Author name: highlandnews

The decision of eleven consultants at Letterkenny University Hospital to write to the Health Minister about the crisis there has been welcomed by GPs in the county, 78 of whom signed a letter to the minister last week expressing similar concerns. The letter from the consultants expresses serious concerns over the operation of the Emergency

Many older people find it hard to meet one-off costs as they get older. Age Action’s new report shows older people highly value the State pension, but many still struggle. Three in 10 of those aged 66 and over rely on social protection for over 90 per cent of their income, and four in 10

An Inishowen councillor is predicting that within a matter of months, families with homes affected by defective blocks will be moving in to hotels while their homes are being rebuilt. Cllr Jack Murray says there is a serious shortage of housing in the peninsula, and in Buncrana in particular. He says this is pushing up

The need for foster parents is at an all-time high, due to the increased demand of children’s needs. That’s the warning from Tusla, as it launches its National Fostering Week today. Ireland is one of the world leaders in foster care, with almost 4 thousand foster carers opening their homes to over 5 thousand children.

Donegal County Council is being asked to erect more warning signage on roads that are widely used by cyclists in the Letterkenny Milford area. The issue was raised at a recent Municipal District meeting by Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh. Officials told members that signage is erected along designated cycle routes across the district, and as more

Labour is calling on the Health Minster to address the Dáil this week about the crisis in healthcare funding. It comes in the wake of an extended recruitment freeze within the HSE, with a potential nationwide strike in the community and voluntary sector looming. Labour’s Health Spokesperson Duncan Smith says people feel deceived after the

The government is being warned to reign in its spending after what’s been described as a ‘giveaway’ Budget last week. The 14 billion euro package – which included a host of cost of living supports and tax cuts – breached the government’s own rule of not increasing spending by 5 per cent. It has led

To mark International Stuttering Awareness Day today, the Irish Stammering Association is hosting a series of events throughout the week. There will be an Adult Support Group meeting this Tuesday at 7pm which will be held online. In Ireland, around 5 percent of children experience stammering, which typically resolves on its own. However, around 1

RTÉ is being urged not to let the government attention on the broadcaster go to waste. Director General Kevin Bakhurst revealed this week that RTÉ will run out of money by spring if it doesn’t receive a government bailout. It’s facing a 21 million euro drop in TV licence revenue by the end of this

A peaceful rally has taken place in Letterkenny at the Station Roundabout in support of the people in Gaza. Over 100 people took part in the protest, demanding freedom for Palestine and an end to what they called ‘Israeli apartheid’ . Meanwhile, Israeli officials say people fleeing northern Gaza will be given safe passage until

A Donegal TD recently met with representatives of the Irish Wheelchair Association to discuss the impact of the worker’s strike which will take place next week. Workers who provide vital services such as disability care and homeless support, will be going on strike. Thomas Pringle TD says that the strike is a reminder of the

The Health Minister’s decision to make cut backs within the HSE will lead to “catastrophic” consequences, according to Sinn Féin. €22.5 billion was set aside for healthcare in last week’s Budget, with reports that Minister Stephen Donnelly had sought much more. A recruitment freeze has been imposed for a range of staff, including junior doctors

Thousands of Irish rugby fans will be making their way to the Stade De France in the coming hours for Ireland’s world cup showdown with the All Blacks in the world cup quarter final. As many as 30 thousand supporters will be at the game this evening. Extra flights were laid on from Dublin Airport

The HSE recruitment freeze expansion to include junior doctors is deeply disappointing. That’s the view of the Irish Medical Organisation which is seeking an urgent meeting with the HSE over what they say is a dangerous decision. It says junior doctors have been working illegal working hours for years and this will put even more

Clocks on the façade of the Central Library Letterkenny are to repaired and set to the right time in the coming weeks, while the clock at An Grianan Theatre was set to the right time last week. The issue was raised this week by Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh, who told Letterkenny Milford Municipal District that four

Budget 2024 has taken baby steps forward when a giant leap was needed for young children in Donegal. That’s according to Early Childhood Ireland in response to new changes in the recent Budget in relation to the needs of younger children. Teresa Heeney, CEO of Early Childhood Ireland organisation says that there is disappointment at

Tax cuts and one off cost of living and social welfare payments in the budget were ‘progressive’, according to the ESRI. It says the measures outlined this week should support households with price rises next year. The body also found lower income households will benefit more from the budget. Social Democrats Social Protection Spokesperson, Gary

Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty has voiced his concerns for the Defence Forces. Each year, more people leave the Defence Forces than join. Speaking in the Dáil, Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty said that the recent Budget has failed to deliver the investment required by Defence Forces in the country:  

The government has ben accused of massaging last year’s fisheries and seafood sector allocations in the budget, leading to a 50% drop in the provisions announced this week for 2024. Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn says last year’s allocation was €337.45 million, this year’s is €176.9 million. He says last year’s figure included the EU Brexit Adjustment

The Garda Representative Association isn’t convinced the raising of the age limit for joining An Garda Síochána will tackle recruitment and retention issues. It’s being raised from 35 to 50, and the Justice Minister has said it’s to give as many people as possible the opportunity to apply. The Garda fitness test is also going

  Donegal County Council could soon be using smart ringbouys and life rings after a trial in Dublin identified three products deemed to be suitable for use in Ireland. Embedded chips monitor the life rings, and the council is notified immediately if they are moved or tampered with. Responding to a question from Cllr Jimmy

Short term measures are needed in Letterkenny to address the gridlock being experienced in Letterkenny on a regular basis. That’s the view of Cllr Gerry McMonagle, who wants the National Tran sport Authority to visit the town and see what extra resources can be provided to help with the implementation of the Transport Plan for

A West Donegal councillor has told a special meeting of Donegal County Council that while there is not an issue of rough sleepers in the county, the problem of silent homelessness needs to be recognised for what it is. Cllr Marie Therese Gallagher says that increasing numbers of families are left with no other option