Author name: highlandnews

Budget 2024 – Government has failed to address regional imbalance – Harkin

The Dail has been told that the budget has failed to address the imbalance between the West and North West and the rest of the country South Donegal Deputy Marian Harkin said she was beyond disappointed at the budget, pointing out that the Northern and Western Regional Assembly had made a comprehensive pre-budget submission, calling […]

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Fuel prices up this morning despite suspension of excise duty increases

Overnight increases to the carbon tax means petrol and diesel prices have risen again this morning. Yesterday, the Government decided to defer the re-instatement of excise duty rises until April and August of next year. However, a jump in the carbon tax in the budget means petrol prices are up 2 cents a litre while

Fuel prices up this morning despite suspension of excise duty increases Read More »

DCU conference celebrating role of community groups in GFA

The Northern Ireland peace process would not have happened without the work and support of community organisations in the North and the United States. The role played by such groups in the Good Friday Agreement will be recognised as part of a major conference hosted by Dublin City University which gets underway today. Prof John

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Temporary road closures at Urbalreagh for the rest of this week

Donegal County Council are warning drivers of a temporary road closure affecting the L1061, Malin Head to Glengad Road The road will close at Urbalreagh from the junction at Black Mountain Road to the junction at Drenagh Road from 8am to 6pm today, tomorrow and Friday. Road users are recommended to travel via Black Mountain

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Council urged to bring in external OTs to address Adaptation Grant backlog

Donegal County Council is being urged to bring in some Occupational Therapists from outside of the HSE to address a delay in the processing of Housing Adaptation Grant Applications that are being delayed because there aren’t enough OTs to assess the homes and provide reports. The motion was moved at Letterkenny Milford Municipal District by

Council urged to bring in external OTs to address Adaptation Grant backlog Read More »

McMonagle urges DCC to consider buying Ballymacool houses as special housing meeting takes place in Lifford

Donegal County Council meets in special session today to discuss housing. It follows a three hour discussion on the issue at the September monthly meeting. Meanwhile, after eviction notices were served on 19 households in Ballymacool in Letterkenny, to council is being urged to look into the possibility of buying the houses with the tenants

McMonagle urges DCC to consider buying Ballymacool houses as special housing meeting takes place in Lifford Read More »

Donegal Deputy says Budget 2024 fails to address housing crisis

The Government has unveiled a €6.4 billion Budget package for 2024. It includes tax cuts, increases to a box of cigarettes, and cuts to the costs of childcare. The average worker will be €780 euro better off after a number of income tax measures were announced by Michael McGrath. €5.3 billion has been committed in

Donegal Deputy says Budget 2024 fails to address housing crisis Read More »

Letterkenny Milford Municipal District pay respects on World Mental Health Day

Members of Letterkenny Milford Municipal District have urged anyone experiencing mental health difficulties to seek help. The issue was raised in the chamber this afternoon by Mayor Cllr Kevin Bradley, who said the area has lost too many people as a result of mental health issues, two of them very recently. Cllr Bradley raised the

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€31 million water works to progress in Buncrana

Uisce Éireann, working in partnership with Donegal County Council, are progressing works in Buncrana as part of a €31 million investment to upgrade the wastewater infrastructure in Buncrana, Ballybofey and Stranorlar. As a result there will be a planned outage tomorrow from 6pm until midnight. The sewerage scheme will result in significant improvements to water

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Former Assistant Manager at LUH says management would welcome ED review sought by GPs

A former Assistant General Manager at Letterkenny University Hospital says he management and consultants at the hospital would welcome the review of the Emergency Department being sought by Donegal’s GPs, 78 of whom signed a letter to the Health Minister this week. The letter calls for a review of the hospital services, a visit to

Former Assistant Manager at LUH says management would welcome ED review sought by GPs Read More »

Gardai note increase in firework incidents as a house in Letterkenny is attacked

Gardai say there’s been a sharp increase in the number of incidents involving fireworks being reported this year, and are warning their use could lead to large fines or up to five years in prison. It follows an incident in which a firework was thrown into the letterbox of a house at Dr McGinley Road

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GRA happy with interim roster – Brendan O’Connor

The GRA has welcomed the new interim roster for their members following yesterday’s meeting with Garda officials. Management met all four Garda Associations on Monday to try and resolve the issue over rosters that lead to threats of industrial action from members earlier this month. Following yesterday’s meeting, the sides struck a deal that would

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IPH calls for health to be at the forefront of public policy

The Institute of Public Health says a healthier and more resilient economy is possible in Donegal if the government puts health at the heart of public policy. The institute, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this month, says the fact that it is a North/South agency recognises that a geographical border offers no protection against disease

IPH calls for health to be at the forefront of public policy Read More »

PSNI appeal for information following chemist thefts in Strabane and Castlederg

Police are appealing for information and witnesses following recent thefts from chemists in Castlederg and Strabane over the weekend. It’s believed two men aged in their mid 20s-30s  were involved in three separate reports. It was reported on Saturday afternoon  shortly after twenty five to two, two men entered a chemist in the John Street

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Derry City and Strabane District Council issue Halloween costume safety advice

Derry City and Strabane District Council is appealing to the public to heed the warnings about the potential risks posed by children’s Halloween costumes and accessories. The campaign led by the Council’s Environmental Health Team says its important that parent’s check for the CE mark. They have put together a list of some potential risks

Derry City and Strabane District Council issue Halloween costume safety advice Read More »

Interim roster for Gardaí to come into effect

An interim roster for Gardaí will come into place shortly following a meeting between senior Garda management and all four Garda associations this morning. It was also agreed that the associations, within a short period of time, will “engage with Garda management in internal negotiations on a new roster.” The Garda Representative Association confirmed last

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Uisce Eireann working to fix burst water mains in Dungloe and Ballybofey

Uisce Eireann says repairs to a burst water main in Dungloe today may cause supply disruptions to premises on Quay Road and surrounding areas. Works are scheduled to take place until 5pm this evening. Meanwhile, in Ballybofey, repairs to a burst water main may cause supply disruptions to Carn View, Glencovitt, and surrounding areas with

Uisce Eireann working to fix burst water mains in Dungloe and Ballybofey Read More »

41 admitted patients awaiting beds at LUH as Regional Health Forum member backs GP intervention

There were 41 admitted patients awaiting beds at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning, the third highest figure in the country after Limerick with 102 and VCprk with 51. Of the Letterkenny total, 14 of them were on Emergency Department trolleys. There were 34 patients awaiting beds at Sligo University Hospital, 19 of them in the

41 admitted patients awaiting beds at LUH as Regional Health Forum member backs GP intervention Read More »

DCC being asked to prioritise Bonagee Link with TII as Ten-T projects progress

Donegal County Council is being asked to prioritise the Bonagee Link in discussions with Transport Infrastructure Ireland on the implementation of the Ten-T project, which includes roads from Letterkenny to Manorcunningham, Manorcunningham to Lifford, and Lifford to the border linking with the A5 in Strabane. Cllr Michael McBride will tell a meeting of Letterkenny Municipal

DCC being asked to prioritise Bonagee Link with TII as Ten-T projects progress Read More »

Update – 78 Donegal GPs write to Health Minister outlining concerns over LUH’s Emergency Department

78 Donegal GPs have written to the Health Minister calling for urgent action at Letterkenny University Hospital’s Emergency Department. Describing the system as broken, the letter asks Minister Stephen Donnelly to meet with GPs locally along with Saolta management to discuss how to address the situation. They have concerns over patient safety in the Emergency

Update – 78 Donegal GPs write to Health Minister outlining concerns over LUH’s Emergency Department Read More »

Banks urged to follow through on supports for defective block homeowners

Ireland’s three main banks must offer real financial support to defective block homeowners, according to a Fine Gael MEP. Bank of Ireland, AIB and Permanent TSB are willing to offer millions of euro in zero-interest loans to those trying to rebuild their homes, according to reports in the Business Post. Proposals reached following discussions with

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Blood donation clinics in Donegal today until Thursday

Donegal towns will have the opportunity to donate blood this week. Blood donation clinics will be set up in Killybegs, Donegal Town and Letterkenny from today until Thursday. Dublin Donor Services Manager Aisling O’Brien has more:   See below for more information on Donegal blood donation clinic times….. 09/10/2023 -Killybegs, Co. Donegal, Tara Where: Hotel

Blood donation clinics in Donegal today until Thursday Read More »

Final stage of Peaceplus Action Plan will be held in Letterkenny this week

Donegal County Council will hold the final stage 3 of the Peaceplus Action Plan this Wednesday. The public consultation will take place in the Letterkenny Public Service Centre and follows on from previous Stage 3 workshops in each Municipal District which presented the findings of the returned concept forms and survey. Peaceplus is a new

Final stage of Peaceplus Action Plan will be held in Letterkenny this week Read More »

Sligo TD Martin Kenny urges road users to abide by road safety measures and recommends a multi-agency approach

Sinn Féin spokesperson for Transport and Communications TD Martin Kenny has extended his condolences to communities across the country, after four deaths occurred on the country’s roads in the past 36 hours. The TD for the Sligo-Leitrim constituency says that there is no single thing that will resolve this issue. TD Martin Kenny advises that

Sligo TD Martin Kenny urges road users to abide by road safety measures and recommends a multi-agency approach Read More »

Suggested social welfare €2 increase deemed not enough for people facing homelessness

The suggested social welfare increase of 10 to 12 euro will not be enough for people who are facing homelessness. That’s the view of Focus Ireland CEO, Pat Dennigan, who says prices are increasing at the same time. Proposals for Budget 2024 include tax cuts and ‘once-off’ cost of living payments to help struggling households.

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Donegal County Councillor welcomes appointment of new contractor to carry out works at Arbatt Bridge

A Donegal County Councillor has confirmed that Triur Construction Ltd. have been appointed to carry out works at Arbatt Bridge. The contractor will be onsite within the next couple of weeks. Works are weather dependent and may run into the new year. Stranorlar Municipal District Councillor Pat McGowan highlights the importance of the route for

Donegal County Councillor welcomes appointment of new contractor to carry out works at Arbatt Bridge Read More »

Mica-affected homeowners to receive zero-interest finance according to proposal submitted by banks

Ireland’s three main banks are offering to pay out millions of euro in interest-free loans to mica homeowners. The Business Post reports that AIB, Bank of Ireland and Permanent TSB have submitted a proposal to the Department of Housing to offer zero-interest finance to assist affected homeowners. The government has launched a 3 billion euro

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Calls for the Government to implement range of cost of living measures in Labour Alternative Budget

The government will be judged on whether it helps households through this winter and if it chooses to help those who have the least. That’s the claim from the Labour Party as it launches its pre-budget submissions. Labour finance spokesperson Ged Nash has urged the Government to implement the range of cost of living measures

Calls for the Government to implement range of cost of living measures in Labour Alternative Budget Read More »