Author name: highlandnews

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

Donegal Senator Niall Blaney has given a guarded welcome to the news that Donegal will be a stand alone garda division. The senator had talks with Minister James Browne in the Seanad back in June, in which he raised a number of concerns regarding policing in the county. He says the first battle is won

NBI and Údarás na Gaeltachta have announced a partnership to support the rollout of broadband in Gaeltacht areas. Údarás is providing parcels of land at key locations for the installation of the core fibre optic equipment to facilitate the delivery of the service.   CEO Thomás O’Siochan says they will provide whatever assistance they can

The chair of Letterkenny Pride says while it’s taken a long time to organise a Pride event in the town, the level of support coming from local businesses and others shows that there is and has been a demand for such an initiative. A parade and other events will take place in Letterkenny tomorrow as

A man’s been arrested in County Derry in connection with criminality linked to PSNI data breach In a statement, the PSNI say detectives investigating criminality linked to last week’s freedom of information data breach have carried out a search in the Dungiven area today, and made an arrest. The 50 year old man was detained

The forthcoming US President Election became a topic of conversation at the MacGill Summer School last night after Congressman Brendan Boyle, a Democrat with strong Donegal connections delivered the annual John Hume lecture. During the question and answer session after the lecture, Congressmann Boyle was asked if he would consider throwing his name into the

Met Eireann is urging take people to care today with Yellow Rain Warnings covering the whole country. The first, covering the area south of Galway Dublin line will kick in at 2 o’clock this afternoon. Donegal and the rest of the country will be affected from 5 o’clock this evening, with heavy rain and possible

The 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement and the Omagh Bomb is a reminder of how far Ireland has come in terms of peace. That’s according to US Congressman Brendan Boyle who has described the Omagh bomb as a “cruel, heinous, disgusting attack.” Tuesday marked 25 years since 29 people, including a woman pregnant

The EU Commissioner says they cannot move forward with the European Green Deal without farmers. Speaking at this week’s MacGill Summer School in Glenties, Commissioner Mairead McGuinness acknowledged that farmers are anxious about their future. The European Green Deal is a €1 trillion programme which commits Europe to become climate neutral by 2050. Commissioner McGuinness

An East Derry MLA has been in repeat contact with the NI Environment Agency over concerns of the occurrences of toxic algae along the Derry coastline. Incidents were recorded at Castlerock, Portstewart, Benone and Downhill. MLA Caoimhe Archibald says that there is a clear need for action on water quality and it should be treated

Works to reconstruct the footpath outside St. Eunan’s College in Letterkenny are set to commence in the coming week. The footpath, which deformed due to the pressure of cars and busses dropping students off to school, is currently sealed off as a health and safety measure. Cllr. Donal Mandy Kelly has welcome the development and

A status yellow rain warning will take effect tomorrow in Donegal and all other counties in the Republic of Ireland. The warning will begin at 5 o’clock tomorrow evening for the county and cease at 6am Saturday. There are warnings for potential spot flooding and difficult travelling conditions. Cathal Nolan from Ireland Weather Channel says

The MacGill Summer School has heard that China is not a supporter of Russia and does not support Putin’s threat of nuclear weapon use. Retired Colonel, Zhou Bo when asked if China was really on Russia’s side said; ‘no.’ He says in writing an article telling Putin to not use nuclear weapons that he was