Author name: highlandnews

Electric Ireland cut electricity and gas prices

Electric Ireland, the country’s largest energy suppler, has this morning announced it’s second price reduction for over 1.1 million people this winter. It’s reducing residential electricity and gas prices by 8% and 7% respectively effective from March 1st. It means Electric Ireland’s residential electricity customers will save an average of €152.78 and its residential gas

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Rise in recruitment opportunities in Donegal for 2023

Donegal is one of six counties which saw a rise in recruitment opportunities last year. It’s thought employment opportunities will grow by 8% in 2024. On a regional level, 20 of the 26 counties experienced a decline, however, Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Tipperary and Wicklow seen the opposite. Lynn McCormack, General Manager with FRS Recruitment,

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Eyes have been taken off the ball with Hate Crime legislation – Senator Flynn

A Donegal Senator says eyes have been taken off the ball in terms of Hate Crime legislation. Senator Eileen Flynn says that Travellers and other minority groups have been calling for this legislation for years and it can’t be something that is left on the back burner. While the Senator says she has heard concerns

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Over a third of hospital consultants have signed up to new public-only contract

Just over a third of hospital consultants have now signed up to the new public-only contract. Under the Sláintecare deal, consultants can be asked to work 8am to 10pm on weekdays, and 8am to 6pm on Saturdays. 4,235 consultants are currently working in the public health service – an increase of 985 since December 2019.

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Carrigans Tidy Towns appeal for information follow collision with two walls

Carrigans Tidy Towns Comittee has issued an appeal for information after two walls were damaged. On social media the group said the destruction happened on Friday beside Murray Tiles. There are tyre tracks on the grass as well as some debris with walls on opposite sides of the road collapsed. A spokesperson says that all

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Government must pay attention to Donegal tourism industry – Cllr. Niamh Kennedy

Decimating tourism, depleting the housing stock and exhausting local services, are some of the complaints surrounding the housing of asylum seekers in Donegal. Figures from the Department of Integration show the county has the highest number of international protection applicants per capita, and second highest overall in Ireland. One in every 100 people in Donegal

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Campaign to tackle false information on immigration to be established

A campaign is to be set up to tackle false information around immigration in Ireland. Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman has made the comments after a poll revealed how poorly the public thinks the Government is handling the situation here. Almost three quarters of people believe the level of immigration is too high, while only 3%

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Loretto Letterkenny among awardees at BT Young Scientist Exhibition

Eight awards have been given to Donegal Students at the BT Young Scientist Awards yesterday evening. This includes a group from Letterkenny who placed 3rd in the senior group for Chemical, Physical and Mathematical Sciences. Siobhan O’Brien and Ciara Mc Dermott, students in the group, studied the impact on pH on defective concrete blocks with

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Derry Chamber CEO says agreement with Causeway Chamber will benefit the whole North West

The Derry and Causeway Chambers of Commerce have agreed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on issues affecting the membership of both bodies. This agreement between the two Chambers sets out a common framework for working together to represent the interests of businesses across the North West and Causeway regions, and follows the signing of

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Meeting with minister was interesting and constructive – Harley

  The Cathaoirleach of Donegal Council says members and officials had a constructive two hour meeting with Transport and Environment Leader Eamonn Ryan last evening. Cllr Martin Harley says they had a lengthy discussion on planning issues along the N56, and Minister Ryan has agreed to receive a delegation in the coming weeks to discuss

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Government demanding cast iron guarantees from banks and insurance companies regarding remediated homes

The government will be insisting on cast iron guarantees from banks and insurance companies that homes remediated and rebuilt under the Defective Block Scheme will be fully mortgageable and insurable. Members of the Banking and Insurance Redress Group attended a meeting last evening with the Sub-Group established by the Department of Housing to examine issues

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SEAI and government looking at building regulations anomaly in Defective Blocks Scheme

Environment Minister Eamon Ryan has said Sustainable Energy Ireland is looking to introduce a mechanism whereby people whose homes are being remediated or rebuilt because of defective blocks can apply for energy efficiency grants. Earlier this month, the Mica Action Group highlighted an anomaly whereby social homes affected will be subject to an end to

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Donegal libraries will continue to offer ETB Digital Hub services

The Library Service in Donegal has confirmed that they will continue to offer digital hubs this year in conjunction with the county’s ETB. Tutors will be on hand to help people with their devices and offer advice about getting online and accessing digital services. The service will be available on Tuesday afternoons at the Central

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TUI claims deal to treat Technological Universities equally is not being adhered to

A teacher’s union warned the Technological University sector could fall into a rural and urban divide. The comment after the TUI’s announced it’s balloting it’s third level members on industrial action. They believe the Department of Education is not adhering to the collective agreement to give all technological universities access to the same resources. David

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Information evening on rhododendron to take place in Dunlewey tonight

An information evening on a pilot project to tackle the invasive rhododendron in Donegal is being held this evening. Cairde na hEaragaile has secured funding to undertake a pilot rhododendron control project which will see an action plan developed. The meeting gets underway at 7:30pm in Dunlewey’s Community Centre. Project Officer, Josephine Kelly says the

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Letterkenny doctors warn hospitals and GP surgeries are ‘creaking at the seams’

A Donegal doctor has warned that hospitals, like GP surgeries, are creaking at the seams with the unprecedented number of patients presenting with respiratory tract infections. It comes as health services in the North West are once again urging people to consider all care options as Emergency Departments face sustained pressure. Dr Ciaran Roarty of

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Donegal receive €450,000 in CLÁR funding

Donegal is to receive a €450,000 share of €6.2 million CLÁR funding announced today. Nine projects in the county will each receive €50,000. The funding will go towards developing a sensory garden by the Laghey Development Committee, re-roofing a Men’s Shed workshop in Portnoo and enhancing an existing woodland walk in Rathmullan. Minister for Rural

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National Development Plan may have “underestimated what is needed” -ESRI

The National Development Plan may have “underestimated what is needed” to deal with challenges around housing, health and climate change. An ESRI report also states the Government “faces a dilemma” when it comes to investment in public infrastructure. The Economic and Social Research Institute argues while the 2018 NDP, and the revised version in 2021,

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West Donegal councillor calls for a radical rethink on social housing policy

A West Donegal Councillor is welcoming confirmation that a 43 unit social housing scheme in Dungloe has gone to tender, but says this will only scratch the surface of the need that exists in the Glenties Municipal District and elsewhere in Donegal. Cllr Michael Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig says there needs to be a radical

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Opening of Creeslough Community Hub is part of a journey of healing – CCI

The Creeslough Community Association says the opening today of the new community hub in the village is a very important day. The former Cope Hardware building had been closed is hosting a number of groups and services after investment from the Creeslough Community Initiative. It is anticipated the current location on the main street will

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Public sector unions unhappy with government proposals on pay

Public sector unions say a pay offer handed down by the Government last night failed to meet their demands around inflation. Talks ended at around three o’clock this morning, without an agreement. Unions say the first offer from Government sparked a reaction of “shock.” In an email to members this afternoon, Fórsa says this would

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All routes on council gritting programme to be treated from 7pm tonight

  Gritters will be on the roads in Donegal from 7pm this evening, with all roads on the council’s winter programme to be treated. Temperature are forecast to fall to -2 degrees in places tonight.   ALL Donegal Winter Maintenance designated gritting routes will be gritted from 7PM on Thu. 11/01. Donegal gritting route index

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Pat the Cope Gallagher doesn’t rule himself out of running in general election

Pat the Cope Gallagher says he’s not seeking a nomination to run in the European Election on the basis that he didn’t want to split the vote in Donegal. The former MEP and Doengal Deputy made Fianna Fail aware of his decision in recent days. He says he instead, urged the party to support Donegal

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