Ulick Burke TD was elected to the 30th Dáil on 24th May 2007.  He was appointed to Deputy Spokesperson on Education with Special Responsibility for Lifelong Learning, in October 2007.

He was elected to Seanad Eireann in 2007 having previously served as a T.D.

“I am committed to serving the needs of the people of East Galway both at local and national level”– Ulick Burke on his election to Dáil Eireann 24th May 2007

Issues that I will work towards on behalf of my constituents and my community:

AGRICULTURE

• Reversal of Budget 09 cuts in agriculture to allow for the re instalment of the Installation Aid and Early Retirement Schemes for farmers
• Restoration of the Disadvantage Area Aid scheme
• Extension of the Farm Waste Management Scheme to June 2008.

EDUCATION

• In view of the increasing number of people unemployed that the criteria for availing of the Back To Education Allowance would be modified and adapted  to take into account the urgent need for people to be able to up skill, retrain, educate and access 3rd level support, if needed
• The reversal of the 32 cuts in education
• Reduction in the pupil class sizes both in national and 2nd level schools
• Reinstatement of all school grants
• Urgent funding for the improvement of school buildings to eliminate the hazardous conditions that these dilapidated buildings present for staff, students and parents.
• Vehemently oppose the introduction of 3rd level fees.
• Adequate funding to support Adult Literacy Programmes
• More enlightened approach to Life Long Learning
• Better funding for childcare
• Improved access to the necessary support mechanisms for Special Needs Children and their families particularly in the area of Speech & Language Therapy.

HEALTH

• The establishment of a Neurological Unit at University College Hospital Galway.
• Increasing the income threshold for medical card qualification and the income allowance which takes account of the number of children in a family and any debilitating long term illnesses.
• Better Home Care packages for all people recovering from illness who are discharged into the community.
• Free GP visits for children under age of 5 year who do not qualify for a medical card.

OLDER PEOPLE

• The provision of a purpose built community hospital at St Brendan’s Hospital, Loughrea to provide long stay quality care and support for older people.
• Availability of Medical Cards to all persons over 70 years of age.
• Improved Housing Aid for older people in order that they can remain in their homes longer
• Rights based charter for people in long stay residential care

LOCAL COMMUNITY ISSUES

• Urgent funding for local water and sewerage schemes
• Expansion of the Affordable housing Scheme to assist young people in the purchase of a home of their own.
• Continuation and expansion of the Community Employment Scheme
• More funding for community base projects
• Provision of grant assistance to individual house holders for energy provision e.g. Wind Energy and Solar Energy to reduce our overdependence on imported fossil fuels
• Change the provisions of the Habitats Directive to allow individuals to harvest turf in some currently designated areas
• Urgent improvement and delivery of high speed of broadband services for East Galway

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