Author name: highlandnews

A measles’ vaccine catch-up programme will be rolled out following a second confirmed case here. On Wednesday, the HSE was notified that a person in the West of Ireland had contracted the disease. They are now finalising plans for the broader rollout of the MMR vaccine in response to the rise in the UK and

The UK government is being urged to release the identity of the British Army’s top agent in the IRA during the Troubles. It follows the publication of a major report into the activities of the mole, known as “Stakeknife”. The report found more lives were probably lost than saved – and that murders that “should

The HSE has confirmed today that following meetings with the HSE, Tusla and the Raphoe Diocesan Counselling Services, an interim funding proposal has been agreed by all parties. This proposal addresses the immediate issues that were highlighted by the Raphoe Counselling Service and it ensures the delivery of the Raphoe Diocesan Counselling Services for the

Loganair’s summer schedule opens on 19 May with three flights weekly, rising to four between 6 July – 17 August for the peak season. The route will continue through the winter, with flights every Friday and Sunday. It follows protracted discussions between the airline and Donegal Airport. The Managing Director of Donegal Airport is Eilis

There are renewed calls for a co-ordinated approach to tackling gender based violence on International Women’s Day. Women’s Aid says the government’s strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence must improve education, legal protection and support services. One in four women in Ireland have suffered abuse at the hands of a current or former partner.

The government is looking into the possibility of providing funding to local communities on the outskirts of large towns to allow them decommission septic tanks and connect into the local sewerage systems. Minister Ciaran O’Donnell told the Dail this is predominantly an issue for Uisce Eireann, but his department will examine the options. He was

Family Resource Centres across Donegal says there needs to be consistent funding to allow them to provide proven therapeutic services. The national ‘Recovery and Resilience Programme for Children’ grant provided one-off funding of €1,000,000 for therapeutic community supports in 83 Family Resource Centres across Ireland. This included Cara House, Donegal and Downstrands Family Resource Centres

Donegal Minister Charlie McConalogue says he is liaising closely with the Minister for Education, Norma Foley, to secure approval for new building for Scoil Íosagáin in Buncrana, He says all that’s left to do is to secure the final approval and capital funding. Scoil Íosagáin is the largest primary school in Donegal with over 750

Today marks International Women’s Day and Midlands North West MEP Maria Walsh is calling for the creation of the first ever EU Female Founders’ Fund. The Fine Gael MEP wants to establish the project through the European Investment Fund in a bid to eradicate the gender credit gap that exists for female-owned businesses. It would

All applicants for Tranche 2 of the ACRE scheme will be accepted, around 10% of those are in Donegal. It means an additional 100,000 hectares of land will be brought into meaningful environmental action. Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue says following negotiations with the Minister for Finance, he’s please to see the scheme grow:

The Saolta Group, which includes Letterkenny University Hospital has announced a partnership with University College Cork for their Radiography programme. The MSc Diagnostic Radiography course at UCC offers an accelerated route for graduates from any health science or science related discipline to gain a recognised qualification in Diagnostic Radiography. As part of a Memorandum of

Voters go to the polls tomorrow for two referendums on the issues of family and care. The first change would expand the definition of a family to include “other durable relationships.” The second proposal would remove reference to a woman’s duties in the home, and add new text to acknowledge care given by other family

  The North’s Education Minister is being urged to visit Arvalee School and Resource Centre in Omagh, the only which is currently located on the Strule Shared Education Campus site in the town. Last week, the school’s principal Johnny Grey hosted a group of political and community representatives to showcase the school, and highlight the

Sheep continue to be in danger due to the lack of action from the Government to stop dog attacks on farms. That’s the view of the Irish Farmers Assocation who are highlighting their issue with a ‘No Dogs Allowed’ Campaign. They say sheep at this time of year are particularly at risk from wild dogs

The Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council says intervention is vital to secure the future of businesses. Councillor Martin Harley says a 30% increase in running costs is forcing business owners to use up personal savings to sustain their business. He fears many businesses will be forced to shut their doors over the coming months. Councillor

The Government’s ‘Housing for All’ strategy has been blamed for an 85% increase in the number of families homeless in the North West. During statements on a Labour Party motion on housing targets and regulation, Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle says the initiative has been an incredible failure. He told the Dail that the shortage of

The Dail has been told that recent figures show a couple in Donegal would need a combined income of €80,000 to be able to afford a mortgage for a three bedroom semi detached house, but anyone with an income of over €30,000 is ineligible for inclusion on social housing lists. Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn said it’s

The North’s Infrastructure Minister has appealed to anyone considering another legal challenge to the A5 to think very carefully about their actions. Speaking during an Assembly debate, Minister John O’Dowd said he intends to make an announcement shortly following the latest public inquiry. He outlined the numerous appeals, challenges, and inquiries which have characterised the

The cost of cutting trees damaged by Storm Isha in Donegal earlier this year was €125,000. The storm caused much disruption in the county with trees torn down and roads blocked. Donegal County Council has confirmed that they submitted costs to the Department which has to date proved unsuccessful. Councillor Patrick McGowan believes some responsibility

An Inishowen Councillor is seeking an urgent meeting with the HSE to discuss the future of the SRU unit in Carndonagh. The HSE previously announced a reconfiguration of mental health residential services in Donegal which would see residents at the facility in Carndonagh relocated to centres elsewhere in the county. A previous meeting was held

Picket lines are forming outside hospitals and GP surgeries across Northern Ireland – as junior doctors walk out for the first time in history. The 24 hour strike over pay and conditions is just getting underway – and will result in thousands of cancelled operations and appointments. Dr Fiona Griffin is chair of BMA’s Northern

The country’s housing policy is an ‘omnishambles’. That’s according to the Labour Party which is filing a Dail motion today calling for a rent-freeze and an end to ‘no fault’ evictions. The party’s Deputy Duncan Smith says the government’s ‘lost the plot’ on housing:

Letterkenny is one of 12 communities across Ireland set to benefit from a new project aimed at preventing problem drinking by young people. The Building Safer Communities initiative is being launched today. Alcohol Forum Ireland said it will take alcohol prevention lessons from the WHO and will aim to implement them in an Irish context.