Sinéad O'Neill

Sinéad O’Neill is a public representative, teacher, community advocate and Vice Chair of the SDLP. Based in Mid Ulster, she is passionate about delivering practical change for local people while helping to build a fairer, more inclusive and more ambitious future for the North.

Sinéad’s politics are rooted in community, lived experience and a strong belief that public representatives should listen first, speak honestly and act with purpose. Her work focuses on the everyday issues that matter to families, workers and communities, from education and healthcare to rural development, local services and constitutional change.

As a teacher, Sinéad has a particular interest in education policy, special educational needs provision and ensuring that every young person has access to the support, pathways and opportunities they deserve. She has been a vocal advocate for improved Post-16 Specialist Provision in Mainstream Schools, highlighting the concerns of parents, teachers and young people who are facing uncertainty about future educational pathways.

Sinéad has also been a strong campaigner on women’s health and fertility issues. She has spoken openly about the need for improved IVF provision, fairer fertility criteria and better support for women experiencing miscarriage, infertility and reproductive health challenges. She believes women’s healthcare must be treated as a political priority, with policy shaped by lived experience, clinical need and compassion.

Alongside her work on health and education, Sinéad is committed to the SDLP’s vision for a New Ireland, one built on reconciliation, equality, opportunity and respect for all identities. She believes the conversation about constitutional change must be thoughtful, inclusive and practical, focusing on how we improve people’s lives and build something better together.

Sinéad is deeply involved in community life across Mid Ulster. She has supported local campaigns, community groups, schools, sports clubs and regeneration projects, and has worked to raise issues around rural services, local infrastructure, community facilities and the need for stronger investment in towns and villages. Her approach is grounded in “kitchen table politics”, listening to people’s real concerns and turning them into action.