Author name: highlandnews

An Inishowen councillor says there needs to be considerable investment in the provision of respite services in Donegal, with an immediate need for separate facilities for adults and children. Cllr Ali Farren says the reopening of Riverwalk House in Carndonagh on a four day a week basis is a welcome start, but much more needs […]

Marathon talks between healthcare workers unions and the HSE ended without agreement at the Workplace Relations Commission in the early hours of this morning. It was hoped the talks would end a work-to-rule due to begin on Monday in a row over staffing levels, with both parties to return to the WRC on Saturday. It’s

Donegal County Council is to meet with representatives of developers, with members as well as officials taking part. Officials said they meet regularly with the Construction Industry Federation and others, but Cllr Michael Naughton, backed by a number of Fianna Fail colleagues, said members need to hear directly what developers need to facilitate the construction

The North’s Infrastructure Minister says she wants to see the upgrade and signalisation of Caw roundabout completed by the end of November next year. Liz Kimmins was responding to questions in Assembly from Foyle MLA Gary Middleton. Ms Kimmins repeated that improvements are included in the planning conditions for the adjacent H30 housing development, but

A meeting in Brussels heard how it is urgent the Gaeltacht housing crisis is fixed, following the Tintean housing bill going through the Dail. The campaign is calling for statutory power and resources to be given to Udaras na Gaeltachta to establish a Housing Section and funding be made available annually to provide support to

It’s been confirmed that Donegal County Council had what’s been a meeting with Department of Housing officials in Dublin yesterday to discuss the need to progress a remediation scheme for council owned homes affected by defective concrete. Director of Housing Patsy Lafferty told a special Housing Meeting in Lifford today that it was the most

A Donegal Deputy has called on the Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development to increase LIS funding in parts of Donegal. Deputy Charles Ward told Minister Jerry Buttimer that roads in Glenties and Inishowen particularly, are in urgent need of upgrading. He says the LIS scheme in its current form

The need for a by-pass of Ballykelly is being stressed by an East Derry MLA in the wake of persistent traffic delays. In the Assembly this week, Cara Hunter said last weekend, it was taking up to half an hour to get from Greysteel to Ballykelly, and asked when a bypass promised almost 20 years

Donegal County Council has confirmed it is seeking funding for a second pedestrian crossing on Milford’s Main Street to connect pedestrians to the Health Centre. Attempts are being made through the National Transport Authority and other sources to obtain the necessary funding. The issue was raised by Cllr Liam Blaney, who is asking to council

      The Northern Ireland Assembly has been told that the North West has the capacity to become a leading centre for the generation of renewable energy. Moving a motion calling for a renewable energy grant scheme to be introduced, Foyle MLA Sinead McLaughlin stressed that as well as the environmental benefits, renewable energy

The Sinn Fein leader has called on the Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy to resign. Addressing the Dail during Leaders Questions this afternoon, Mary Lou McDonald said the independence of the chair is vital for the Dail to function, and the Ceann Comhairle’s actions in the Dail yesterday showed she was clearly facilitating the government in

The Western Development Commission says rural towns in Donegal continue to make strides in sustainable transport. The commission has published its Sustainable Mobility index, which examines issues such as access to public transport, connectivity, and active travel infrastructure. Eight small to medium sized towns from the county are included in the survey ; Ballybofey-Stranorlar, Ballyshannon,

More disruption is expected in the Dail later with both sides at an impasse over speaking rights. A government motion on the issue was passed yesterday, with the opposition claiming Verona Murphy effectively facilitated the government. It adjourned yesterday amid chaotic scenes which included Independent TD Michael Lowry being caught on camera making a gesture

A clarification received by a councillor on the Regional Health Forum West Committee has revealed that waiting lists for occupational therapy in Donegal are twice as long as previously stated. Last month, Cllr Declan Meehan was informed that 476 people were awaiting appointments. However, a clarification issued on Monday shows the actual figure to be

The planning system is being abused. That’s according to Councillor Denis McGee who says as it stands, it’s too easy for people to object to a planning application. Currently, it costs €20 to object which Councillor McGee says is a minimal amount when compared to the significant impact it can have on people’s lives. He

There’s calls for works to be carried out to improve access to Mullaghderg Beach in West Donegal. It’s after a recent collision in which a caravan overturned with a child narrowly escaping injury. Councillor Micheal Choilm MacGiolla Easbuig says it’s vital that measures are implemented to ensure the safety of all beach goers:

Confirmation yesterday of a proposed surgical hub development in Sligo has been described as a ‘kick in the teeth’ for the people of Donegal by Councillor Gerry McMonagle, a member of the regional health forum. There were hopes that Letterkenny would be considered as a location for such a facility, which have now been dashed.

The Dáil has been suspended this afternoon after intense exchanges between opposition and Government over the row on speaking rights. In a chaotic afternoon in the chamber, the combined opposition repeatedly questioned and shouted down Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Mary Lou McDonald said the Taoiseach’s word means nothing, as the coalition prepares to vote through a

Frustration is growing over the stalled construction of a new school building for Scoil Mhuire, Milford. Last week, Tánaiste Simon Harris pledged to Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn that he would raise the issue with the Education Minister. Donal Cullen, representing the parents’ association, says that a site assessment and pre-election promises from candidates had raised hopes

Funding, pledged for children with disabilities before the local elections, has been released. Local children, set to benefit, were invited to the Letterkenny announcement. This follows concerns raised by Denise McGahern, mother of nine-year-old Jack, who has cerebral palsy. Working with Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty, she felt her son was used as a “prop” for