Why I got involved in politics

I was reared in a political house and through the work of my father, the late Jimmy Bennett who served on Westmeath County Council for 25 years. I became aware from a young age of the day-to-day problems of ordinary people and the role of the local politician in working for their welfare.

I work with a local homeless charity supporting homeless women and children in the midland area, and witness daily the need for more housing, more school places, a better health and Mental Health service and much, much more. My experience, past and present, informs my knowledge of Mullingar’s problems and potentials.

I am acutely aware of issues affecting the town and am interested in working with others in the community to help resolve them. I believe it is important for members of the community to come together and step forward to improve and enhance our environment and living spaces, with a good quality of life and potential for their families to grow and thrive.

I am always interested to help in any way I can.

My priorities

• • The availability of adequate and affordable housing for all is a basic necessity in the community. This also includes proper planning for developments with appropriate infrastructure and facilities,

• The provision of school and childcare places which has been an on-going problem for some time,

• Small businesses are the life-blood of the area and I believe supporting them offers employment and opportunities for the whole community,

• Issues specific to women to include women’s health, equal pay and opportunities,

• Increased support for Domestic Violence Services,

• To highlight the considerable lack of Mental Health Services locally and work to improve the health and wellbeing of all who need help,

• To also highlight the appalling lack of addiction services as the plague of drug taking ravishes our communities.

My background

Born and reared in Mullingar, my parents had a bar in the town. I worked in the bar trade for many years, running my own business on 2 occasions. I returned to college as a mature student and graduated from NUIM in Philosophy and Anthropology.

I taught for several years in Mullingar Community College before moving on to my current job as Manager of a homeless hostel. I am divorced, with two sons and two grandchildren.

Down through the years, I have always been involved with the Labour Party and worked on local, general and presidential election campaigns.