Mullaly is the managing director of a play centre in Laois, and the co-founder of the Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board in Portarlington. She has coached U16 basketball (Kestrels) and her priorities include housing, the cost of living, immigration, mental health, small businesses, farming, education and crime.

I decided to run for election as I feel there is a huge disconnect between ordinary people and our politicians. In recent years, I have felt this gap grow wider and this is not good for Ireland. Laois has experienced huge population growth in the last 20 years but our services haven't kept up. I also am passionate about autism services and this is something which is seriously lacking in Laois.

There are many. Housing is a major issue in every county and we need massive investment and mass building projects to catch up with demand. Immigration is another issue that has come up a lot on the door and people feel they are being told they aren't allowed to discuss this issue without being labelled. Cost of living is another issue. We all see it each week, we go to the supermarket, our groceries are more expensive, as is our fuel, our electricity etc. Finally, autism services across Ireland are in a dire situation, with children waiting years not only on the public waiting list but even private waiting lists.

Autism services in Laois, the need for more occupational therapists in Kolbe School, the need for St Francis School to be given extra classrooms, the shortage of SNA's and secondary school places for children with autism.