Author name: highlandnews

The Government is being urged to allow women undergoing cancer treatment defer their maternity leave. A campaign called “Leave our Leave” is being launched by the Irish Cancer Society today. It says legislation in its current form affects up to 60 women every year, and it has been described as “unfair”. At present, men can

Despite being the 6th largest hospital in Ireland, Letterkenny University Hospital is not given a fair allocation of resources. That’s according to Donegal Deputy Padraig Mac Lochlainn. He addressed the Taoiseach yesterday, to question if Government will support the plan launched by the hospitals management. In his response Leo Varadkar said while he has not

Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle is calling on the Irish Government to engage in proper consultations with communities prior to the arrival of refugees.While speaking in Strasbourg for the plenary session of the Council of Europe, he says simple acts should be included in the draft resolution on the integration of migrants and refugees: benefits for

A safeguarding expert from overseas is to be appointed to help the government in improving care standards at nursing homes. It’s after an unpublished report suggested a sexual assault at a HSE-run facility in 2020 was not a once-off. A healthcare assistant was jailed for 11 years for the rape of resident known only as

The Minister for Justice says laws to support the Special Criminal Court will be renewed next week. It’s despite a review which recommended changes to Ireland’s counter-terrorism laws. The report, which examined the Offences Against the State Acts, found the laws should be repealed and replaced. Justice Minister Helen McEntee says although the findings of

The government has cleared the way for three new vet schools as part of a package of 1300 new college places each year in healthcare, pharmacy and veterinary courses. The ATU is one of three colleges identified as the location for a vet school, with much of its work to be based at the ATU’s

Slaintecare has committed to fund an extension to a first of its kind virtual ward for people with COPD in Donegal. The Community Virtual Ward supports individuals in their own homes and has been recognised at European level for offering services as an alternate pathway to hospital based COPD care The scheme was rolled out

The Dail has been told that bureaucracy is costing schools thousands of euro because they are not being supported when they take in children from asylum seeker and refugee families. Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn told the Dail this morning that schools are being penalised for nurturing and supporting children. He raised the example of Sessiaghoneill National

The Cathaoirleach of the Glenties Municipal District fears there’s the potential for criminals to exploit the lack of Garda resources in Donegal. The need for more garda vehicles and personnel for the county has long been a cause for concern and has been raised with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. Councillor Michael McClafferty says Donegal cannot

The Government is being warned not to overspend in this year’s Budget. Ireland’s economy is projected to grow by 3 point 7 per cent this year – more than previously expected. The Central Bank’s quarterly bulletin also shows unemployment is now below 4 per cent – the first time since 2004. Director of Economics and

Mental health services are at breaking point across the country due to lack of staff and burnout. SIPTU says it’s imperative staffing is dealt with as a matter of urgency to prevent people leaving the sector. The trade union says staffing issues are particularly acute in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. SIPTU’s John

The Tanaiste says the British Government and the DUP are continuing to work through issues which are preventing a return to the Stormont Assembly. The institutions collapsed in January 2017 when the two biggest parties – the DUP and Sinn Féin – clashed over a green energy scandal. Since then, several attempts to broker a

The new Cathaoirleach of the Donegal Municipal District says he wants to see more cooperation between MDs for the good of the whole county. Independent Cllr Tom Conaghan says his first duty will always be to his own area, but it’s important that members look beyond their own patch and always seek to ensure that

Those wishing to climb Errigal Mountain are asked not to do so from the 5th to the 7th of July. This is due to works to take place involving an overhead waste removal. It’s apart of an on going project to put paths down to protect the mountain from erosion caused by footfall. Josephine Kelly,

The General Manager of Letterkenny University Hospital has unveiled new plans for the hospital in response to a damning report by HIQA. The document was devised with Senior HSE officials in consultation with staff to identify the role of the hospital in the community and how the hospital could be improved. Sean Murphy says it

Investigations are continuing after two men jumped into a car in Letterkenny in the early hours of Saturday morning, demanding they be dropped off at a local hotel before making off with the driver’s phone. Between 1:15am and 1:25am on Saturday, the motorist was travelling along the De Valera Road in the direction of the

Medication shortages are worsening. That’s according to Margaret O’Doherty of Raphoe Pharmacy. It’s emerged that 60% of people have been affected by the shortage of medicine over the past year with a record number of medicines out of stock. The Department of Health says there are numerous alternatives available to ensure continuity of care. Ms

St Mary’s Church, Cockhill, Buncrana has been targeted once again by thieves. In the latest incident, two men entered the Church on Friday afternoon shortly after 2:40pm and sat on the back pew before proceeding to attempt to fish money from a charity donation box. There is no confirmation as to whether money was stolen

A teenager was hospitalised after being attacked in Ballybofey last week. At around 7pm on Tuesday evening last, the 17 year old girl was walking with a friend in a laneway between what is known locally as ‘McElhinney’s Carpark’ and Chestnut Road when she was approached by a group of females, one of whom proceeded

The issue of Residential Zoned Land Tax continues to cause serious concern in Donegal. At yesterday’s special meeting of Donegal County Council, the local authority was urged by many Councilors to ensure measures are in place to mitigate against significant potential taxation costs coming down the tracks particularly for affected farmers. There calls for a

Record numbers of women suffering domestic abuse sought the support of frontline services last year. Women’s Aid says numbers are up 16 per cent on 2021 – the highest in the organisation’s 50 year history. Its support workers heard 33,990 disclosures of domestic abuse against women and children in 2022. Chief Executive, Sarah Benson, says