GE2016 Profile: Caoimhghin O Caolain TD (SF)

Name: Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD

Occupation: Public elected representative.

Dáil Deputy representing Cavan and Monaghan for almost nineteen years and Sinn Féin elected representative for thirty years last June.

Monaghan town born and reared. Married to Briege, we have four adult daughters and one teenage son. I am 62 years of age.

Priorities:

While Housing is a top issue for me and for Sinn Féin, Healthcare is nevertheless my number one priority. Our health system is in chaos. Trolley numbers are a disgrace, waiting lists stretch into years and medical staff are leaving in droves.
I and my party are committed to ending the discriminatory two-tier system, providing instead a world-class system of universal healthcare that is accessed on the basis of need. If given the chance to serve as Minister for Health in a Sinn Féin led Government I would:

* Incrementally increase funding for public healthcare services, including

the ambulance service.

* End trolley crisis in A&Es.

* Recruit 6,000 new frontline staff over a Dáil term.

* Restore and develop services in our smaller hospitals.

* Increase and ring-fence budget for Mental Health.

* Increase funding to disability services.