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06 Sept 2025

Kilkenny local election candidate speaks up at Ard Dheis

Kilkenny local election candidate speaks up at Ard Dheis

Orla Kelly is running for Fine Gael in the Callan/Thomastown area

Reporter:

Mary Cody

12 Apr 2024 3:00 PM

At the Fine Gael Ard Fheis in Galway Orla Kelly who is running in the upcoming local elections in the Thomastown/Callan area proposed and spoke on a number of motions.
These were then debated and all three motions were passed. Motions, Orla believes, are the best way to start getting legislation through on areas where change is needed, she also feels it is a good place to voice peoples concerns on issues that have come up on the doorsteps when she has been canvassing.
During the first session the Fine Gael candidate tabled a motion  “The Best Start for every child" calling for a dedicated umbrella agency to serve as a central point of contact for families seeking assistance for children with additional needs.
"This would alleviate the burden on already overstretched parents who shouldn’t have to struggle for essential support. Early intervention and a wrap around support system is what these families deserve. Once a child has been diagnosed these families should have a single support agency and clear pathway where they can access health supports, educational access needs, respite care, transport and housing needs. It seems most unfair that families of children with additional needs should have to fight so hard for services that other children can take for granted," she said.
In her second address on the “Delivering A Just Transition” Orla championed the role of farmers who are making huge strides towards lowering their carbon footprint by innovative technology, solar PV panels on their farm building roofs, the large scale planting of trees and using multi species swards on their dairy farms. She acknowledged the great work that has been done by some farmers and mentioned examples of farmers who are now farming in a carbon neutral way, which is proving to be both sustainable, efficient and has huge economical benefits too.
In the final session on “Higher Education and Life Long Learning” Orla reaffirmed Fine Gael’s commitment, under the Taoiseach Simon Harris, to nurturing a vibrant apprenticeship system.
"This system is one that empowers learners, strengthens our workforce and continues to provide vital workers for our community. I am asking for better support and promotion for the apprenticeship options in schools so that the wide scope of careers on offer is explained as a very viable career option and in some cases is more suitable than a university degree, which are suffering from very high drop out rates," she added.

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