John McDonagh
My priorities
- Champion social and affordable housing for young families and our elderly and get to grips with the chronic shortage of secure, long term rental accommodation in our city.
- Advocate for the development of our waterway facilities, one of our city's greatest resources, which have suffered from serious under resourcing over the years, requiring both urgent maintenance and much greater development with regard to their amenity value for the enjoyment of our citizens.
- Promote provision of more quality green spaces to serve and connect neighbourhoods throughout the city.
- Work towards our city council being a direct link between community groups and state agencies, providing a flow of information regarding all available government resources and funding and easing the hurdles for community groups' sporting, social and cultural needs.
- Advocate for more public transport across the entire city and work towards progressing the city bus fleet from hybrid to fully electric.
- Also progress the goal of our city's taxis being fully electric in the next 10 years, requiring dedicated rapid charging facilities for all public transport providers.
My background
I am a long serving and dedicated member of Shantalla Residents' Association and have served as both Chairperson and Treasurer.
I am a former Director and Chairperson of a highly successful
Community Employment Scheme which has supported many people of all ages, providing training and upskilling, and preparation for both further education and future employment.
I was a key person in setting up Galway City's first allotments since the 1940s, which are now thriving and heavily supported by a large community of users.
I am a member of the Corrib Navigation Trust for the last 5 years, which has responsibilities in relation to both the Corrib and the Eglington Canal system.
I have actively engaged in fundraising for and organising annual social events for the senior citizens in the area, and was Chairperson of the National Award-Winning Community Gathering Festival in 2013.