Author name: highlandnews

The Londonderry and Letterkenny Chambers of Commerce appeal for signatures to get road scheme underway

The Londonderry and Letterkenny Chambers of Commerce are appealing businesses based in the North West who wish to see the A5 Western Transport Corridor Road Scheme get underway for signatures on an open letter. This letter will be addressed to the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland ahead of the 3rd March consultation deadline before

The Londonderry and Letterkenny Chambers of Commerce appeal for signatures to get road scheme underway Read More »

Two Donegal bus routes to benefit from Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan

Two Donegal bus routes are set to benefit from an ambitious rural bus plan from this year. The Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan and the National Transport Authority today launched the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan for 2023. The Moville to Malin Head Tower route and Carndonagh to Buncrana route are included in the plan

Two Donegal bus routes to benefit from Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan Read More »

Cost-of-living support package to aid lower income families

The Government’s next cost-of-living support package will be tilted towards lower income families, with the 9 percent hospitality VAT rate being axed. The reduction in excise on fuel is also due to expire, which could see prices at the pump rise once again. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar this week revealed the measures will be signed off

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Grow Remote says remoting working is the solution to income inequality

  It was announced yesterday that Donegal has the lowest disposable income in the state. The county was 22% below the national average. Grow Remote have responded to these figures questioning why income in equality is allowed to continue when there is a clear solution. In a statement the organisation says remote working could be

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‘Green Hub’ initiative to be launched in Donegal Town

A ‘Green Hub’ initiative is set to be launched in Donegal Town later this month. Donegal Town has been selected as one of six pilots nationally for the campaign in partnership with Donegal County Council and My Waste. The Green Hub initiative will provide resources and support to businesses looking to adopt more sustainable practices,

‘Green Hub’ initiative to be launched in Donegal Town Read More »

Councillors need to fight for defective block homeowners – MAG Chair

Defective concrete block homeowners are set to travel to Dublin once again to demand 100% redress. Donegal County Councillors have been urged to show their support in leading the protest at Leinster House on Tuesday. To date, 13 Councillors have confirmed their attendance with more are expected to confirm over the coming days. Chair of

Councillors need to fight for defective block homeowners – MAG Chair Read More »

2023 Policing Plan for Milford District to be discussed at upcoming meeting

The 2023 Policing Plan for the Milford District is to be discussed at a meeting next week. A Community Engagement meeting will be held at Loreto Community School, Milford On Monday at 7:30pm. Superintendent David Kelly will be in attendance to outline plans for the area while cyber crime and internet safety for children will

2023 Policing Plan for Milford District to be discussed at upcoming meeting Read More »

New Patient Advice and Liaison Service Coordinator appointed at LUH

A new Patient Advice and Liaison Service Coordinator has been appointed at Letterkenny University Hospital. Angela McCloskey who is from Letterkenny and spent 19 years working as a radiographer at the hospital has taken up the role. The Patient Advice and Liaison Service Coordinator acts as a visible focal point for patients, families and carers

New Patient Advice and Liaison Service Coordinator appointed at LUH Read More »

Over €24m to be spent on national roads in Donegal in 2023

Over €24 million is to be spent on national roads in Donegal this year. Over half a billion euro has been allocated nationally with €63 million to be invested in Greenways across the country. The Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan has confirmed that €554 million is being allocated to local authorities through Transport Infrastructure Ireland.

Over €24m to be spent on national roads in Donegal in 2023 Read More »

Council to ask TII to carry out improvement works on dangerous stretch of N14

Donegal County Council is to ask Transport Infrastructure Ireland to carry out improvement works on a dangerous stretch of the N14 Lifford to Letterkenny Road. The issue’s been raised by Cllr Donal Coyle, who told colleagues this week that there is a real risk of a serious collision at the stretch at Doorable, Manorcunningham. He’s

Council to ask TII to carry out improvement works on dangerous stretch of N14 Read More »

Rishi Sunak to meet NI parties today to discucss Protocol

The British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will meet political parties in Belfast this morning, as speculation mounts that a deal has been done on resolving the controversy over the Northern Ireland Protocol. It’s understood he will brief the parties on concessions agreed in talks between officials from the British Government and the European Commission in

Rishi Sunak to meet NI parties today to discucss Protocol Read More »

Donegal man among humanitarian aid workers assisting in Turkey

A Donegal man is among humanitarian aid workers assisting in Turkey. Paul Carr hailing from Cranford flew into the zone only days after the devastation. Working for Concern Worldwide Carr explains the distance of the effected area is as far as Letterkenny to Cork city. Many of the concern workers are currently sleeping in their

Donegal man among humanitarian aid workers assisting in Turkey Read More »

Jeremy Clarkson responds to backlash of sspelling comments to dyslexic barrister

Jeremy Clarkson says an exchange with a barrister where he told him to “learn to spell” “would not have been televised” if he’d known he had dyslexia. Charles Streeten says his comments during an episode of Clarkson’s Farm forced him to relive his difficult childhood. In a statement shared with The Times, the former Top

Jeremy Clarkson responds to backlash of sspelling comments to dyslexic barrister Read More »

Donegal homelessness is the ‘perfect storm’

Cllr. Gerry McMonagle says factors such as the defective blocks crisis, influx of refugees and students attending university has added pressure onto Letterkenny. He raised his concerns regarding the lack of adequate short-term solutions for families in particular who are presenting as homeless. He is calling on the Government and Donegal County Council to form

Donegal homelessness is the ‘perfect storm’ Read More »

Deputy Doherty questions the Tánaiste on government plans to assist suffering families

A Donegal deputy questioned the Tánaiste on what the government plans to do to support families who are suffering the most under the cost-of-living crisis. Deputy Pearse Doherty presented stark statistics from Barnardo’s and accused government of choosing to not implement proposals to aid those most in need. The Tánaiste responded saying deputy Doherty is

Deputy Doherty questions the Tánaiste on government plans to assist suffering families Read More »

Donegal has lowest disposable income in Ireland

Donegal has recorded the lowest disposable income per person in the country. According to latest CSO figures released today, people in Donegal have a disposable income of €18,322 which is 22% below the national average. Aoife Crowe, Statistician in the National Accounts Analysis and Globalisation Division of the CSO says; “The Border and Midlands counties

Donegal has lowest disposable income in Ireland Read More »

Councillor seeks re-affirmation regarding 100,000 houses for the North

Derry Cllr. Emma McGinley is voicing her concerns about the plans to build 100,000 houses in the North. While welcoming the construction that is underway of 119 homes in Derry, she is seeking the affirmation that building plans for the next 15 years will still go ahead. She says the lack of a Northern Ireland

Councillor seeks re-affirmation regarding 100,000 houses for the North Read More »

Standby aircraft brought in following cancellation of Donegal flights

A standby aircraft has been introduced as a result of the cancellation of flights between Donegal Airport and Dublin. A Department of Transport spokesperson says they are aware of the recent disruption on the PSO service which has seen numerous flights cancelled over recent weeks. Emerald Airlines confirmed that a technical difficulty with the designated

Standby aircraft brought in following cancellation of Donegal flights Read More »

Diversity not Division Rally taking place in Letterkenny on Saturday

A Diversity not Division Rally is taking place in Letterkenny this weekend. It’s part of a national series of rallies taking place across the country on Saturday. People are being encouraged to bring flags, posters and banners for a peaceful celebration of diversity and inclusion at the Market Square, Letterkenny at 1:30pm. Paul Kernan from

Diversity not Division Rally taking place in Letterkenny on Saturday Read More »

Cathaoirleach urges people to have say on Milford Town Centre First Plan

The Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council is urging people to have their say on the Town Centre First Plan for Milford. A planning and design company has been appointed to prepare the plan which has now gone to public consultation. Councillor Liam Blaney says the plan will set the precedent for future town centre plans.

Cathaoirleach urges people to have say on Milford Town Centre First Plan Read More »

Senior Ministers to discuss fresh cost of living supports

Senior Ministers will meet later to discuss fresh cost of living supports. It’s expected an announcement will be made after next Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting to help families cope with rising prices. An extra €200 energy credit is one of the measures being considered. However, the Green Party seems to be against such a move, arguing

Senior Ministers to discuss fresh cost of living supports Read More »

Broadband in NW priority for Government to facilitate employment opportunities – Minister Coveney

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment says delivering high speed broadband to the North West is a priority for Government to facilitate remote working opportunities and the opening of new businesses in the region. Minister Simon Coveney is hosting a ‘Building Better Business in the North-West’ event at the Atlantic Technological University’s Letterkenny campus

Broadband in NW priority for Government to facilitate employment opportunities – Minister Coveney Read More »

LYIT, Killybegs, Tourism College

Minister Harris gives assurances that Killybegs campus will play critical role in ATU

The Minister for Higher Education has given assurances that the Killybegs campus will play a critical role in the Atlantic Technological University. Minister Simon Harris confirmed also that he expects a regional campus support fund to be established shortly which he says will be very significant for the smaller campuses. He was responding to Donegal

Minister Harris gives assurances that Killybegs campus will play critical role in ATU Read More »

75% of farmers remain deeply concerned about rising input costs

75% of farmers remain deeply concerned about rising input costs. But Ifac’s Irish Farm Report says over half of them could improve their resilience with greater financial planning. Philip O’ Connor is head of Farm Support at agribusiness firm, Ifac. He says fuel and transport costs were also a key concern along with regulations and

75% of farmers remain deeply concerned about rising input costs Read More »

Green Party expected to block introduction of summer electricity credit

The Green Party is expected to block the introduction of a fourth electricity credit this summer as the government meets today to discuss a new cost of living package. The Greens will argue the roll out of any further universal support to families to off set their energy bills should be delayed until later in

Green Party expected to block introduction of summer electricity credit Read More »

DCC urged to expedite work to address flooding on Trentagh Road

Donegal County Council is being urged to expedite work to address flooding on the Trentagh Road between Kilmacrennan and Churchill. The issue was raised by Cllr Ciaran Brogan, who welcomed the inclusion of the road on the Regional and Local Roads programme announced this week. Cllr Brogan says there is a welcome focus on the

DCC urged to expedite work to address flooding on Trentagh Road Read More »

Donegal Youth Service seeking permanent new home in Letterkenny

The Regional Director of the Donegal Youth Service says getting put to all areas of the county is a challenge, and securing a permanent and publicly owned home for the service is vital. Lorraine Thompson told councillors this week that the service has 30 staff and over 300 volunteers, reaching 11,000 young people annually. She

Donegal Youth Service seeking permanent new home in Letterkenny Read More »

Donegal community groups invited to apply to Community Recognition Fund

Community groups in Donegal are being urged to apply for funding under the Communities Recognition Fund for Capital Projects. The fund aims to support the development of community infrastructure and facilities in recognition of the contribution being made by communities across the country in welcoming and hosting significant numbers of arrivals from Ukraine and other

Donegal community groups invited to apply to Community Recognition Fund Read More »

Government subsidising energy companies at expense of citizens – Deputy Pringle

A Donegal Deputy claims the Government has subsidised energy companies at the expense of citizens. Deputy Thomas Pringle has told the Dail that despite gas prices returning to pre-war levels, consumers bills continue to soar while energy companies make eye-watering profits that is being facilitated by the Government. He says unless action is taken against

Government subsidising energy companies at expense of citizens – Deputy Pringle Read More »

Former Minister believes Ireland should host major St Patrick’s Day event for foreign leaders

A former government minister believes Ireland should host a major event for foreign leaders on St Patrick’s Day, rather than send ministers abroad. Ministers and Government representatives will travel to 74 cities across the world for the national holiday. Agriculture, Food and the Marine Minister, Charlie McConalogue is set to travel to New Zealand to

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Jlo and Ben Affleck share commitment tattoos on Valentine’s Day

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Jennifer Lopez (@jlo) Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck have revealed new tattoos as they celebrated their “commitment” to each other on Valentine’s Day. The Hollywood power-couple revealed their custom designs in a post shared on the pop star’s Instagram page. It comes after the

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Donegal fire service battle to bring gorse fire under control in Malin

The Donegal Fire Service was deployed last night in response to a gorse fire in Malin. At about 9.10pm Carndonagh Fire Brigade was alerted to the blaze at Knockmany Bens area. Moville Fire brigade was subsequently mobilised around 40 minutes later to assist. The fire was eventually brought under control and extinguished shortly after 10:30pm.

Donegal fire service battle to bring gorse fire under control in Malin Read More »

Midlands North West MEP warns region is falling behind economically

A Midlands North West MEP has warned that the region is falling behind economically. When EU regional funding was calculated for the period 2021 to 2027, the Midlands North West was classed in the middle, with a below-average GDP. But according to Fine Gael MEP, Colm Markey, the region is now lagging even further behind.

Midlands North West MEP warns region is falling behind economically Read More »