Author name: highlandnews

A Letterkenny based councillor says the government must do more to provide Changing Places facilities for people with disabilities. Yesterday, on the Nine til Noon Show, a Donegal native who had returned on holiday with his daughter who is a wheelchair user, spoke of their frustration at the lack of facilities in the county and […]

This years’ #LoveDonegal day will take place in the coming weeks. Thursday, September 14th will be the designated day for anyone and everyone who has a connection to and an affinity for Donegal to their socials to proclaim their love for the county. The initiative has proved hugely successful in previous years reaching millions across

A West Tyrone MLA fears the closure of a Department of Infrastructure office in Strabane will result in another building lying derelict in the town. The Elmview Office on the Derry road is to close next month and staff relocated to the Jobs and Benefits Office in the town. Daniel McCrossan says the closure needs

The NCT is facing criticism for saying goodbye to cash. Over the coming months, cash payments will be phased out and replaced with card and postal order payments only. The NCT operator says it’s for the “safety and convenience” of its customers. However, it has face widespread backlash online, amid fears Ireland will soon become

The upcoming budget is Ireland’s last opportunity to meet its climate targets for 2030. Wind Energy Ireland is warning the government that significant investment in the planning system is urgently needed. A shortage of staff has resulted in backlog in An Bord Pleanála and has delayed critical renewable energy projects. CEO of Wind Energy Ireland,

The RTÉ payments controversy is back in spotlight at the Oireachtas Media Committee today. TDs and senators are meeting in a private session this morning, to discuss the second Grant Thornton report into governance issues at the broadcaster. It follows confirmation last week that Ryan Tubridy will not be returning to RTÉ in the near

There’s a reminder to college students they could save €500 on their college contribution fee. Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris says 8,000 students have already applied. Households with an annual income of less than 100,000 euro are eligible for the grant. Minister Harris posted this TikTok video aimed at students:   @simon_harristd

The Carrigans Tidy Towns committee has hit out at a vandalism incident on their installation at Pump Street which vandalised last week. On today’s Nine til Noon Show, Secretary Liam O’Donnell outlined how a large planter box was dragged into the pump, damaging both the box and the handle of the pump. He told Greg

Early Childhood Ireland says Donegal’s children are being let down because of a decades-long focus on providing childcare for economic reasons. The organisation, which has 115 member settings in Donegal, has called on the Government and policymakers to ‘completely rethink’ their approach to early years and school age care. CEO Teresa Heeney says the emphasis

Delays to the approval of some cancer drugs, means doctors cannot prescribe the appropriate treatment for one-in-four patients. Oncologists say it relates to high-cost anti-cancer drugs, such as immuno-therapies. At the moment, new drugs must go through an extensive HSE approval process once they’re initially approved by the European Medicines Agency, which takes around two

EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness says measures will be taken to ensure a European Budget that is fit for purpose will be passed, and that may mean elements of it being restructured. The European Budget is due to be reviewed this Autumn with a large allocation set to go to Ukraine. A warning was issued at

Social Justice Ireland have launched their latest briefing ‘Tracking Distributive Effects of Budget Policy – 2023 edition’. The briefing looks at the impact of the temporary Budget cost of living measures. There is now an increase in the Rich Poor Gap by almost €200 a year. Their analysis shows that the legacy of Government’s cost

Expanding the First Home Scheme to include those looking to build their own home would be a lifeline of support to young people. That’s according to the Fine Gael Spokesman on Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Senator John Cummins says it’s vital to include self builds.

Funding for early childhood education and care should be increased to 1% of GDP by 2029. That’s the view of Early Childhood Ireland, who have released their pre-budget submission today. The organisation is also calling for graduate premiums to be increased, to help recruit and retain recent graduates. Director of Policy at Early Childhood Ireland

It is time to evaluate progress of the National Broadband Plan to ensure targets are met. That’s the view of independent TD Sean Canney, who says the roll-out of the plan to all houses and premises needs to be accelerated. Figures from National Broadband Ireland show that only 27% of premises earmarked for fibre optic

Laya Healthcare has announced an average price increase of 3% across its schemes. The price review will come into effect in the beginning of October, and lead to an approximate extra €42 in annual costs for customers. Managing Director, Donal Clancy says the need for the added costs is due to a sustained increase in

4:12pm: Over and out from the 43rd MacGill Summer School 4:06pm: Séan Beattie, editor of the Donegal Annual, speaking in the launch reflected on an article previously written by the Director of the MacGill Summer School, Dr Joe Mullholland in which he commented on how the stormy landscape of Donegal provided a canvas for local

The Scottish Minister for Energy and the Environment says the “deep historical connection between Donegal and Scotland” reflects Ireland and Scotland’s shared ambitions for the future. Scotland is currently working on hydrogen power being key to achieving net-zero targets. Minister Gillian Martin believes hydrogen power could pose partnership opportunities for Ireland and Scotland. In terms

The Finance Minister says the Government stands behind public service broadcasting and is ready to provide interim funding in the budget. RTE has lost over €4 million in revenue in TV licence sales due to the ‘hidden payments’ scandal involving top presenter Ryan Tubridy. TV licences sales for the second week of August were just

Registrations have opened for the people of Donegal to take part in the Big Beach Clean 2023. The event is part of a global initiative with Clean Coasts and the International Coastal Cleanup. As well as receiving a free clean-up kit, participants will have the opportunity to submit data on the type of rubbish they

There has been public dismay in the Twin Towns as two well known walkways have been defaced with graffiti. Gort Scith and Drumboe Woods have been spray painted with messaging ranging from football slogans to IRA references. Frank Kelly played a major role in the development of Gort Scith. He called the act senseless and

It’s anticipated the Brian Friel Centre in Glenties will open in October 2025 to coincide with the tenth anniversary of the death of the renowned playwright. The Brian Friel Trust has signed a lease Agreement with Donegal County Council to establish a dedicated centre at the old Courthouse in Glenties while a stage set is to

When asked this evening at the MacGill Summer School if his party would enter into Government with Sinn Fein, Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue says it is too early to discuss the prospect. Polls have shown that the popularity of Sinn Fein has increased in Ireland over recent years. Fianna Fail Minister Charlie McConalogue however, says

The MacGill Summer School has been told that the Government has made an “absolute hames of the housing crisis,” making “mistake after mistake.” He says private landlords have been run out of the market by Government who have not used the powers that were available to them. Senator Michael McDowell says how the housing crisis