Author name: highlandnews

The Dáil has heard calls for an immediate halt to the downgrading of remediation work recommendations for homes affected by defective concrete. This follows concerns that private engineer reports are being overruled by engineers from the Housing Agency based on the discredited IS465 standard. The National Standards Authority of Ireland has confirmed that the IS465

Sinn Féin says average workers would not have to pay the USC, if it go into government. The main opposition party has launched its ‘alternative Budget’, which includes a pledge to offer childcare at 10 euro per child per day. It would also have a cost of living package to include 450 euro worth of

Donegal TD Thomas Pringle has welcomed legislation to introduce digital health records to the health care service, but stressed that there must be strong protections to ensure that the information gathered is protected and secure. Speaking on the second stage of the Health Information Bill, he told the Dail Addressing the Dáil on Wednesday, Deputy

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland is calling on the Government to fund much-needed dementia-specific Day Care at Home Services in Donegal. The ASI is looking to increase its Day Care at Home offering in Downings, Creeslough, Letterkenny and Donegal Town. This however, is dependent on funding. The organisation is seeking a €1m increase in funding

Concern’s again been expressed at the HSE’s Regional Health Forum level about the number of offers of consultant posts at Letterkenny University Hospital which are not being accepted. Asking about diabetes services, Cllr Gerry McMonagle was told the hospital has been approved for two full time diabetic consultants. Interviews have taken place for both hospital

The Taoiseach remains tight-lipped about when the next General Election will be. Simon Harris acknowledges the government is ‘nearing the end of it’s term’, but won’t specify what that timeline is. He accepted a trip to Washington to meet US President Joe Biden in the White House next month, fuelling speculation that he could call

The US, EU, Australia, Canada, Japan and a number of Arab nations have joined forces to call for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East. They say the situation between Israel and Lebanon is ‘intolerable’ and presents an unacceptable risk of a broader escalation of violence in the region. In a joint statement the nations

There were exchanges in the Seanad this week between Donegal based Senator Eileen Flynn and House :Leader Senator Lisa Chambers over the government’s Hate Crimes Bill, with Senator Flynn hitting out at Minister Helen McEntee’s decision to remove the Hate Speech element of the bill, which was causing difficulties during the Bill’s journey through the

Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty has clashed in the Dail with Minister Roderick O’Gorman over the continued use of the Accommodation Recognition Payment, whereby landlords who house Ukranian refugees are paid €800 per month for each person, regardless of their income or employment status. Deputy Doherty, the Sinn Fein Finance Spokeperson, has been arguing this is

It’s claimed no lessons have been learnt – after it emerged a security hut at the Department of Finance cost €1.4 million to build. The detail emerged at the Oireachtas Finance Committee while members were discussing the controversial Leinster House bike shelter. Asked who was responsible for the bike shelter, OPW chair John Conlon said

The Garda Commissioner says the DPP’s file into the Creeslough explosion is almost complete. Ten people, died in the tragedy almost two years ago. Yesterday eight of the families who lost loved ones in the tragedy called for a public inquiry into what happened. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris says the DPP will decide if there

The Green Party Leader Roderic O’Gorman has told the Dail he understands why the families’ of eight of those killed in the Creeslough tragedy are seeking a public inquiry, and said the issue is being very carefully considered by the government. He was speaking within the past hour in response to a question Donegal TD

Not one single room in the new National Children’s Hospital is fully finished. The Oireachtas Health Committee heard 94 per cent of the building is now complete but there are snagging issues in the 3 thousand rooms. A new completion date of June 2025 has now been set but even that’s in doubt as the

The Education Minister is defending schools after the Taoiseach said they needed to “step up” and provide for additional needs students. Simon Harris last week criticised some secondary school principals for being reluctant to set up autism classes. Parents across the country have been pleading with the Government to do more, with a number of

A Donegal Deputy has renewed his call for the abolition of the Special Criminal Court. Deputy Thomas Pringle claims the court undermines Ireland’s justice system and suggests other courts are inadequate. Speaking on the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2024, Deputy Pringle pointed out to Justice Minister Helen McEntee how the government can bring forward legislation

A €50 million wastewater project to benefit Ramelton, Milford, and Rathmullan is nearing completion. The project aims to put an end to raw sewage discharges into the Leannan Estuary, Lough Swilly, and Maggie’s Burn. The construction team has completed much of the new sewer pipelines, underground wastewater storage tanks, and associated pump houses. Significant progress

A member of the HSE’s Regional Health Forum says he remains convinced that the much heralded lifting of the Recruitment Embargo was a PR stunt. Cllr Declan Meehan was speaking after he quizzed officials on the waiting lists for physiotherapy and home help services in Donegal. He was told that there are 597 people awaiting

The Tanaiste says he wants to see investigations into the Creeslough disaster completed before deciding the next steps. His intervention follows yesterday’s statement on behalf of the families of seven of those who lost their lives calling for a public inquiry. They say the cause of the explosion is still not known to them, despite

Aontu’s Mary T Sweeney has announced that she is to contest the upcoming general election. The Letterkenny woman says the party is looking to hold the government to account on behalf of the people, something she says she will deliver if elected. She will launch her election campaign this Saturday at The Vestry, Letterkenny Town

The latest delays to the National Children’s Hospital will be scrutinised today. The Oireachtas Health Committee will hear claims the main contractor on the project – BAM Construction – has show complete disregard for sick children, young people and their families. The Chief Executive of the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board will outline how BAM

Donegal County Council is facing calls for more litter bins to be installed in Ballybofey. Councillor Dakota Nic Mheanman says the lack of bins on Navenny Street in particular is highlighted when local football matches are being hosted in the town. She says while the increased footfall is to be welcomed, it’s important that the

The Taoiseach says the families of the Creeslough victims “deserve an absolute hearing” into the tragedy. 10 people were killed in an explosion at a petrol station in the village in October 2022. A lawyer representing the families of seven of the ten victims has written to Justice Minister Helen McEntee seeking a public inquiry

A group of defective block homeowners who have had their engineer’s remediation recommendation downgraded are protesting outside Engineers Ireland today. They are representing over 100 scheme applicants in a stand against what they say is the ‘unethical and unscientific’ approach being adopted by engineers employed by the Housing Agency. Affected homeowners are calling on the

The Ryan McBride Bradywell Stadium in Derry has implemented a live audio description service for those attending matches who are blind or visually impaired via a headset. It will be available for the remaining three games of the season, aiming to make the experience of attending a match more accessible. Rory McCartney from the Royal