Author name: highlandnews

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.

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

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%

Snow has already arrived in some parts of Donegal. A status yellow low temperature and ice warning has been issued for the country. It’ll come into effect at 7 o’clock this evening and remain in place until 11 o’clock tomorrow morning. It warns of icy patches and freezing fog patches locally. There may be a

Arctic air over the country means we can expect crisp sunny weather with the risk of snow showers in the northwest. Cold northerly air coming in over the sea will bring sub zero temperatures across the country leading to flurries around Ulster. Carlow weather’s Alan O’Reilly says there is the chance of snow showers elsewhere

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

  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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Transport Minister says the Government is committed to deliver the TEN-T road project. The infrastructure development has been in the offing for many years with renewed calls for the need for the Bonagee Link relief road in Letterkenny to get off the ground. The TEN-T project is expected to come before Cabinet shortly and

The Government plans to extend the scope of apprentice programmes, with almost 100 courses to choose from this year. 17 new apprenticeships are expected to come on stream in 2024, with civil engineering, firefighting and robotics just some of the disciplines added to the list. A record number of people signed up for trades last

Trade Unions stand ready to initiate industrial action, if a pay deal resolution cannot be reached. Union members would have to be balloted before any strike is called, with the wording of ballots already finalised, after a package worth 2.9 billion euro was rejected by trade union representatives on the grounds of not being sufficient

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

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

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

The Green Party Leader says he would prefer a general election early next year. There has been increasing speculation about the possibility of a poll late this year with Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty this week expressing his hope that an election will take place this year. Eamon Ryan has indicated he would be prepared to

Graffiti in Letterkenny is said to be getting out of hand. Donegal County Council is facing calls to tackle the ongoing defacing of road signs and buildings in the town. There has been a noted increase in religious references being painted around Letterkenny. While a clean up is underway, Councillor Jimmy Kavanagh believes more action

The latest ESRI report revealing Donegal to have the highest need for long-term residential care beds in the country is further evidence of worsening regional imbalances, according to a South Donegal Deputy. Deputy Marian Harkin says she has repeatedly urged the Government to intervene to secure sufficient long term care capacity in the North West.

High patient numbers at hospitals are having an impact on waiting times for ambulances. SIPTU is calling for urgent investment into services, to prevent patients waiting for significant lengths of time for an ambulance. It’s after an elderly patient with a broken hip waited over four hours for one in the south west of the

The opening hours of Killybegs Garda Station are being extended with the employment of an administrator. Concerns were previously raised over the station’s lack of public opening hours, giving the perception that it was closed with people experiencing difficulties in accessing it. The administrator is employed on a four days on, four days off basis.