John Connolly TD

12/10/2026

🚨 Major Public Transport Update for Bearna! 🚨

After months of hearing residents' concerns about overcrowding and a lack of capacity, I'm delighted to share some very positive news.

🚌 A new Bearna-only bus service is now being progressed by Bus Éireann.

The proposed service will include: ➡️ Two morning buses into Galway City
⬅️ Two evening buses from Eyre Square back to Bearna

The route will travel from Eyre Square through Bearna, turning at Paintbox Road, via the Relief Road and right again down to the Twelve Hotel.

I saw Bus Éireann testing the route today and have been informed that the trial was successful. The next step is engagement with the NTA, with the aim of rolling out the service as quickly as possible.

Even better, this is on top of the recently announced additional auxillary 424 services: ✅ Two departures from Spiddal at 08:10 (Monday-Friday)
✅ Two departures from Eyre Square at 17:15 (Monday-Friday)

I've also been told that a fleet of new high-capacity buses is being allocated to Galway for this new route and services. These buses should increase passenger capacity by around 50%, helping to tackle the overcrowding issues many commuters experience daily.

I know how strongly people feel about this issue and how many residents have contacted me regarding the lack of capacity on local services. While there is still work to do, this represents real progress and I welcome these developments.

12/10/2026

📍 Constituency Clinics

This weekend, I'll be holding constituency clinics in Westside, Carraroe, Rosmuc and Ballybane and I look forward to meeting constituents from across Galway.

These clinics are an opportunity to raise any concerns, discuss local issues, or simply have a conversation about matters affecting you and your community. Listening to constituents and representing your views is a vital part of my work as your TD.

Walk-ins are welcome, or you can contact my office in advance to arrange an appointment.

📞 091 562846
📧 [email protected]

Please see the poster below for full details of times and locations.

10/10/2026

06/10/2026

Investing in Our Children. Supporting Working Families.

Making childcare more affordable and accessible is one of the best investments we can make in our future.

Budget 2027 delivers significant supports for families by reducing childcare costs, expanding access and providing additional help for parents and childminders.

✅ Childcare fees capped at €550 per month ✅ National Childcare Scheme subsidy increased to €2.50 per hour ✅ Free childcare extended through higher income thresholds, benefiting more families ✅ Enhanced funding for the Access and Inclusion Model to support children with additional needs ✅ Childminding tax relief increased from €15,000 to €20,000

These measures will make a real difference for families across Galway, helping parents participate in work, easing household costs and ensuring every child gets the best possible start in life.

06/10/2026

Every day I meet families, workers, carers, students and pensioners who are feeling the pressure of rising costs.

This Budget delivers meaningful support where it's needed most:

💶 Up to €750 back for the average worker
🏠 Lower heating, fuel, rent and childcare costs
👷 €14.94 minimum wage
👨‍👩‍👧 More support for families, carers and people with disabilities
🎓 €150 reduction in student fees
👵 €10 increase in weekly social welfare payments
❤️ €500 permanent Cost of Disability Payment

Practical support. Real help with the cost of living. A stronger future for Galway and Ireland.

05/10/2026

📍 Constituency Clinics This Weekend

If you have an issue you would like to discuss or need assistance with a matter affecting you or your family, I will be available at the following constituency clinics this weekend and early next week.

🗓 Friday
📍 Westside Resource Centre
⏰ 9:30am – 11:30am

🗓 Saturday
📍 Claregalway Community Centre
⏰ 9:30am – 11:30am

🗓 Monday
📍 Twelve, Bearna
⏰ 9:30am – 11:30am

🗓 Monday
📍 Constituency Office, Flood Street, Galway
⏰ 4:00pm – 6:00pm

Walk-ins are welcome, or you can contact the office to arrange an appointment.

☎️ 091 562846
📧 [email protected]

01/10/2026

We are exporting our nurses and midwives on the one hand and recruiting them internationally on the other.

Today, I asked the Tánaiste what action is being taken following reports that newly qualified nurses and midwives are not being offered positions in University Hospital Galway.

At a time when the ESRI predicts we will need more frontline healthcare workers in the years ahead, we cannot afford to lose talented graduates.

The Tánaiste confirmed that the issue is being examined ahead of the Budget and that frontline healthcare recruitment must be prioritised.

30/09/2026

At 11am today across Ireland, people everywhere left home, work or wherever they were for 15 minutes to take a stand against violence towards women and girls.

Nine women have been killed violently in the Republic of Ireland so far in 2026.

Share your photos or videos with the hashtag , and let's put an end to violence against women.

28/09/2026