Profile: All 18 Sligo-Leitrim candidates running in today's general election

Sitting TD Marian Harkin was elected as an independent candidate for the Sligo-Leitrim constituency in 2020 and previously sat in the Dáil for the constituency from 2002 to 2007.

USE ARROWS OR NEXT BUTTON TO SEE MORE PICTURES#

A former  maths teacher for 25 years at  Mercy College secondary school in Sligo, she was elected to the European Parliament in 2004 and remained a MEP until 2019 when she did not seek re-election.

She says a vote for her “is a vote that will make a real difference”, adding that the situation of family carers and people with disabilities has been one of the driving factors in her decision to seek re-election to the Dáil.

She hopes to be in pole position to influence the formation of the new government and will use this position to champion the cause of carers, family carers and people with disabilities.

“I will insist on improvements in services critical to family carers and disabled persons,” she says. 

“This will include abolishing the means test for the Carer’s Allowance and expanding home care and respite services to better support family carers. I will also make sure a cost-of-living disability allowance is on the agenda for the next government.”

Describing childcare and eldercare in the country as in crisis, Harkin says: “The inequality in funding levels that leave private nursing homes at a distinct disadvantage when compared to public nursing homes must be addressed. Meanwhile, childcare facilities in receipt of government subvention must be allowed to operate in a way that makes them financially viable while keeping childcare costs affordable for parents.”

Focussing on education Ms Harkin said she will pursue a reduced pupil-teacher ratio to align with the EU average, increased capitation grants for schools, and more support for the Atlantic Technological University (ATU). 

“I will also look for the reinstatement of teacher career pathways to support and retain skilled educators.

“After the election on Friday, if the opinion polls are to be believed, Independents like me will be crucial to government formation. I want to say to the voters of Sligo, Leitrim and South Donegal that a vote for me is a vote that will make a real difference.”