Author name: highlandnews

Cllr McBride proposes vote of no confidence in Housing Minister

A Donegal County Councillor has proposed a vote of no confidence in Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien. It’s in response to a lack of correspondence from the Minister to calls to meet with Councillors to discuss the defective block crisis in Donegal including the provision of modular homes for affected homeowners. Councillor Michael McBride who is

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2,000 people still living in large mental health institutions in Ireland

2,000 people are living in large mental health institutions, despite pledges in the 1980s to close congregated settings. The Inspector of Mental Health Services found some residents are sharing rooms, toilets and dining facilities. The Mental Health Commission is warning the HSE it’ll take action and de-register public mental health centres if compliance with regulations

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An Cailín Ciúin picks up two awards at Celtic Media festival in Donegal

An Cailín Ciúin is celebrating winning two gongs at the Celtic Media festival in Donegal. It’s won the ‘Spirit of the Festival’ and Torc for ‘Single Drama’ awards at this year’s event in An Clochán Liath. It already scooped a nomination for an Oscar earlier this year and won 8 IFTAs in 2022.

An Cailín Ciúin picks up two awards at Celtic Media festival in Donegal Read More »

Department of Education urging parents to secure children’s school bus places as soon as possible

The Department of Education is urging parents to secure their children’s school bus places as soon as possible. The deadline for payments for the next academic year is midnight tonight. It can be done through Bus Eireann’s online family portal. There was controversy over a lack of school bus places last year. But the company’s

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Malin Head Coast Guard assist in removal of sick child from Inishturk

The Malin Head Coast Guard was part of a medical evacuation from Inishturk North of the County Mayo coast this week. At around 9 o’clock on Wednesday night, Malin Head Coast Guard called Clifden RNLI to the island to assist in the removal of a sick child. The Irish Coast Guard’s Sligo-based helicopter Rescue 118

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Glenties Cathaoirleach believes lives could have been saved if more cycle and walkways were in place

The Cathaoirleach of the Glenties Municipal District believes if there were more cycle and walkways in place in Donegal, lives could have been saved. Councillor Micheal McClafferty has raised serious health and safety concerns over the lack of infrastructure in some towns and villages in the county. He is calling on Donegal County Council and

Glenties Cathaoirleach believes lives could have been saved if more cycle and walkways were in place Read More »

Banks facing further pressure to help defective block homeowners

Banks are being lobbied further to bring forward credible proposals to assist homeowners with defective blocks. Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty says many families are facing significant funding shortfalls with the scheme being put forward by Government. The Insurance Redress Focus Group is to come before the Finance Committee in the coming weeks to outline the

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Late night pharmacy openings and long weekends under theft

Late-night pharmacy openings and long weekend opening hours are under threat due to financial pressures. The Irish Pharmacy Union says community pharmacies have had a pay freeze for the last 15 years and this is having an impact on the viability of some pharmacies outside of certain hours One in ten pharmacies are loss making,

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Council says public safety is priority during retained firefighters industrial action

Donegal County Council say their priority during the ongoing industrial action by retained firefighters is to ensure public safety. Retained firefighters have taken the decision to engage in industrial action over the failure by Council’s across the country to address the recruitment and retention crisis. The Council is advising householders to ensure they have working

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Tory medical cover crisis deepens as transport mix-up means doctor missed today’s visit

It’s emerged that Tory Island did not receive a doctor today because of a mix up over transport which left the doctor waiting for a helicopter which had been cancelled. It comes as the island is set to be without a nurse for two weeks because a nurse due on the island from today is

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No non-compliances found in HIQA inspection at Seaview Respite Centre

HIQA has published a number of inspection reports on designated centres for people with disabilities. The list includes the Seaview Respite Service at Mountcharles, which has capacity for four residents, and had two in place at the time of the inspection in March. No non-compliances were recorded, and management have already outlined how they will

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McConalogue orders fodder survey as drought risk increases

A national fodder survey has been ordered by Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue as drought conditions begin to bite on farms. Met Éireann has confirmed such widespread and prolonged dry conditions have not been recorded since 2018, when farming suffered a severe drought and fodder crisis. The Irish Farmers Journal is reporting this morning that grass

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Coast Watch warns of threat to oceans if emissions are not reduced

  The world’s oceans are facing irreversible and catastrophic consequences unless urgent measures are taken to reduce global emissions. The warning comes on World Ocean Day with latest UN data showing the oceans have absorbed about 90 percent of the heat generated by rising emissions. Figures from the World Meteorological Organisation show global mean sea-level

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Latest Child Poverty Monitor to be launched today

The Children’s Rights Alliance is launching the second Child Poverty monitor this morning. The monitor analyses child poverty in Ireland across a number of different metrics, including income, education and health. It will also outline key recommendations to drive the change that is needed. Mike Allen from Focus Ireland says the monitor gives an overall

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Councillor demands action as people of Tory face weeks without a nurse

A West Donegal councillor says once again, the people of Tory Island will be without a nurse from this afternoon because the nurse who is normally based on the island will be away for a number of weeks. Cllr Micháel Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig says once again, the HSE hasn’t made provision for a replacement

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McHugh praises contribution of DLDC to community development in Donegal

A Donegal TD says he believes the success of Donegal Local Development in recent years is a vindication of the changes that were made to the administration of the Leader programme a number of years ago. Deputy Joe McHugh was speaking after the opening of DLDC’s new offices this week by Minister Heather Humphries. In

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New principal appointed to Moville Community College

Donegal ETB has announced the appointment of Ms Caroline Doherty as the new Principal of Moville Community College. She replaces Mr Anthony Doogan who is retiring from the post this summer. A native of Clonmany, Caroline Doherty has been Deputy Principal of Moville Community College since September 2020, having previously taught in Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana

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Progress confirmed for Rosses Community School extension

  An extension project for the Rosses Community College has received initial project approval under the Modular Framework Programme. The project will consist of five mainstream rooms and one construction studies room, in a reconfiguration/modular framework.   Praising the work of the principals, the staff, students, and parents, Minister Charlie McConalogue said this is positive

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Government’s failure to address Retained Fire Service crisis putting lives at risk – Deputy MacLochlainn

The Government’s failure to address the Retained Fire Service recruitment and retention crisis is putting the lives of firefighters and the public at risk. That’s according to Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn who is calling on the Government to immediately intervene. Members of the retained fire service commenced industrial action yesterday. SIPTU said the organisation will

Government’s failure to address Retained Fire Service crisis putting lives at risk – Deputy MacLochlainn Read More »

Almost €472,000 announced for Donegal Islands

The Minister for Rural and Community Development has announced almost €472,000 in funding for Arranmore and Tory Island. It coincides with the launch of ‘Our Living Islands’ policy on Arranmore Island today. €72,000 has been allocated to Tory Island for playground safety and boundary wall works. The remainder meanwhile, will go towards resurfacing works, playground

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Donegal Cllr calls for change in septic tanks and water well grant regulations

There’s calls for a change in regulations governing septic tanks and water well grants. As it stands, to avail of the septic tank grant, it must have been registered by February 2013. Councillor Michéal Naughton says this leaves many at a disadvantage. He is calling on the relevant Ministers to overhaul the regulations to protect

Donegal Cllr calls for change in septic tanks and water well grant regulations Read More »

Three year action plan to boost island communities being launched on Arranmore Island today

A three year action plan to boost Ireland’s island communities is being launched today. The Minister for Rural and Community Development will outline 80 commitments to support employment, remote working and boost tourism. Minister Heather Humphreys will launch the national policy on Arranmore Island today. She says the ‘Our Living Islands” will improve a range

Three year action plan to boost island communities being launched on Arranmore Island today Read More »

Government warned not to go on spending spree in October’s budget

The Government’s being warned not to go on a spending spree in October’s budget. The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council says tax cuts or other giveaways could lead to another rise in inflation, something which could mean far higher costs for crucial services or infrastructure projects. The spending watchdog is also warning there is no credible

Government warned not to go on spending spree in October’s budget Read More »

‘Root causes of crime must be addressed’ – Deputy Pringle

A Donegal Deputy says the root causes of crime must be addressed. While welcoming legislation to make recruiting a child to commit a crime an offense, Deputy Thomas Pringle says the rise in the involvement of young people in crime is very concerning. Figures show 400 drug offences were committed by children and adolescents in

‘Root causes of crime must be addressed’ – Deputy Pringle Read More »