Author name: highlandnews

Donegal Film Office seeking applications for Short Film Bursary

Funding is being made available this year again by the Donegal Film Office for film makers living and working in the county. Money has been secured from Creative Ireland to offer a Short Film Bursary which aims to foster talent, support creatives and increase filmmaking activity in Donegal. A grant of €10,000 will be awarded

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Clarification sought on when Buncrana Leisure Centre funding application can be made

The Chair of the Buncrana Leisure Centre Committee is seeking clarification on proposals to submit an application for funding for a new facility under the Repowering Buncrana Project announced for the shorefront last year. Cllr Jack Murray recently announced he believes funding for the pool can be secured under the scheme, with work possibly starting later this

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O’Gorman tells Pringle that Assisted Decision Making Act changes are progressing

Some people with disabilities are still waiting for the clarification as to when they will be able to make their own decisions. Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle raised the issue in the Dáil this morning with Disabilities Minister Roderic O’Gorman. Deputy Pringle told the Dail the Assisted Decision Making Act passed last year still hasn’t been

O’Gorman tells Pringle that Assisted Decision Making Act changes are progressing Read More »

Read DL 2023 launches an exciting new title live on Highland Radio

Read DL was launched live on air on Tuesday 21st February, at an outside broadcast with John Breslin’s Around the Northwest at Creeslough National School. The READ DL initiative is based on the worldwide ‘One Book, One Community’ and began life in 2011 as READ LK (Letterkenny).  Its aim was simple: to create an awareness and love of reading in

Read DL 2023 launches an exciting new title live on Highland Radio Read More »

NWRA says there must be targeted investment to combat regional inequality

There are further calls for regional inequalities to be addressed with a focus on the North West. Such inequalities have been highlighted further following latest CSO figures which revealed that people in Donegal have the lowest disposable income in the country at just over €18,500. The Northern & Western Regional Assembly says the gap in

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MacLochlainn says government is ‘washing its hands’ of defective blocks issue

The Dail has heard an appeal for the Housing Minister to meet with Donegal County Council to allay the concerns of Councillors over redress for defective block homeowners. A cross-party delegation of Councillors travelled to Dublin yesterday to protest outside Leinster House in a stand for equality for defective block homeowners. Speaking in the Dail

MacLochlainn says government is ‘washing its hands’ of defective blocks issue Read More »

Hoteliers relieved with extended 9% tourism VAT rate

Donegal hoteliers have welcomed the Government’s decision to extend the 9% tourism VAT rate and reform the energy support scheme for businesses. Paul Diver, Chair of the Donegal Irish Hotels Federation Branch, says the industry is sighing a breath of relief following yesterday’s announcement. He says while the proposed rate of 13.5% is unjustified, hoteliers

Hoteliers relieved with extended 9% tourism VAT rate Read More »

Senator Flynn is calling for owed energy credits for the traveler community

Donegal Senator Eileen Flynn is calling on the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to make a statement on the roll-out of the Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Scheme to the traveler community. She says that many travelers have not received any energy credit to date due to their type of accommodation despite communications being

Senator Flynn is calling for owed energy credits for the traveler community Read More »

Councils reaffirm commitment to progressing Riverine Project

Donegal County Council and Derry City and Strabane District Council have reaffirmed their strong commitment to progressing the Riverine Project. Elected members and senior officials from both Councils met this week after the development was approved by An Bord Pleanála. An application for funding through the upcoming Peace Plus process was discussed. West Tyrone MLA

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LUH ED under significant pressure with all available beds in use

The Emergency Department at Letterkenny University Hospital is under significant pressure today with high attendances and long waiting times. Yesterday, 154 people attended the ED. According to the INMO, 34 people are without a bed at the hospital today. Saolta is warning that there are currently a very high number of patients on trolleys in

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‘Worrying spike in patients without beds’ – INMO

There’s been a worrying spike in the number of patients without a bed in Irish hospitals. That’s according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, which has described the situation as ‘intolerable’. According to its latest Trolley Watch figures, there were 663 patients without a bed nationwide this morning, 34 of them at Letterkenny University

‘Worrying spike in patients without beds’ – INMO Read More »

If NI Protocol deal isn’t reached timeline could be extended

It’s reported if a deal on the Northern Ireland Protocol isn’t announced by tomorrow, the timetable could slip into next week. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was unable to present a finished deal to cabinet this morning, with talks between the UK and the EU continuing. Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, Doug Beattie, says

If NI Protocol deal isn’t reached timeline could be extended Read More »

McSharry tells Electoral Commission Donegal should return to two constituencies

The Electoral Commission has been told that Donegal should revert to two Dail constituencies, with the integrity of the county’s boundary maintained. The submission was made by Deputy Marc McSharry, who currently represents people from four different counties – South Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim and North Roscommon. Deputy McSharry says it would make much more sense

McSharry tells Electoral Commission Donegal should return to two constituencies Read More »

Aontu representative has ‘several major concerns’ with the residential zoned land tax

Aontu representative Mary T Sweeney has voiced serval major concerns in relation to the residential zoned land tax. She says that the information was not adequately brought to the publics attention resulting in many missing the deadline to apply for an exemption for the 3% tax. On this morning’s Nine ’til noon show, she urged

Aontu representative has ‘several major concerns’ with the residential zoned land tax Read More »

Letterkenny Gardai investigating three incidents involving cars

Gardai in Letterkenny are investigating three incidents involving cars over the past six days. Two of them involved criminal damage, one while there was still a person in the car. The other involved the theft of four alloy wheels from a business premises. Gardaí say between 6pm on Wednesday evening and 7am on Thursday morning,

Letterkenny Gardai investigating three incidents involving cars Read More »

At least 20 Donegal councillors taking part in Dublin defective blocks protest

A cross-party delegation of Donegal Councillors is travelling to Dublin this morning as part of a public protest outside Leinster House to demand equality for defective block homeowners. The Mica Action Group says 20 Councillors have responded to the call to send a strong message to Government that the ongoing delays in providing proper redress

At least 20 Donegal councillors taking part in Dublin defective blocks protest Read More »

Andrews believes protocol deal is possible as Sefcovic and Cleverley agree to meet

The intervention by the The EU’s Chief Brexit negotiator could be crucial in sealing a deal on the Northern Ireland Protocol. The British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Maros Sefcovic agreed to hold a face-to-face meeting in the coming days after a phone discussion yesterday. Downing Street insists a final deal has not been struck

Andrews believes protocol deal is possible as Sefcovic and Cleverley agree to meet Read More »

Letterkenny NDLS office to continue to operate normal hours

It’s been confirmed that there will be no reduction in the operating hours of the National Driving Licence Service office in Letterkenny. Last week, Minister of State, Jack Chambers paused the proposed change in office hours to consider a report from the RSA. Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue has received confirmation from Minister Chambers that the

Letterkenny NDLS office to continue to operate normal hours Read More »

Public funding for Letterkenny must be matched by private investment – Brogan

A Letterkenny councillor says it’s vital that increased public funding for the town is matched by private investment. Cllr Ciaran Brogan was speaking after it was confirmed that Letterkenny has been included in the next round of urban development funding, with an emphasis on tackling dereliction. He says progress on developments at the old ESB

Public funding for Letterkenny must be matched by private investment – Brogan Read More »

Residents of Ballybofey/Stranorlar and Donegal Town invited greenway consultation

Residents of Ballybofey/Stranorlar and Donegal Town are invited to have their say on the Barnesmore Gap Greenway Project. The project hopes to create a trail between the towns for walkers, cyclists and people with impaired mobility. Drop-in public consultations are being held in The Abbey Hotel on Wednesday and Jackson’s Hotel on Thursday from 12

Residents of Ballybofey/Stranorlar and Donegal Town invited greenway consultation Read More »

Deputy Mac Lochlainn says AIB sweetheart deal is ‘sickening’

AIB are being asked to explain a deal which saw GAA figure DJ Carey have his debt of €9.5 million written down to €60,000. The sweetheart deal occurred in 2017. Sinn Fein’s Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn spoke to Greg Hughes saying the deal has raised many questions, particularly to those impacted by the defective concrete

Deputy Mac Lochlainn says AIB sweetheart deal is ‘sickening’ Read More »

Donegal County Council to reverse gender make-up to mark International Women’s Day

The gender imbalance on Donegal County Council will be highlighted when the gender make-up of members will be reversed on International Women’s Day. Members of the WoMeN’s (Western Midlands and Northern) Regional Caucus will mark the event by transforming the chamber make-up by having more women present in the chamber. Of the 37 Donegal County

Donegal County Council to reverse gender make-up to mark International Women’s Day Read More »

Donegal to recieve €625,777 in Government’s ‘Inflation Fund’

Donegal will benefit from €625,777 in the Government’s ‘Inflation Fund’ . This will assist community-based and voluntary health and social care providers with the energy inflation costs. Over 1,450 organisations across Ireland will benefit from the €81m fund- including both local community groups and national service providers.

Donegal to recieve €625,777 in Government’s ‘Inflation Fund’ Read More »

Letterkenny Milford MD Mayor seeks return of GP coverage to Churchill

The Mayor of the Letterkenny Milford Municipal District has written to the Health Minister calling for the provision of a GP for the Health Centre in Churchill. The centre is a satellite of the Ark Medical Centre in Letterkenny, and before the Covid 19 pandemic, a GP from the centre travelled to Churchill on a

Letterkenny Milford MD Mayor seeks return of GP coverage to Churchill Read More »

Minister McConalogue announces opening of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme

A €370m five year budget has been announced my Minister McConalouge for the new Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3). Tranche 1 of the scheme will open Wednesday 22 February with solar panels on farms the first available investment. The other investments will become available on a phased basis during Tranche 1 which will close

Minister McConalogue announces opening of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme Read More »

Senator Niall Blaney says NI Protocol obstacles can be overcome

The British Prime Minister wants to get the Northern Ireland Protocol over the line. That’s according to Senator Niall Blaney. He said on this morning’s Nine ’til Noon show that people shouldn’t underestimate the pressure on Rishi Sunak from former Prime Minister Boris Johnston and that if the DUP has 6 out of their 7

Senator Niall Blaney says NI Protocol obstacles can be overcome Read More »