Author name: highlandnews

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 […]

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

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

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

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

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

  Unveiling Budget 2024, Minister Michael McGrath said he’s acutely aware that many household budgets are stretched at the moment. In light of continued high inflation, a cost of living package worth €2.7 million has been announced, along with an income tax package worth €1.3 billion. That will see the higher rate of income tax

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

Gardai are investigating an incident in which a man was attacked and robber in Buncrana on Friday evening last. A male was assaulted by two others. On the Community Garda Slot during today’s Nine til Noon Show, Sergeant Eunan Walsh made this appeal for information……..

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

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

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

The number of Gardaí policing the roads has fallen by 36% in fourteen years. Back in 2009, there were 1046, while this year there are 676. Four people died in separate road accidents over the weekend, bringing to 143 the number of fatalities on Irish roads so far this year. Aontú leader Peadar Toibin, who

The smear test results of around 17,000 women in Northern Ireland are going to be re-checked. It comes as part of a review of cervical screening at the Southern Trust – dating back to 2008. It was called after concerns were raised by laboratory staff last year. Chloe Gibson has more:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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