Author name: highlandnews

HSE concerned at low uptake of second booster Covid vaccines

The HSE says it’s concerned by the number of healthcare workers who’ve yet to receive their second Covid-19 booster. According to the latest data, three-quarters of staff across the country’s seven hospital groups haven’t yet gotten their second dose. While only 71 thousand of the 1.48 million people aged between 18 and 49 in Ireland […]

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Donegal Senator believes UK Government’s focus is on Legacy Bill rather than NI Protocol

A Donegal Senator believes the UK Government will not progress with the Northern Ireland Protocol bill until the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill is passed. Senator Niall Blaney was in Belfast this week to meet with political and community groups as part of the Fianna Fáil committee on Northern Ireland and the Good

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59 community groups in the vicinity of Meentycat Wind Farm to receive funding

  Community groups in the vicinity of Meentycat Wind Farm have been awarded funding from SSE Renewables. A total of 59 community groups will benefit from the €81,000 fund, including schools, sports clubs and community centres. The annual sponsored walk on Meentycat Wind Farm, which was due to take place in September 2022, was unable

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Local road improvement scheme not fit for purpose – Cllr Ó Fearraigh

The Local Improvement Scheme is not fit for purpose. Thats according to Cllr John Shéamuis Ó Fearraigh who says the scheme is not working as many detoriating roads in West Donegal do not reach the criteria for repair. The claim comes as the NCT test centre in Derrybeg had the lowest pass rate of any

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Donegal Senator welcomes €3m Shared Island Civic Society Fund

A Shared Island Civic Society Fund has been launched by the Foreign Affairs Minister, Micheál Martin. It’s designed to promote practical North South co-operation and engagement. The scheme will provide 500,000 euro to cross-border projects in the first year of operation. In its first three years, the Shared Island Civil Society Fund will enable organisations

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The Nine ’til Noon Show – Ciarzo & The Ephades

Ciarzo & The Ephades joined Greg instudio on The Nine ’til Noon Show to play their new song ‘Anxiety’. The successful recording of this song was a collaboration between the young people, Donegal Youth Service and the HSE’s Connecting for Life who have recently launched a new care pathway for young people which includes a

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Some council houses reportedly being rented out or on Air BnB

A Donegal Councillor says the true extent of homelessness in Donegal not clear, because many people believe there’s no point in applying for social housing. Cllr Michael Choilm McGiolla Easbuig is urging people who cannot get onto the property ladder to apply to the council for housing. He was speaking as Glenties Municipal District urged

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Doherty says HSE must meet with public representatives to discuss NoWDOC’s future

Donegal TD Pearse Doherty is seeking a meeting with the HSE to discuss the future of the GP out of hours service in the county. At present, it’s managed and delivered by the HSE’s NoWDOC service, with Caredoc providing GPs for the delivery of care. It’s understood the talks currently underway may see Caredoc take

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Derry and Strabane police made 25 drug related arrests over Christmas period

Police in Derry City and Strabane carried out 40 drugs seizures and 25 related arrests during the Christmas period. Police conducted more than 600 patrols in the District during Operation Season’s Greeting which ran from November 17th 2022 to January 2nd 2023. This year’s operation focused on a range of safety priorities including roads and

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Concern over assessment delays for children with disabilities

Almost 2,200 needs assessments for Irish children with disabilities are at least three months overdue. In total, almost 3,500 were overdue at the end of September, according to the HSE. They’re legally supposed to be finished within six months – and allow children to get care for autism and other issues. Donegal GP Ciaran Ó

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Taoiseach briefs Von Der Leyen before Stormont meetings

The Taoiseach is traveling to Belfast this morning to meet political party leaders from across Northern Ireland. It’s part of a diplomatic offensive ahead of the deadline to form a Government in the North. Leo Varadkar will meet the leaders of political parties in Northern Ireland while Tánaiste Micheál Martin meets the Secretary of State.

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Replacement equipment for Ardsberg Water Plant to take 200 days to arrive

A replacement system part for the Ardsbeg Water Treatment Plant is expected to take 200 workings days to be sourced and installed. The Gortahork/Falcarragh area has experienced major water problems since a lightning strike hit the plant on 21st December. Repairs to the plant have been carried out but a replacement plant is required to

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Police investigating new IRA activities carrying out searches in Strabane

Detectives from the Terrorism Investigation Unit, assisted by uniform colleagues from Derry City & Strabane, are conducting a search in the Evish Road area of Strabane today, Wednesday, 11th January. Detective Inspector O’Flaherty said, “The search is part of an ongoing investigation into the activities of the new IRA and is a continued demonstration of

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Senator Robbie Gallagher appointed Government Whip in the Seanad

Donegal native and Senator Robbie Gallagher has been appointed as Government Whip in the Seanad. The Cavan-Monaghan representative was previously selected to run in the next General Election for Fianna Fail. His party leader and the Tanaiste, Micheal Martin, says he looks forward to working with Senator Gallagher in the upcoming term.

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Regional Cultural Centre in Donegal granted €180,000

  The Regional Cultural Centre in Donegal has been granted €180,000. The Arts Council, the Irish government agency for developing the arts, has today announced its Arts Centres decisions for 2023. Funding will be distributed to 42 organisations across all parts of the country, including €180,000 to The Regional Cultural Centre. Maureen Kennelly, Director of the Arts

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UK Foreign Secretary in Belfast in a bid to break protocol deadlock

The British Foreign Secretary has promised to address protocol issues which “risk and undermine” the Northern Ireland peace process. James Cleverly’s meeting with political and business leaders in Belfast to discuss the impact of the trade agreement. The Northern Ireland secretary, Chris Heaton-Harris, will also take part in the talks – which the British government

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SDLP proposes changes to Speaker election process as Stormont impasse continues

The SDLP is proposing changes to process of electing a Speaker in an attempt to unblock the Stormont impasse. It hopes to end the one-party veto that has, as it says, “frustrated the democratic wishes of the people of Northern Ireland.” The North has been without a government since last May’s election, when the DUP

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Result of IS465 review & pyrrhotite investigation not expected until end of 2023

The Chairperson of the Mica Action Group says the latest Department of Housing response to homeowner concerns is not good enough. It’s after homeowners submitted a number of queries to the Department, particularly around a review of IS465 and foundations being included in the redress scheme, as well as an investigation into the deliterious material

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Buncrana and Ballybofey Bank of Ireland branches to be refurbished

Bank of Ireland has announced a €11.5 million investment in upgrades to its branches nationwide, including refurbishments to their Buncrana and Ballybofey branches. The investment will include installation of new internal and external ATMs in Ballybofey in Buncrana. The bank say works will also be carried out at their six other Donegal branches, with and

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INMO say strike will go ahead if safety of nurses can’t be guaranteed

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation says industrial action will go ahead if the HSE cannot guarantee the safety of its members. The INMO is consulting its members this week about possible strike action, including staff at Letterkenny University Hospital. The INMO say hospital staff currently don’t feel safe, while they can’t guarantee patient safety

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Soldier injured in attack that killed Pvt Sean Rooney recovering from injuries

Trooper Shane Kearney, who was injured in the attack in Lebanon which killed Private Sean Rooney, is no longer in a critical condition. He is continuing his recovery in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, where his condition is now described as stable. Private Rooney died following the incident on December 14th last year, while Shane Kearney

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Gardai investigate thefts from two churches in Donegal

Gardai are investigating two thefts from churches in Donegal. A money box was opened with bolt cutters last week at St Bridgets Church in Ballintra, while an oil tank was emptied recently at Knowehead Presbyterian Church near Muff. Garda Claire Rafferty made this appeal for information on today’s Nine til Noon Show………..   More details

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Nursing Homes have a role to play in addressing health crisis – NHI

Nursing Homes Ireland CEO Tadgh Daly says the vacant beds in Irish nursing homes can form part of the solution to the health crisis, and the HSE and hospitals should be having discussions with operators. He says while Nursing Homes are associated with long term residential care, short stays and convalescence can be easily accomodated.

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