Author name: highlandnews

The Dáil is to debate a motion of confidence in the Housing Minister this evening. It’s expected Darragh O’Brien will survive the vote, with the support of a number of independent TDs. The government, in supporting him, will point to changes in housing legislation, like new planning laws gone to Cabinet this morning. But People […]

A Donegal mother has spoken out after her son who has Cerebal Palsey and neurological disorders was forced to wait 32 hours for a bed at Letterkenny University Hospital. Oisin attended the Emergency Department on Tuesday last after becoming unwell. His mother, Tanya told today’s Nine til Noon Show that he was visibility distressed being

The Mica Action Group have called on Senator Niall Blaney to apologise for his recent comments which are a ‘gross misrepresentation’ of their campaign. MAG has sent a letter to Senator Niall Blaney who claimed there’s a campaign of opposition to the redress scheme being orchestrated by Sinn Fein for political purposes, and made claims

People on pre-pay power should expect more energy credits in January under new measures expected to be approved by Cabinet this morning. An extra €10 million will be added to the energy hardship fund. Under the energy poverty plan, people will also be able to apply for additional supports through MABS, Alone and St.Vincent de

A member of An Garda Siochana has been injured after a patrol car was rammed in Ballyshannon. In a series of dangerous driving incidents last week, a second Garda was forced to seek cover when a car was driven at them. Garda Grainne Doherty says it was a very traumatic and frightening experience for Gardai

Provisional fish quota discussions have ended in Brussels, with Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue welcoming what he says are a number of key decisions on quotas which will benefit the Irish fleet. However, the quotas agreed this morning after marathon overnight talks are only in place for the first three months of 2023, as the EU/UK

Progress on the processing of the defective concrete blocks grant scheme applications has been welcomed however, the Chair of Donegal County Council’s Strategic Policy Committee on Housing says it must continue at a faster pace. To date, 1,076 stage one applications have been received with 436 approved and 639 being assessed. 118 stage 2 grant

Councillor Michael McBride has been elected Chair of the Donegal ETB. He takes over the role from Councillor Barry Sweeney. Patsy McVicar is the new Deputy Chair. Councillor McBride says it has been a challenging number of years for schools in the county. He says while challenges still exist in the sector, the development of

It’s claimed at least 16,000 farmers looks set to lose out on funding because of a major mis-calculation by the Department of Agriculture. Independent TD for Galway East Sean Canney says the Department budgeted for 30,000 applications as part of the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme. However 46,000 applications have been received so far meaning at

Road conditions have been described as treacherous around the country with motorists being advised to travel with extreme caution this morning. Ice and freezing fog have been reported on many roads. A Status Yellow Low Temperature/Ice warning is also in place for the whole country until midday on Friday. Extreme care is needed with black

Donegal people who may struggle with their mental health over the Christmas period are being encouraged to avail of free counselling services. Turn2Me, a national mental health charity, is encouraging people to avail of its free counselling sessions, free support groups and free ‘Thought Catcher’ mood diary over the Christmas period. Turn2Me runs one-to-one counselling

A new project aimed at helping youths in North Donegal into employment has recieved a major funding boost. The Mulroy Youth Engagement Project- The ‘M.Y.E Future’ Project has received funding of over €147,000 from the International Fund for Ireland (IFI) to work with young people aged 16-25 over the course of an initial two-year project.

The council is on track to reach the county’s housing for all target and could exceed the expected figures. Donegal County Council’s Housing for all target is 879 units however last evening’s meeting of housing and corporate services committee heard the council is on track to reach the target. The meeting heard that the council

The Director of Roads with Donegal County Council says if any communities in areas not on the gritting programme want grit left in their areas, that can be arranged. On today’s Nine til Noon Show, Bryan Cannon said the council has over 20 lorries treating over 1,100 kilometres on 21 routes right across the county,

GAA clubs are being invited to apply for grants towards improving existing walking tracks located on their grounds. Donegal Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh says the initiative has been designed to maximise participation in physical activity within clubs, and also provide people in the local community the opportunity to use the facilities. Up to €50,000 is available in

  A Donegal member of the board of Udaras na Gaeltachta says investment in broadband and other vital infrastructure is paying dividends in Donegal. Cllr John Sheamais O’Fearraigh was speaking after it was confirmed at the weekend that Cora Tine in An Fál Carrach, trading as Kelsius Ltd is to create 53 new posts with

There’s a call on the HSE to open 14 specialist long covid centres across the country. Independent TD Denis Naughten is making the call, saying only a third of the required staff for the clinics have been recruited. He’s released a new Ireland Thinks poll which shows 6 per cent of adults in Ireland are

A Buncrana councillor is hopeful that progress on a new Leisure Centre for Buncrana is imminent. Plans have been in place for a number of years for the redevelopment of the leisure centre following its closure in 2014, but progress has not yet been made. Cllr Jack Murray says the works should be carried in

There have been calls for more transparency from Government following a report released yesterday that claimed the state removed certain criticisms of quarries from a report given to the Oireachtas last week. The report published by the Business Post claims that the initial report given to Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien included remarks stating that while