#GE2020 Claire Kerrane (Sinn Féin – Roscommon/Galway)

Claire Kerrane is running as a candidate in the 2020 general election in the Roscommon/Galway constituency.

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Name: Claire Kerrane

Age: 27

Preferred pronouns: she/her

Political Party: Sinn Féin

Constituency: Roscommon/Galway

Candidate’s stance on the issues that matter most to young people:

Climate Crisis

The climate crisis is one of the greatest challenges we face however, it brings with it an opportunity to create sustainable jobs, to produce clean energy and to greatly expand and enhance our public transport system right across Ireland. We need to incentivise people when it comes to renewable energy ensuring community buy-in rather than alienating them. Tackling climate change cannot be about leaving already struggling workers and families to pick up the tab with increasing carbon taxes that they simply cannot afford.

Reducing Homelessness

Sinn Féin has been to the fore when it comes to bringing forward solutions to tackle the shameful housing and homelessness crisis which we are determined to end. The shortage of public (Council) and affordable housing to buy or rent is one of the most pressing issues facing our society. We cannot rely on the private sector to house our citizens – the State must play a central role in building houses and building communities. Sinn Féin would deliver the largest public housing building programme that Ireland has ever seen that will deliver secure homes for all. We would freeze and reduce rents by giving every renter tax relief equal to one month’s rent and we would introduce rent certainty.

Mental Health Services

We have to stop losing people in this State to suicide and we have to do this by ensuring that when someone needs help, they can get it, there and then. No young person in this State should ever feel like they have no-one to turn to. Vision for Change has sat on a shelf for 13 years – Sinn Féin will implement it. We will also introduce free universal counselling available to all, including young people.

Education Funding, including Third-level Fees

Nobody should ever be locked out of education, third-level or otherwise due to cost. Sinn Féin has a long standing policy to abolish third level fees. I was one of many students who campaigned against increases in third level fees during my college days at NUI Galway. The rising costs associated with primary and secondary school are crippling parents every year. We need to make education free – from start to finish. We also need to ensure that every child and young person, no matter what their educational needs are, receive the support and the assistance they need without leaving parents to battle the system.

Funding for Youth Work

In recent years we have seen funding withdrawn for youth services across our constituency. This is hugely damaging for young people at a time when there is already a huge lack of investment in our towns and villages leaving young people with no-where to go and nothing to do in their communities. Youth works changes lives but this can only happen when the funding is made available and invested in our young people – something Sinn Féin are committed to do.

Direct Provision

Sinn Féin will end the inhumane system of direct provision. We want to replace this system with one that shows compassion for people’s circumstances and that efficiently and humanely processes asylum applications. This will require conversations and dialogue as we work to find the best way forward in dismantling the current direct provision system.