GE2016 Profile: Heather Humphreys TD (FG)

Name: Heather Humphreys TD (FG)

Occupation: Minister for Arts, former Credit Union manager

Marital Status: Married, two daughters

Priorities:

'Continuing to create more jobs so the recovery is felt across Cavan and Monaghan is my top priority. That means ensuring Cavan gets its fair share of the 200,000 new jobs the Government wants to help create over the next five years.

'Unemployment in Cavan has dropped by 27% since 2011 and Fine Gael has a long term economic plan to ensure that progress continues. That will include the implementation of the regional action plan for jobs – which is backed by a €250 million investment fund – and focussing on this region’s strengths – such as agriculture, food, manufacturing and engineering. I also want to make further progress on increasing the number of apprenticeships on offer – so every school leavers has the opportunity to get a job.

'I would hate to see the recovery squandered, after all of the sacrifices made by the Irish people. If we continue to create jobs across the region, we will have more money to invest in services, like schools and better roads, and more teachers and nurses. Sustained economic growth will also mean we can reduce taxes in a sustainable way, by phasing out the USC over the lifetime of the next Government.'