Author name: Donna Marie Doherty

The Special Education Minister says there are no plans to deplete the number of SNAs across the country. Earlier this year, it reversed plans to cut SNA provision in almost 200 schools across the country. Under questioning in the Dáil, Minister Michael Moynihan suggested those plans will not be revisited:

Ulster University is set to make 450 staff redundant, with more than 100 of those at Magee Campus in Derry. These job cuts, blamed on a budget deficit, have also sparked concern about the University’s expansion in the North West. Norman Hagan, Chair of the Ulster University UCU, said there is a role for the

Discrimination, exclusion and inequality are among the lived experiences of Travellers in the Irish education system. A new study led by UCC and the Cork Traveller Education Unit finds urgent action is needed to address these barriers. It highlights that participation in higher education remains critically low among Travellers, with less than 1% of the

Donegal would be a prime location for offshore wind farms if the electricity grid were up to standard. Donegal Deputy Charles Ward told the Dáil that a lack of infrastructure is holding back development. He says offshore wind could provide much-needed employment for the fishing sector, which is under pressure from rising costs and quota

Carolynne Murray has been elected as the new Chair of the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels Federation. The Director and General Manager of the Shandon Hotel & Spa takes over from Aisling Arnold of Arnold’s Hotel in Dunfanaghy, with the appointment confirmed at the branch’s annual gala dinner in Letterkenny. The Donegal branch of

Fire crews were called to a gorse fire near Letterkenny last night which threatened nearby homes. Units of the Donegal Fire Service attended the blaze in the Knockybrin/Calhame area shortly after 8:30pm. The fire had spread over a wide area on arrival and was moving towards houses, with the ESB contacted due to nearby poles.

Just 314 homes in Donegal have been fully remediated under the Defective Concrete Block Redress Scheme. That’s despite Government figures showing almost €300 million has been spent to date, with more than 3,300 local applications received by the end of last month. 100% Redress Cllr Joy Beard says the figures highlight serious shortcomings in the

A Donegal Deputy says Domiciliary Care Allowance must be extended to more families with children who have additional needs. Deputy Charles Ward says many do not meet the criteria on paper, despite having to make up for shortfalls in state support and care. He says behind every failed policy, there are families at breaking point

The Mayor of Donegal Youth Council says young people should be sitting on local committees and bodies where their interests and welfare are being discussed. Addressing members of the Donegal Community Safety Partnership in Lifford this week, Cassie Lambe said Donegal Youth Council was the first in Ireland, and remains one of the best because

The CEO of AsIAm was in Donegal today, meeting with the Castlefin Autism Friendly Town Group. The community is on track to become the first autism-friendly town in Donegal and Ulster. The initiative was launched last October and has already delivered a series of seasonal events, with local businesses also engaging in autism awareness training

The ‘cat is out of the bag’ in relation to comments made by a former Taoiseach relating to the recent fuel protests. Donegal Deputy Pádraig MacLochlainn says that Leo Varadkar’s claims that people in urban areas are “paying all the bills” and “feeding the country” echo what he believes has been whispered by government parties

A Donegal senator is urging the Chambers of Commerce in Northern Ireland to lobby for progress on the long-delayed A5 project. It follows confirmation yesterday from NI Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins that construction will not begin before January 1st, 2027, following discussions with the Ulster Farmers’ Union. The scheme was first approved in 2007, but

Donegal County Council is being urged to double its efforts to secure funding for a standalone pedestrian bridge at Mill Bridge in Buncrana. Last year, interim works were carried out in a bid to improve safety on Mill Bridge in Buncrana, but Cllr Joy Beard says those measures are not without their problems, and they

A meeting with the HSE regarding the future of Buncrana Community Hospital has heard that the hospital will remain open and that the number of beds will stay at 41, following concerns that it might drop to 30. Last month saw a protest after it was announced that scheduled renovation work there, initially due to

Concerns have been raised over the potential loss of up to 450 jobs at Ulster University. Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin says she will bring the issue to the Assembly tomorrow, warning that the university is a key part of the North West economy. She says the situation has been building for years, with rising costs

A contractor is set to be appointed to complete a housing development in Gaoth Dobhair in the coming days. This will allow for the delivery of 11 houses with hopes they will be finished within 18 months. Local Cllr Micheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig has expressed frustration, however, believing that more houses could have been

A Strabane Cllr has received support for a proposal that will ensure funding for the Strabane Drama Festival in 2027. Recently, the festival was denied funding by Derry City and Strabane District Council on the grounds of a lack of funds available. Cllr Brian Harte brought this proposal, which also includes a call to support

A Strabane business owner has announced his intention to run as an independent candidate in the local elections set for 2027. Niall Speak, owner of Strabane’s Eco Basket, has been outspoken on several council matters in recent months, particularly on rates issues. He will run in the Sperrin District Electoral Area, which covers Strabane town

The Cathaoirleach of the Inishowen Municipal District says if the members need council staff to attend a meeting, then the staff should facilitate that. At the March meeting of council, Cllr Martin McDermott and his Fianna Fail colleague Cllr Fionan Bradley sought a meeting with Road Design personnel to discuss a number of outstanding road

Donegal Cancer Flights and Services is questioning whether it will be included in targeted Government supports for the transport sector. The organisation says it operates a vital minibus and volunteer driver service, bringing cancer patients to hospital appointments across the country. It claims patients were highlighted during criticism of fuel protests, but says charities like