Community activist announced as new Labour rep for Ratoath

Eliish Balfe has been announced as a local area representative for The Labour Party in the Ratoath Local Electoral Area.

Mother of three Eilish has lived in Ratoath for 13 years and is an Early Years Teacher. For the last eight years she has managed the local preschool in the Ratoath Community Centre.

The pandemic has shown that we need much better facilities within our towns and villages for older people, families and children,” said Eilish.

“Over the past 13 years I have been very involved in trying to improve our local community – through Tidy Towns and our preschools intergenerational friendship with Ratoath Manor Nursing Home.”

At a national level Eilish Balfe has been an activist for SIPTU, supporting the union’s campaign for A New Deal for Early Years. This has involved lobbying politicians at national level as well as representing the union in national negotiations.

“This national level involvement has made me realise how important political decision making is for the well being of our community’, she said. ‘This has thrown me into the political arena where I now want to work on behalf of my local community.

"My main priorities for the Ratoath area are recreational facilities for both young and old. We need a play park and an open green space that can be accessed by safe roads and paths. We must have a far greater focus on improving services within our community especially health, childcare and public transport."

"I want to do whatever I can to help my local area. I cannot wait to have the opportunity to meet people right across Dunshaughlin, Dunboyne, Ratoath and the rural areas, and hear about the issues that they are facing every day."