Author name: highlandnews

There appears to still be a lot of apprehension in Donegal among defective block homeowners over rebuilding on existing foundations. The Government’s stance is that in the case of a demolition, the property must be rebuilt on the original foundations. However, campaigners are questioning the exclusion of foundations from the scheme. Claire Irwin, a quantity […]

A former Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council says the housing crisis will not be resolved until we have a real debate in this country which recognises the fact that we are in a crisis situation which demands a special response. On today’s Nine til Noon Show, Brendan Byrne said one of the problems at the

A Donegal Deputy has questioned why the Government continues to sit on its ‘rainy day fund’ while school construction is put on hold. A rise is construction costs has been cited by Government as the reason why 58 projects nationwide have been stalled, around 14 in Donegal. The rainy day fund currently has a balance

Serious questions are being raised as its emerged the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service was tasked to Donegal on 93 occasions last year. Latest figures from Donegal County Council reveal that the Donegal Fire Service was mobilised 935 times during 2022 and dealt with a total of 827 incidents. Councillor Martin McDermott is seeking

People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith says there could be a “tsunami of evictions.” Her comments come after the Government announced its plans to end the eviction ban at the end of the month. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said yesterday the ban won’t be brought back even if there’s a rise in homelessness. Deputy Bríd Smith

The pausing of the construction of 58 schools has been described as a “sucker punch” to parents and pupils. That’s the view of Labour Leader Ivana Bacik as a rise in building costs was cited for the stoppage in the Dáil this week. More than a dozen schools in Donegal are affected. Despite the building

The amount of snow to fall overnight was less than forecasters expected, but roads remain hazardous this morning. A Status Orange Snow/Ice Warning now only includes Dublin and Wicklow, and it’s in effect until nine o’clock. A nationwide Status Yellow Ice Warning meanwhile is in place until midday with widespread frost and icy surfaces. Cathal

The North West is at the centre of a new venture allowing technology students grow and develop their knowledge of electric vehicle technology. The Donegal ATU campus in Letterkenny and North West Regional College have come together to create what they’re calling a unique cross border pathway for learners to advance their studies. The initiative,

The government is being urged to take a more hardline approach to the British government’s 12 mile exclusion zone around Rockall. In the Dail this morning, Junior Minister Martin Hayden said the government doesn’t accept the limit, and is involved in diplomat efforts to ensure traditional fishing patterns are continued. However, Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn called

Concerns have been raised over the delivery of a new health centre in Dunfanaghy. The €2.5m development was due to be completed in 2020. However, to date construction works have yet to commence. Councillor Michael McClafferty says he has sought an update from the Health Minister:   Dr Rory Stewart, a GP in Dunfanaghy says

There’s calls for parts of the Inishowen peninsula to be included in Donegal County Council’s Winter Gritting Programme to facilitate access year round. Councillor Johnny McGuinness believes the Inishowen 100 and the Wild Atlantic Way should be reclassified in order for them to be gritted due to a number of schools currently omitted and to

No citizen should be denied access to a community or public service if they are willing to pay with legal tender. That’s the warning from Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn who was speaking in the Dail on a motion calling for the protection of cash as a legal tender. He says the Government needs to confront

Over 115,000 people left a hospital emergency department without finishing their treatment last year. It represents over one in 13 people who attended an ED last year, according to freedom of information figures. The highest amount was in Tallaght University Hospital in Dublin, where one in five patients walked away without completing their treatment. Beaumont

Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle has called on the Government to take action to ensure banks provide access to cash. He says the AIBs failed attempt to remove cash from banks was a demonstration that stakeholders are their priority, not the public. He further condemned the decision to go cashless at a number of major music

The gender make up of Donegal County Council has been reversed today to mark International Women’s Day. Out of 37 Councillors in Donegal, just 4 are women. Today in the Chamber in Lifford, a range of women will occupy the seats normally filled by men. Councillor Niamh Kennedy who is one of the only four

New information have been revealed in the investigation of the attempted murder of senior PSNI detective John Caldwell. It is believed a second blue Ford Fiesta was involved in the incident. The attempted murder took place two weeks ago today at a sports complex outside of Omagh. A reward of £150,000 has been offered for

Irish motorists are paying over €30 every time they renew their insurance, to compensate the victims of road traffic collisions involving uninsured drivers. That’s according to the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland, which says we have become a complete outlier in Europe. It found one in twelve vehicles in the country do not have insurance

In the north, crime-stoppers is offering one of its biggest ever rewards in a bid to catch those behind the attempted murder of a senior PSNI detective in Co Tyrone. Today marks two weeks since Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell was shot at a sports complex in Omagh. He’s still fighting for his life in

The Northern Secretary of State says Northern Ireland’s security threat level is being constantly reviewed. Last year, for the first time in a decade, the British government lowered it from severe to substantial. But the recent attempted murder of PSNI officer John Caldwell in Omagh, Co Tyrone, has raised questions over whether the threat level

The Dail has been told that a better way must be found to fund school extensions and building projects. Deputy Joe McHugh says a number of projects in Donegal have been pushed back because of funding issues, and in the long term, that means planning and other procedures will have to be replicated. He told the

The HSE has confirmed that all residents have returned to Carndonagh Community Hospital. It follows a €4.2 million refurbishment of the facility. All residents have returned to Carndonagh Community Hospital following a major refurbishment which included works being carried out in the residential area of the hospital including new bathrooms and ensuite bathrooms, a new

The Government has been accused of abandoning families to the mercy of energy companies. Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty has once again told the Dail that people right across the country are being crippled by high energy costs. He told Minister Michael McGrath that there are solutions if the Government is willing to act: