'It's heartbreaking to see people who need the most basic services having to fight for them'

Meath West Candidate Focus: Ronan Moore (Soc Dems)

Childcare and disability services are two of the issues Cllr Ronan Moore is most passionate about.

The Social Democrat councillor for the Trim area says we have a dysfunctional childcare system where professionals are getting just over the minimum wage.

"We should be moving to a model of public childcare - every time a school is built, it should include childcare facilities and when a private operator leaves the sector, it should be taken into the public system.

As regards the disability sector he says; "It is heartbreaking to see the most vulnerable, the people who need it most having to fight for basic services. We need a senior Minister for Disability that sits at the cabinet table," the Meath West candidate says.

Cllr Moore explains that it had never been his attention to become a public representative, but when he and his wife Frances had children, they felt they had more roots and a stake in the community.

"When the Social Democrats were formed, I heard Catherine Murphy and Roisin Shortall and their belief in looking after community and neighbours struck a chord with me. I reached out to see if there was a branch in Meath West which led to be becoming a community representative for the party."

He describes the past five years as a councillor as a really positive experience.

"I enjoy working in the community and adding value to existing organisations ."

He was vice chair of Trim Tidy Towns and was the driving force behind the erection of communication boards in playgrounds around the county, having been responsible for the provision of the first such board in Trim. Communication boards are a visual support and literacy aid which make facilities like playgrounds more inclusive to adults or children who are pre or non-verbal.

Cllr Moore explains that the Social Democrats believe in investing in infrastructure such as the Navan railway line, pointing out that it has been planned for a generation without anything happening.

"We are a commuter county so we also need to look at the rail lines that are already in place such as the Enfield line. Only five per cent of Enfield commuters use the rail line and part of the reason for that is the frequency of trains and I would be arguing that the line should be extended outward.

Cllr Moore says that it is important to have infrastructure in place before housing in order to make life easier .

"Unfortunately Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have a legacy building houses before the infrastructure, which is why we have a problem with infrastructure and services like a shortage of GPs."

He controversial North South Interconnector which has met fierce opposition in Meath West was a decision taken with sufficient involvement from the local community in the early stages

Cllr Moore, who is also chair of the Trim Sustainable Energy Committee said it was also a missed opportunity to create community energy projects where profits could go back into the local community to organisations like the scouts and football clubs.

He is proud of the fact that party founder Roisin Shortall was the architect of Slainte Care which has brought to a stop the issue of every new government having its own health strategy.

"Unfortunately it is not resourced adequately and we are behind on targets, we are short on GPs, clinicians and therapists and there are significant waiting lists.

"We have a huge population growth in Meath, this needs to be looked at resourced appropriately. I believe Our Lady's Hospital, Navan should be upgraded in status, as it doesn't have the auxiliary facilities it needs."

He says that current housing policies have failed and the Social Democrats believe councils should have the power to CPO land for housing and should front load infrastructure. "The land could be used for social or affordable housing, cost rentals or even private development - as the developers would not be buying from speculators that have been hoarding land."

As the campaign continues, Cllr Moore says the response on the doorsteps has been very positive. "We have received an enthusiastic response and a warm welcome".

On Background...Ronan Moore

Ronan Moore is a Meath county councillor for the Trim electoral area, having been first elected in 2019 and retaining his seat last June.

A member of the Social Democrats he contested the 2020 General election for his party in Meath West finishing in fifth place.

Cllr Moore grew up in Meath, went to primary school in Dangan and secondary school in Trim, where he played soccer and hurling.

He still lives in Trim with his wife Frances and their two sons and daughter.

He holds Masters degrees in both Sustainable Development and Education and studied education management and has been teaching in St Patrick's Classical School in Navan for the past 16 years.

Prior to that he worked in West Africa for Trocaire.

A writer, Cllr Moore has written five books published by Gill, three of which are humourous guides to Ireland and two children's books which give a Harry Potter type treatment to Irish legends.