Ben Dalton-O’Sullivan, Independent
Ben holds a BSc (Government) Degree from UCC, and has devoted my council term to community and voluntary work within the Carrigaline Municipal District and beyond.
He is a member of many local community groups across the Ballygarvan, Ballinhassig and Carrigaline areas and actively involved in the community. Alongside Mary O’Halloran from Ballinhassig, he runs regular social bus outings including annual trips to Knock Shrine, Lisdoonvarna Festival, Leinster House, Limerick, Killarney and many more places. This initiative was started after Covid to encourage older people in particular to meet up again and enjoy days out with their neighbours and friends.
During his last term on Cork County Council, Ben was the Chairman of the Carrigaline Municipal District from 2022-2023 and during that time pursued a number of local projects including the placing of an ASD Communications board in Carrigaline playground and all other MD playgrounds, Launching of the Painting and streetscape schemes for Carrigaline, Passage West and the villages, signing of the Carrigaline - Newport News twinning, Roads resurfacing projects and village enhancement schemes.
His journey to politics
Ben was first elected to Cork County Council in 2019. Having being involved in running the Cork to Belfast cataract bus with Michael Collins TD and Danny Healy Rae TD and being involved in different local community groups, “I became interested in local politics and pledged if elected to work very hard on behalf of my constituents. I was honoured to be elected in 2019 and have worked hard every day since on issues which vary from day to day including; Housing, Planning Permission, Roads, Housing Grants, Older People’s supports and many other issues besides!”
On Housing:
“I have continuously advocated for a greater balance between social and affordable housing” Ben stated. “There are a large number of people on the social housing waiting list in the Municipal District, Supply is an issue and to try and address this, I continue to put pressure on the council to turn around vacant council houses for re-letting much more quickly. Similarly, by allocating houses at a quicker pace in the locality, this will free up urgently needed rental properties which can in turn be re-let.
Similarly, I am pursuing more Affordable Houses for the entire Municipal District.”
On Community Grants and Funding:
As an active member within the community, Ben understands the importance of grants and funding to local voluntary groups. “I continuously lobby and fight for more funding to be directed to local community groups and for community enhancement. I pay tribute to each and every community, voluntary and sporting group in the locality and beyond, they do fantastic work and the support Cork County Council gives them in grants is greatly needed. Our Tidy Towns and Community Associations do all they can to keep our towns and villages looking good - I’m passionate about continuously advocating for more support and funding for these groups from the County Council.”
On Rural issues:
A large part of the Municipal District is rural; areas such as Ballinhassig, Ballygarvan, Minane Bridge etc. “Being from Ballygarvan, I understand the issues facing these communities. Planning Permission is a large area of my work and I work closely with people to try and obtain planning in their local areas. Similarly, roads require continuous funding for upgrades and improvements. I’m aware of the issues facing the rural parts of the Carrigaline Municipal District and I never cease to give these areas a voice on Cork County Council.”
Why should people vote for you
“As an Independent, I am a Non-Party Local Councillor, I represent you and not a political party. I work hard and do my very best when I am asked to assist with a matter. I’m asking people to vote Independent, and I gratefully ask for your No.1 vote at the Local Elections on June 7th.”
In the run up to the elections Ben can be contacted by mobile on 089- 469 0352, by email to: Ben.DaltonOSullivan@cllr.corkcoco.ie, or via Facebook.