totally committed to the development of The Mountmellick/Borris in Ossory area. 
• I have always been committed to help everybody and to represent all groups in the Mountmellick/Borris in Ossory area regardless of political persuasion and I will continue to do so if I am re-elected.