Author name: highlandnews

Free School Books Scheme to be extended to Leaving Cert students

The Free School Books Scheme is being extended to Leaving Cert students. The Minister for Education has today received Government approval to roll out the scheme for those in the senior cycle. It’s the final stage of the initiative to be introduced, and will be available to all pupils in the public school system. Education

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Cabinet discussing how to prepare Ireland for future weather events

The Cabinet is discussing how to better prepare Ireland for future bad weather, following the fallout from Storm Eowyn. Around 18,000, farms and businesses are still without power almost two weeks on. According to the power check website, only 12 premises remain without power in Ballyshannon in Donegal The Government’s been criticised for its response

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Omagh Bombing inquiry hears from brother of 17 year old victim

The Omagh Bombing inquiry’s heard how the death of a 17-year-old caused “irreversible damage” to her family. Brenda Logue was among the 29 people killed in the Real IRA attack in 1998. During today’s hearings, her brother Cathal read a tribute on behalf of his mum, who passed away last year after suffering from cancer.

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No non-compliances found in HIQA inspection at Killylastin centre

No non-compliances were found in a HIQA inspection at a residential centre for people with disabilities in Killylastin outside Letterkenny. There were two residents at the centre operated by Praxis when the short notice inspection took place in November. It was the first inspection since the centre opened. Read the full report HERE

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MacLochlainn to pressure minister for progress on Burnfoot Flood Relief Scheme

The new Junior Minister with responsibility for the OPW says he will be happy to meet with the local community in Burnfoot and Donegal County Council to discuss managing the flood risk in the area, and the ongoing displacement of residents in Líos Na Greíne and Páirc An Grianán. Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran previously held the

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Minister says he’s engaging with LEOs to assess the challenges caused by Storm Éowyn

Enterprise Minister Peter Burke says he understands the disruption Storm Éowyn has caused for many businesses across the country. He says his department is closely monitoring the situation, and engaging with the National Emergency Coordination Group, and Local Enterprise Offices, to assess and address immediate challenges. Approximately 18,000 homes, farms and businesses remain without power

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McLaughlin denies claim that concerns over Lisneal College pitch funding are rooted in politics

Foyle MLA Sinead McLaughlin says there are still questions to be asked about the circumstances surrounding the allocation of over £710,000 for sports and PE facilities at Lisneal College on the Waterside, including the provision of a new football pitch. Questions have been raised this week about the circumstances under which the decision was made, particularly

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Dail resumes today in the shadow of the speaking rights row

Tensions are likely to be high as the Dail resumes today following a two week break. The time off was dominated by an ongoing row over opposition speaking rights for members of the Regional Independent group, which is also supporting the new coalition government. The row’s been diffused after Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy ruled that

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SIPTU to ballot 5,000 Section 39 health workers on possible industrial action

5,000 workers who provide healthcare services to the State are being balloted for strike action. The Section 39 staff are employed by privately owned charities and agencies which provide State services. SIPTU says the new Government hasn’t made an adequate commitment to address the ‘pay injustice’ Section 39 workers face. The union’s Sector Organiser, Damian

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Concerns raised over new Local Community Safety Partnership structure

The power of the Councillor is continuously being diminished. That’s according to Councillor Paul Canning was has raised concerns over the appointment of a private person as Chair of the new Local Community Safety Partnership. The group is being set up to replace the former Joint Policing Committee. Seven members of Donegal County Council have

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Derry City & Strabane District Council seeks public Input on tackling poverty

Derry City and Strabane District Council has launched an eight-week public consultation on its Draft Anti-Poverty Action Plan. It remains open until March 31st. The plan aims to address poverty and deprivation in the council area, where 16% of households are currently in poverty and a further 10% are at risk. The council notes that

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Gritters to take to Donegal roads tonight and tomorrow morning

All routes on Donegal’s winter maintenance programme will be gritted at 9pm tonight and again at 6 am tomorrow. Donegal County Council is advising motorists to drive with caution and not assume roads are ice-free. Donegal gritting route index as follows: 01: National Primary North 02: National Primary Central 03: National Primary South 04: Inishowen

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Flynn and Blaney react to their election to the Seanad

Counting has concluded for the Seanad’s five vocational panels, which make up 43 of the 60 seats. Over the weekend, Fianna Fail Senator Niall Blaney held his seat on the Agriculture Panel, while Fine Gael’s John McNulty didn’t secure sufficient support on that panel. Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh, meanwhile, fell short in his bid to secure a seat

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Gardai trying to trace two women who stopped at Burt accident a month ago

Gardaí in Inishowen are trying to trace two women who stopped at the scene of a two vehicle road collision at Moness, Burt on Thursday the 2nd of January. Sergeant Charlene Anderson says they believe it may have been a mother and daughter. She’s been outlining the details of the appeal……………….  

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Criminal damage incident at Castle Street in Letterkenny

Gardaí are appealing for information in relation to a criminal damage incident that occurred at a derelict house at Castle Street, Letterkenny between 9am and 2pm on Tuesday last. A rear window of the house was smashed between those times. Should anyone have relevant information, Gardaí in Letterkenny are urging them to make contact on

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Council urged to erect safety fencing at DCB affected housing estate in Ramelton

Donegal County Council is being urged to take immediate action to secure a number of empty social houses in Cul na Cille in Ramelton which are awaiting Defective Concrete Block remediation. The issue was raised at a recent Letterkenny Milford MD meeting, with Cllr Pauric McGarvey asking that safety fences be installed. Officials have promised

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SIPTU warns of potential industrial action in the health sector

  SIPTU is warning of potential strike action in the health sector if pay issues aren’t addressed. It’s balloting its 5 thousand members who are working in Section 39 organisations.These are employees in private organisations contracted by the HSE to work in disability care, elder care, and home support services. SIPTU wants the government to

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Ceann Comnhairle rules Regional Independents cannot be an opposition technical group

The Ceann Comhairle has ruled the Regional Independent Group of TDs cannot form a technical group. It marks a significant development in the row over speaking rights. This row caused chaotic scenes in the Dáil as four Independent TDs who helped form the programme for government wanted to have opposition speaking time. Now, the Ceann

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Renewed calls for provision of homes for people with intellectual disabilities in Donegal

There’s renewed calls for the provision of homes for people with intellectual disabilities in Donegal. Councillor Jack Murray says it’s essential homes are acquired and constructed to ensure people with an intellectual disability can reside in their own community. He says it’s imperative properties are dedicated for people with additional needs in new developments. Councillor

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ATU Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Health and Social Care course approved by CORU

Atlantic Technological University has announced that its Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Health and Social Care has been formally approved by CORU, Ireland’s multi-profession health regulator. The course based in ATU Donegal is the third to be approved by CORU in recent years and marks its commitment to providing high-quality education in the field of

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MEP Maria Walsh calls on Justice Minister to prioritise implementation of EU human trafficking laws

There are calls for the Justice Minister to prioritise the implementation of EU human trafficking laws. Midlands-North West MEP Maria Walsh has written to Jim O’Callaghan requesting details of his plans to deal with the growing threat of trafficking and forced labour. Speaking this afternoon, MEP Walsh said a recent UN report shows numbers are

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WhatsApp, iMessage and Snapchat messages to be scanned by EU under new child protection laws

WhatsApp photos, iMessage texts and Snapchat videos could all be scanned by the EU, under new proposed child protection laws. In 2023, more than 29-thousand recorded incidents of child sexual abuse were recorded in Ireland. It also comes as the UK is set to become the first country to make AI-generated child abuse material a

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163 arrested for drink or driving this Bank Holiday weekend

  163 people have been arrested for drink or drug driving this Bank Holiday weekend, while over one thousand were caught speeding. Gardaí have high-visibility policing checkpoints stationed across the country, as part of their St. Brigid’s weekend road safety campaign, to clamp down on unsafe driving. During the first four days of the operation,

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Omagh bombing enquiry hears how school teacher killed was to be her sister’s chief bridesmaid

The inquiry into the Omagh bombing has heard how a Sunday school teacher who was killed in the atrocity was due to be her sister’s chief bridesmaid. 36-year-old Esther Gibson was also engaged. The inquiry’s examining if the Real IRA Car bomb – in which 29 people were killed – could’ve been prevented Esther’s sister

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