Author name: highlandnews

Donegal County Council is being urged to develop a better electric vehicle charging network for the county. Councillor Ali Farren says with the huge increase in EVs and just 19 public charging points in Donegal, the current infrastructure is totally insufficient. Donegal County Council is the lead authority for the west and north of the

Glenveagh Castle is to close to tours on Mondays and Fridays from the 1st of June, with the exception of bank holidays. Councillor Michael Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig stated that staffing issues have been cited by the government as the reason for the move. However, he argues that more should have been done to keep

Donegal County Council collected €34.7 million in commercial rates in 2024, up €3.3 million on the previous year. It was the highest commercial rates collection in the history of the Council. In 2024, commercial rates bills were issued to 4,305 customers in respect of 5,607 properties across Donegal, to the value of €48.4 million. Of

Donegal County Council has approved a loan of €2 million to assist first time buyers. The money will help those looking to get on the property ladder who are unable to obtain a loan from private lending agencies to purchase a new or second-hand property or to build their own home. Councillor Martin Harley, says

Another protest has taken place outside Letterkenny University Hospital calling for improved cancer services in Donegal, including the provision of a dedicated cancer centre at the hospital. Among those the hospital today was Betty Holmes, the Chair of Donegal Action for Cancer Care. She says the map showing the geographical divide in cancer services that

Donegal County Council is moving to phase out the use of B&B Vouchers to tackle homelessness, with more emphasis on the use of hostels and other similar living arrangements. Local Cllr Michael Cholm McGiolla Easbuig is welcoming the new focus, but says there is a need to ensure that people can stay within their own

Donegal County Council has a new member. Fine Gael’s Michael Boyle was co-opted on to the council this morning to replace his brother Manus, who was nominated to the Seanad earlier this year. His father John also served as a member of the authority. Speaking to Michaela Clarke at County House, Cllr Boyle said it’s

Two incidents of  damage in Inishowen on Saturday are under investigation, with calls on those responsible to foot the bill in both instances. In Buncrana, on Saturday night, someone drove through a fence at Festival Park on the Shore Front, before driving away. Inishowen MD Cathaoirleach Cllr Jack Murray says  whether it was accidental or deliberate, gardai will find whoever

Pay-related social welfare changes come into effect today, for people with a strong work history. Anyone who becomes unemployed from today and has made at least five years of PRSI contributions will have their jobseeker’s benefit linked to their previous earnings. It’s split into three different payment rates over 13-week periods – starting at a

  The section of mains has been the subject of regular bursts, including a significant one within the last two weeks, which left some homes and businesses without water for almost 24 hours. Local Cllr Martin McDermott says he’s now been told that the work will get underway immediately, with hopes that it’ll be complete

Industrial action by healthcare workers today has been called off. The INMO, SIPTU and Fórsa reached agreement with the HSE at the Workplace Relations Commission over staffing and recruitment. The negotiations by unions went on for 25 hours over the weekend, but psychiatric nurses are continuing a work to rule. Fórsa National Secretary Ashley Connolly

A 100% Redress representative says Donegal County Council must redouble its efforts to secure a visit from Housing Minister James Browne as quickly as possible. Cllr Thomas Sean Devine was attending a plenary housing meeting online last week, as he was assisting an elderly couple in the Glencar area of Letterkenny, one of whom is

Concerns have been raised in Brussels over the imbalance in the food supply chain. Speaking during his intervention at the AGRI Committee, Midlands North West MEP Ciaran Mullooly highlighted the urgent need for regulatory reforms to address unfair trading practices. He says farmers are finding themselves in a weak position in the food supply chain.

The EU is ‘bracing’ itself for Donald Trump’s so-called ‘Liberation Day’ on Wednesday. The US is expected to announce levies on a range of foreign imports – that could include pharmaceuticals, and food and drink products made in this country. Ireland’s EU Commissioner, Michael McGrath says tariffs are not good for anyone – and the

Healthcare unions have suspended work-to-rule action planned for tomorrow. It follows 22 hours of intense negotiations at the Workplace Relations Commission across the weekend. Nurses and midwives will now be balloted on proposals to develop and improve recruitment processes and workforce planning. Emmet Malone from The Irish Times has the latest from the talks:

A new report by the ‘Community Action Tenants Union’ reveals 353 illegal evictions and 4,524 eviction orders were issued by the Residential Tenancies Board between 2015 and 2024. The data includes analysis of the legislation covering no-fault evictions, where landlords can evict tenants in cases where they are planning to sell or renovate, or where

Donegal Councillor Noel Jordan is calling for a review of the Tenant in Situ scheme, saying at present, the limits are too low. A recent survey showed while the average price of a second hand three bed semi in Donegal is in the region of €180,000, the price of new homes is considerably higher. Cllr

  The team from St. Columbas College, in Stranorlar in County Donegal, representing Estonia won first place at this year’s Model Council of the EU debate. Teams from schools across the country gathered at Dublin Castle to hold a mock debate on potential laws to protect young people online. There was a team of three

Progress on the Ten-T Road improvement project in Donegal, and improvements to the N2 from Clonbtibret in County Monaghan to the border are among the provisions outlined in the annual allocation for the National Roads Network which has just been announced. A total of €6 million has been earmarked for phase two of the works on