Author name: highlandnews

West Tyrone MLA says action is needed to improve NHS dental provision

West Tyrone MLA Maolíosa McHugh says that increasing difficulties being experienced by patients attempting to access NHS dental provision are highlighted by a Strabane mother being told that July of next year is the earliest date that an appointment could be offered for her children. Mr McHugh says a BBC investigation earlier this year found that

West Tyrone MLA says action is needed to improve NHS dental provision Read More »

NI Planning Appeals Commission delivers report on A5 public inquiry to DfI

There are calls for the publication of a key report on the A5 to allow work on the long awaited project begin as soon as possible. The Planning Appeals Commission has delivered its report to the Department for Infrastructure following the most recent public inquiry. West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan says it’s clear the redevelopment

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Gardai investigating Halloween Night incidents in Donegal Town and Carndonagh

Gardaí are appealing for information in relation to two incidents on Halloween night, one in Donegal Town, the other in Carndonagh. On the Community Garda Information Slot on today’s Nine til Noon Show, Sergeant Eunan Walshe told Greg Hughes that in the Donegal Town incident, a derelict factory was targeted…….

Gardai investigating Halloween Night incidents in Donegal Town and Carndonagh Read More »

Nitrates issue to dominate discussion during EU Environment Commissioner’s visit – McConalogue

The Agriculture Minister says nitrates derogation will be to the fore of discussions with the EU Environment Commissioner when he arrives here later this month. Charlie McConalogue says the commissioner will visit Ireland on November 23rd. It follows major rows between farming groups and the government over changes to the current limits, which will take

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Gardai investigate early morning break in at Letterkenny business premises

Gardaí are investigating a break-in at a business premises this morning on the Pearse Road in Letterkenny, close to the junction with Oliver Plunkett Road. The alarm was activated, and Gardaí were alerted to the fact that a burglary was in progress shortly before 6.20 this morning. Gardaí immediately attended the scene but nobody was

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Women in the West and North West have Ireland’s highest life expectancy

Women in the West and North West of Ireland have the highest life expectancy in the country. Figures from Eurostat show women in the region have a life expectancy of 84.9 on average, and while men have a life expectancy of 80.4, marginally below the Eastern and Midlands region. The life expectancy for women across

Women in the West and North West have Ireland’s highest life expectancy Read More »

Cabinet to debate restricting use of mobile phones in primary schools

    The Education Minister will seek cabinet backing today for moves to curtail the use of mobile phones in primary schools. Its understood Norma Foley’s plan does not amount to an all-out ban on the devices, but instead will seek the views of parents through schools surveys. In schools where a majority of parents

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HSE responds to public concerns about limited access to respite care at St Joseph’s Hospital

The HSE has responded to public concerns about respite care at St Joseph’s Hospital in Stranorlar. People in the Finn Valley say family members who traditionally received respite care at the facility are now being sent to private nursing homes in Letterkenny, while patients being discharged from Letterkennny University Hospital are being sent to St

HSE responds to public concerns about limited access to respite care at St Joseph’s Hospital Read More »

Donegal female entrepreneurs encourages to ‘Go for Growth’

Female entrepreneurs in Donegal are being called to apply for this years Go for Growth Programme. It’s the programme’s 16th year which helps business women to achieve their growth ambitions, build stronger companies, create new jobs and increase revenues. The initiative is supported by Enterprise Ireland and KPMG and has a deadline to apply is

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50% of Deis schools and gaelscoileanna report vacant teaching posts

There are over 800 teacher vacancies at schools across the country. A joint survey by the INTO, the Irish Primary Principals Network and the Catholic Primary Schools Management Association found 28 per cent of all schools have long term vacancies. However, the figure is 50 percent in DEIS schools and Gaelsoileanna, and 43 per cent

50% of Deis schools and gaelscoileanna report vacant teaching posts Read More »

McGowan wants answers on use of St Joseph’s for LUH step down care

A Finn Valley councillor says he wants answers from the HSE as to why people who traditionally received respite care at St Joseph’s Hospital in Stranorlar are now being referred to private nursing homes, while patients discharged from Letterkenny University Hospital are being sent to St Josephs for step down care. Cllr Patrick McGowan says

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BT Young Scientist Exhibition to feature 24 entries from Donegal, Derry and Tyrone

BT Ireland says the top themes emerging from the project entries for the 2024 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition are AI, diversity & inclusion and mental health. This January, 550 projects and hundreds of students will represent their schools and communities,  with 12 projects from seven schools in Donegal. They are Donegal Abbey Vocational

BT Young Scientist Exhibition to feature 24 entries from Donegal, Derry and Tyrone Read More »

Social Justice Ireland says failure to tackle child poverty now will create future problems

There are fresh calls for a living wage to help combat poverty. Social Justice Ireland says higher welfare rates and affordable State housing will help to eradicate childhood poverty. Spokesperson Susanne Rogers says we are building up problems for the future by not addressing poverty issues now……..  

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Taoiseach says last Covid lockdown may have been unnecessary

The Taoiseach has suggested the last Covid lockdown here in December of 2021, may not have been needed. Leo Varadkar says the draft terms of reference for the long-awaited Covid inquiry have now been cleared by the coalition leaders, but won’t compel Minister’s or advisors to disclose messages on their phones like is being done

Taoiseach says last Covid lockdown may have been unnecessary Read More »

Calls for defective block homeowners to be reimbursed after initial testing payments

The Chair of Donegal County Council’s Defective Concrete Block Committee is calling on the Housing Minister to ensure defective block homeowners who have paid for initial testing are reimbursed as a matter of urgency. Under the previous redress scheme, the householder was required to cover testing costs. It was however, understood that once the enhanced

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Health Minister announces plans to enable pharmacists to extend prescription validity from six months to a year

The Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has announced plans to enable pharmacists to extend the validity of prescriptions from the current maximum period of six months to one year. The new measure will take effect from the 1st of March next year and will allow prescribers to write prescriptions with a maximum validity of 12

Health Minister announces plans to enable pharmacists to extend prescription validity from six months to a year Read More »

NW included in pilot project supporting Traveller women who face homelessness

Donegal has been named as a successful location for projects which help Traveller women who are facing homelessness. The Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy Hildegarde Naughton has today announced the allocation of funding for these projects. The programme is a collaboration between the Department of Health, the HSE and the

NW included in pilot project supporting Traveller women who face homelessness Read More »

PSNI detectives appeal for information following report of a burglary in Maguiresbridge

PSNI Detectives are appealing for information following a report of a burglary at a property in Maguiresbridge over the weekend. It is believed that someone forced entry into a house in the Boyhill Park area between 2pm and midnight last night. The house was ransacked and a large sum of money was taken. A second

PSNI detectives appeal for information following report of a burglary in Maguiresbridge Read More »

Application deadline for next Deputy Garda Commissioner extended

A foreign national is likely to be appointed to oversee Ireland’s national intelligence service. The deadline for applications to become the next Deputy Garda Commissioner for Policing Operations has been extended, after no senior gardaí applied for the role. The Sunday Times reports the appointee would face a tax bill of 100 thousand euro upon

Application deadline for next Deputy Garda Commissioner extended Read More »

State’s new free IVF scheme deemed too inaccessible by Labour senator

Just 66 couples have been referred to the State’s new free IVF scheme since it launched in September. The programme covers the cost of one cycle of IVF treatment per couple, who must be referred through a HSE hub to a private provider. The Mail on Sunday reports that all 66 couples who’ve availed of

State’s new free IVF scheme deemed too inaccessible by Labour senator Read More »

Calls for restricted smartphone use for children in all primary schools nationwide

A voluntary code restricting smartphone use for children should be adopted by all primary schools and agreed to by parents. That’s the view of Fine Gael senator Tim Lombard, who says successful initiatives in Wicklow and Waterford should be replicated in all primary schools across the country. It comes as Education Minister Norma Foley plans

Calls for restricted smartphone use for children in all primary schools nationwide Read More »

Urgent action required for Rann na Mona due to regular flooding – Cllr Micheal Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig

A Donegal County Councillor has expressed his concerns for the regular flooding occurrences at Rann na Mona Road, Rann na Feirste. Cllr Micheal Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig says that it is vital for the area to receive emergency funding in order to address the current situation. Due to high tides, the road is inaccessible for

Urgent action required for Rann na Mona due to regular flooding – Cllr Micheal Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig Read More »

New Harps boss Darren Murphy set to use Irish League contacts

Darren Murphy is eagerly looking forward to his new role as manager of Finn Harps. He had been interim manager following the departure of Dave Rogers in September. He has signed a two-year-deal with the club. On Saturday Sport, Murphy spoke with Chris Ashmore about his new position, the support that he has received from

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Disappointment for McLaughlin at National Elite Boxing Championships

Raphoe Boxing Club’s Cathal McLaughlin was beaten on a 5-0 scoreline by Joshua Olaniyan of Dublin club Jobstown in the semi-finals of the 75kg weight division at the National Elite Boxing Championships held at the National Stadium. Meanwhile, Matthew McCole (Illies Golden Gloves) had walk-over in the 71kg division. Letterkenny BC’s Paddy McShane had to

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Browne-McMonagle just misses out in first race at Breeders’ Cup meeting

Donegal’s Dylan Browne McMonagle had a very positive start to his weekend at the prestigious Breeders’ Cup meeting at Santa Anita just outside Los Angeles. The 20-year-old Letterkenny jockey was second is on Mountain Bear for trainer  in the Prevagen Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf Grade One race for trainer AP O’Brien.  The race was won

Browne-McMonagle just misses out in first race at Breeders’ Cup meeting Read More »

Eamonn Mc Devitt, the founder of the Good and New Cancer Bus, has passed away

The death has taken place of Eamonn Mc Devitt, the founder of the Good and New Cancer Bus. Eamonn, from Newmills, passed away peacefully at Letterkenny University Hospital yesterday surrounded by his family. The Good and New service was founded 23 years ago helping many Donegal people, affected by Cancer,travel to Galway for treatment free

Eamonn Mc Devitt, the founder of the Good and New Cancer Bus, has passed away Read More »

Donegal RSWG advises extreme caution for road users this wintertime

The Donegal Road Safety Working Group (DRSWG) is appealing to all road users to be cautious this wintertime. Extreme caution is advised for motorists to be aware of vulnerable road users as the clocks go back by an hour and wintertime begins this weekend. Summertime officially ends tomorrow morning, as the time observed by Ireland

Donegal RSWG advises extreme caution for road users this wintertime Read More »