MEATH DECIDES... So what are the big Issues affecting voters in Meath?

Meath East Decides: Interviews and Profiles of all the candidates in the new four-seat constituency

Meath West Decides: Interviews and profiles featuring all the candidates in the three-seat constituency

*****

IMMIGRATION: Issue of migration front and centre for some candidates on the ballot

Immigration has been a big issue throughout the country and particularly for Justice Minister Helen McEntee.

While there are a number of direction provision centres in Meath and a proposal to house International Protection applicants in tented accommodation for up to 1,000 people at Thornton Hall, just outside Ashbourne, Meath hasn't witnessed the heated and sometimes violent protests seen in other parts of the country. READ MORE...

****

TRANSPORT: Commuting hell goes on for thousands of Meath workers

With over 43,000 people leaving the county for work each day and Meath workers having the longest average commute in the country, issues around public transport and commuting are high on the agenda for the electorate. READ MORE...

****

HOUSING: Promises built to be broken... Who can deliver results?

In Meath and across the country, probably the biggest issue by far is that of housing and homelessness.

According to homeless charity DePaul, there are currently 14,760 people, including 4,561 children in emergency accommodation in Ireland with thousands of families facing into their second, or third Christmas in what was intended to be temporary accommodation. READ ON...

****

BUSINESS: ‘You just feel ignored’ Small businesses struggling under the weight of costs

Businesses in Meath East are struggling to survive and say a perfect storm of factors have been instrumental in putting their livelihood at risk.

Just last month, hundreds of hospitality, tourism, retail, childcare and other small business owners and workers took part in a protests in the area and all over the country over rising costs and what they claim is a lack of Government assistance. READ ON...