O’Sullivan vows to be a ‘strong voice’

TACKLING homelessness will be the “absolute priority” of the new Minister for Housing Jan O’Sullivan, who was promoted to the cabinet yesterday.

The long-serving Labour TD was appointed as a “super-junior” minister, meaning she’ll have a seat but not a vote at the cabinet table.

She said there’s a lot of work to be done: “People are really suffering out there, particularly people who are having difficulties with their mortgages, people who are literally sleeping on the streets at Christmas,” she said.

The Limerick city deputy said she will also focus on regeneration projects in her own constituency and other parts of the country.

Ms O’Sullivan will replace Willie Penrose, who resigned as minister of state for housing last month over the closure of his local army barracks in Mullingar.

Dublin Central TD, Joe Costello, will step into Ms O’Sullivan’s former role as junior minister for trade and development at the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The 68-year-old said he’ll be “fighting” to maintain Ireland’s overseas development aid budget and is “anxious that Ireland will maintain its international reputation in that respect”.

Asked if there was a chance of jumping ship like Willie Penrose, Mr Costello said: “We’re here for the long haul.”

Mr Costello’s promotion was seen as a reward for his hard work and success as director of elections for the campaign of President Micheal D Higgins.

First elected to the Dáil 29 years ago, he accepted that his promotion was a long time coming.

“It’s great when it comes at any time. I’m delighted to have got the nod so to speak,” he said.

Ms O’Sullivan also said she had served her time after fighting off competition from Alan Kelly and Roisín Shortall, who were also tipped for promotion. Sources said geographical considerations meant a person from outside Dublin would be chosen.

“I think I’ve done my time. I’ve been in the Dáil since 1998. There always has to be a geographical balance and it’s one consideration that’s there,” she said.

“But I hope that I have been given the job because I’m capable of doing it and I certainly intend to prove that I’m capable of doing it.”

Asked what she would focus on in the position, she said:

“I think homelessness has to be an absolute priority because I don’t think anybody should be in a position whereby they don’t have a home of their own.”

She said she has a “keen interest in regeneration and will focus on ghost estates, planning and the difficulty of people in mortgage arrears.

Although she will have less power, she pledged to be a “strong voice” at the cabinet table.

CV Jan O’Sullivan

* Age: 61

* Constituency: Limerick City.

* Job before politics: Pre-school teacher.

* Entered politics in 1982, joining the Democratic Socialist Party which merged with Labour in 1990.

* Elected to Limerick City Council in 1985.

* Mayor of Limerick in 1993/1994.

* Elected to the Dáil in March 1998 by-election caused by death of Jim Kemmy.

* Stood for the deputy leadership of the Labour Party in 2007 but lost to Joan Burton.

* Labour spokesperson on health 2007-2011

* On March 10, 2011, she was appointed as Minister of State for Trade and Development.