Author name: highlandnews

The Chair of Donegal County Council’s Planning SPC says the adoption of the County Development Plan shows that rural Ireland is being kept open. The plan which will govern planning policy and decisions until at least 2030 and possibly beyond will now be reviewed by the Office of the Planning Regulator. Councillor Paul Canning says

A protest is due to take place tomorrow in solidarity with the staff and patients of Letterkenny University Hospital. Organiser, Emma Gova says with extensive waiting lists and continuous overcrowding, it’s time the government stepped in and delivered the much-needed investment once and for all. People are being encouraged to come out and show their

The rollout of the Enhanced Community Care Programme has resulted in reduced cardiology waiting lists at Letterkenny University Hospital. As part of the Sláintecare plan, the initiative, has seen six consultants recruited and a 34% reduction in Cardiology outpatient waiting lists at the hospital while the number of patients waiting over a year for an

The closure of Lettermacaward GP surgery has been labelled an “abject failure”. The facility was closed a year and a half ago over concerns that the building was not fit for purpose. Patients have been forced to travel to Glenties to avail of GP services since. Councillor Brian Carr has questioned why despite improvement works

An Inishowen Councillor says the security of ongoing funding for both the Lough Foyle and Swilly Ferry Services has been significant in enabling businesses plan ahead. For many years there was much uncertainty over the future of the ferry services due to a lack of funding from year to year. Funding is now set out

Donegal County Council has adopted the Draft County Development Plan which will shape planning policy and decisions until at least 2030 and possibly on to 2034. The proposal to adopt the amended plan was made by Cathaoirleach, Cllr Martin Harley and seconded by Fianna Fail Whip Cllr Ciaran Brogan. A number of the proposed amendments

The proposal to rename the Cockhill Bridge in Inishowen after Tipp O’Neill is facing opposition. It was announced at this week’s meeting of the Inishowen Municipal District that a public consultation will take place on the renaming of the bridge on a proposal put forward by Councillor Nicholas Crossan. He believes it would be a

A dedicated Fisheries and Marine Minister is needed to save Ireland’s dying fishing industry. That’s according to Midlands North West MEP Maria Walsh who says the sector is now on a downward trajectory. Speaking after a recent visit to Killybegs, Ms Walsh says fishing communities need support:

Urgent investment and action is vital to ensure adequate respite services for people with disabilities in Inishowen. That’s according to Adrian McMyler, a local election candidate in the Buncrana local electoral area. He says many families in the peninsula are facing a daunting challenge with the closure of River Walk House in Carndonagh and the

Things came to blow once again in the Dáil between Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty and Tánaiste Michael Martin. In a debate on the provision of housing, an argument broke out between the pair leading to raised voices and the Ceann Comhairle calling for order. Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl threatened to suspend the house, warning

While the agri-food sector here is struggling, working to our strengths is the way out of the crisis. That’s according to the Irish Famers Journal Agribusiness Report which looks at the challenges to the food processing sector here. Labour shortages, market volatility and policy uncertainty mean many in the industry are unable to keep their

The Dáil has heard how Letterkenny University Hospital seen the highest number of patients waiting for beds for the month of April on record. Almost 600 were admitted without beds last month. Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle said the health system on its knees and needs a complete overhaul in order to deliver universal healthcare. Deputy

Donegal County Council is meeting in a special session today to adopt the County Development Plan, which will guide planning decisions until at least 2030, and possibly beyond. Today is the deadline for a decision, with members considering the recommendations of the Chief Executive following the latest round of public consultation. That includes the recommendations

A group of hospital consultants in Donegal are requesting another urgent meeting with the Health Minister Last year, consultants at Letterkenny University Hospital wrote to Minister Stephen Donnelly expressing serious concerns over the operation of the Emergency Department and it’s impact on patient outcomes. In their most recent letter to Minister Donnelly, the consultants highlight

Donegal County Council is being urged to convene a meeting of all relevant departments to discuss how best to progress the development of facilities at Donegal’s beaches. The issue was raised by Cllr Anthony Molloy, who told members that many beaches in West Donegal are seeing substantial increases in the number of visitors, but don’t

It’s been proposed a bridge in Inishowen be named after Tipp O’Neill. The renaming of ‘Cockhill Bridge,’ the ‘Tipp O’Neill Bridge’ will go out to public consultation and members of the public will have their chance to put forward other suggestions also. Tipp O’Neill was an American politician whose grandparents originated from Donegal. Councillor Nicholas

There’s calls for Government intervention to ensure the Lifford Clonleigh Resource Centre can continue to provide the same level of services. The Centre has been open for 33 years but has received no core funding for the past 13 years. Midlands North West MEP Chris MacManus says the difficulties facing the Lifford Clonleigh Resource Centre

A Donegal Deputy says that GDPR is being used as a cop out when it comes to properly documenting road traffic collisions. Deputy Thomas Pringle says the RSA should be able to record of crashes without storing details such as the names of those involved or licence plate numbers. Speaking in the Dáil on motions

A popular Killybegs Seafood vendor has been told they must move from their current location as a bus stop is to be installed. The Seafood Shack have received a 12 day notice to move their takeaway van from the Old Pier in Killybegs. Owner Gary Anderson says their location is vital to their business and

€30,000 of funding has been secured to see resurfacing works carried out at the car parking facility at Mount Errigal. Cathoirleath of Glenties MD, Cllr Micheal McClafferty has welcomed the news. He says while there has been growing frustrations in the locality regarding the condition of the carpark, there are boundaries when it comes to

Director of Services Michael McGarvey welcomed the opportunity to clarify a comment he made at yesterday’s meeting of the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage when discussing why more people weren’t joining the enhanced defective block scheme. Mr McGarvey had said it was a ‘lifestyle choice’ in some cases to not join the

Day Care services for older people in Lifford are to resume this year. The HSE has confirmed that a Day Care Centre will be established at the Habinteg facility in Lifford. Work is underway to establish transport for people within the Lifford catchment area to the centre. Councillor Gerry Crawford, a member of the Regional

There has been calls to increase the number of car parking spaces at the Bernard McGlinchey Town Park in Letterkenny. There’s concerns the carpark is being used by people visiting Letterkenny University Hospital and as a result park users are having to turn away. Cllr Donal Mandy Kelly says demand is simply not being met.

The National Standards Authority of Ireland has been questioned as to why an interim recommendation to the IS 465 standard governing the Enhanced Defective Concrete Block Grant Scheme has not yet been introduced. Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn while addressing the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage yesterday pressed the body on why the foundations