Author name: highlandnews

CIF head says there was no regulation of the manufacture of concrete blocks

The head of the Construction Industry Federation says whatever actions are taken by government to recover the cost of the defective Blocks Scheme, the reality is that the bulk of the burden will ultinately fall on the taxpayer. Answering questions from Deputy Mick Barry, Tom Parlon acknowledged that there was no regulation in terms of […]

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Community Support Officer assigned to Creeslough this week

Donegal County Council has appointed a Community Support Officer to Creeslough, to help all those affected by the Creeslough tragedy. The support officer will be in place this week from Wednesday until Friday, from 10am to 4pm each day at the Wild Atlantic Campsite in Creeslough. Donegal County Council say the support officer will act

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Donegal receives three National Heritage Week Awards

The efforts of community groups and individuals across Ireland in ensuring the preservation, protection and promotion of our built, natural and cultural heritage were recognised at the National Heritage Week Awards ceremony in Dublin on Thursday, October 20. The event, hosted by The Heritage Council and presented by RTÉ broadcaster Anne Cassin, saw three awards

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Dail hears plea for help for Mica homeowners living in dangerous conditions

Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn has pleaded with Government to help Mica affected homeowners living in dangerous properties to help them urgently. It’s believed 500 homeowners are currently at stage one of the redress scheme. Deputy MacLochlainn says these homeowners are stuck and can’t get access to any financial supports despite continuing to live in properties

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Planning approved for Reimagined Market Square project

Donegal County Council has approved the Part 8 Planning for the Reimagined Market Square project in Letterkenny Town Centre. Some changes have been made to the provision of taxi ranks and disabled parking spaces, including the retention of the taxi rank outside the Market Centre. The Chief Executive’s report, which followed a public consultation, stressed

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Buncrana publican cautiously welcomes nightlife pilot scheme

A Buncrana publican has given a cautious welcome to a new pilot scheme which aims to reinvigorate nightlife. Buncrana has been selected as one of 9 cities and towns across the country to take part in a pilot initiative to support the development of a vibrant and diverse night-time economy. The project follows announcements on

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Council urged to urgently address condition of busy Letterkenny road

Donegal County Council is being urged to address the condition of a busy road outside Letterkenny as a matter of urgency. The Cathaoirleach of the Letterkenny Milford Municipal District has described the state of the Crievesmith/ Old Town to Bomany road as ‘dire’. Councillor Donal Mandy Kelly says there has been huge investment in the

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Donegal students travelling to NI being ‘discriminated’ – Deputy McHugh

A Donegal Deputy says students from Donegal attending university in Northern Ireland are being discriminated against. Students travelling from the county to the likes of Galway will receive a 50% rebate as part of the Leap Card Scheme however, if travelling to the North no rebate is available. Deputy Joe McHugh believes a solution is

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Dail told Donegal sexual assault figures show need for improved sexuality education

The Dail has been told that recent figures published by the Donegal Rape Crisis Centre show the need for improved sexual and relationship education from primary school on. The centre returned the highest number of under 18s seeking help, with many of them reporting they had been physically and sexually assaulted by their peers. Deputy

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Dublin event to highlight North West City Region’s investment opportunities

A Business Investment event is taking place in Dublin this evening to promote the North West City Region as an area of investment . The event, which is being hosted by Donegal County Council and Derry City and Strabane District Council, will see presentations from development agencies, third level institutions and companies who have already

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Mica homeowners to address Oireachtas Committee on concrete levy today

An Oireachtas committee meeting today is to hear from Mica-affected homeowners and stakeholders from the construction industry to discuss the controversial concrete levy. The levy, which was initially introduced in Budget 2023 in order to pay for the Mica Redress Scheme, has been widely criticised by many. The Government initially proposed a 10% tax on

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HIQA review into child protective and welfare services in Donegal published

A HIQA review of child protective services in Donegal published today has found that Tusla’s services in the county were compliant or substantially compliant in all areas. The review analysed a number of areas of their child protective services in the county. The report said the Donegal service provided a good quality, safe service to

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McConalogue considering what extra supports are needed for fishery sector

Agriculture and Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue has told the Dail he is considering what measures may be necessary to support the fishing sector in the face of rising fuel costs. A number of TDs, including Donegal Deputy and Sinn Fein Fisheries Spokesperson Padraig MacLochlainn, have been stressing the need for a financial package to help

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Letterkenny Rotary Club’s Annual School Bikes Africa Appeal

Strong bikes wanted! Donegal County Council is once again delighted to support and promote the Letterkenny Rotary Club’s annual School Bikes Africa Appeal in conjunction with Donegal County Council and Bryson Recycling. The annual appeal is being promoted this October to coincide with National Reuse month. However, the good news is that this appeal will

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Donegal Sports Partnership invites applications for ‘Return to Sport’ Funding

Donegal Sports Partnership through their Return to Sport – Club Development Fund 2022 is encouraging sports clubs across Co Donegal to apply for small grants to support the ongoing development of sport post the Covid-19 pandemic. This funding is being allocated through two funding streams including club development initiatives and coaching and volunteer capacity building.

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Refugees won’t be turned away despite accommodation concerns – Varadkar

The Tánaiste has accused Russia of weaponising refugees. Leo Varadkar warned Ukrainians considering fleeing to Ireland they can’t be guaranteed accommodation here – but claimed Ireland also won’t be turning away any new arrivals at the same time. He said the Government doesn’t know how many new accommodation places it may be able to secure

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New HSE guidelines to treat obesity as “chronic illness”

A group representing people who live with obesity, hope “shame and blame” around the disease will soon be gone. It follows the publication of new clinical guidelines by the HSE, that moves away from the idea it’s a ‘lifestyle illness’. Under the guidelines, obesity is considered a chronic disease that should be treated medically, and

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LUH under pressure as it deals with high numbers of patients and Covid outbreaks

Elective procedures have been cancelled at Letterkenny University Hospital as it faces significant pressure. 145 people attended the hospital’s ED yesterday. Three wards have been impacted by Covid outbreaks. The Emergency Department at Letterkenny University Hospital is under significant pressure today with high attendances and long waiting times. Yesterday 145 people attended the ED. In

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10 schools in Donegal to be included in 2023 Young Scientist Exhibition

550 eligible projects from second level schools across Ireland have been selected for the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition from January 11th -14th next year. 24% of the projects look at health, 20% concentrate on the environment, while new technologies and sports are also prominent. 10 schools in Donegal will have student projects at

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Gardai appeal for information on traffic incidents in Letterkenny and Inishowen

Gardaí in Letterkenny are investigating an incident on High Road at lunchtime yesterday, in which a woman was knocked down by a vehicle. The incident, which happened at 1.25, saw the woman brought to Letterkenny University Hospital to be treated for non life threatening injuries. Any witnesses, or anyone who has dash cam or other

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Mica redress scheme at a ‘log jam’ – Cllr McMonagle

A Donegal County Councillor says in terms of the Mica redress scheme, the county is at a ‘log jam’. Councillor Gerry McMonagle believes much more needs to be done overall to tackle defective blocks in Donegal. Councillor McMonagle says there is a clear breakdown in communication between the Housing Department, Donegal County Council and homeowners:

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Medications in North could run out ‘within weeks’ – Warning

The Community Pharmacy NI is warning that prescription medications could run out ‘within weeks’. The organisation has issued the stark warning due to shortages and skyrocketing prices. If left to deteriorate without Department of Health intervention, community pharmacists in the North have said they will not be able to afford to pay for commonly prescribed

Medications in North could run out ‘within weeks’ – Warning Read More »

Government to step up plans to house more Ukrainian refugees

The Government is to step up its plans to house more refugees from Ukraine. A meeting of the Government sub-committee addressing the issue has drawn up a programme of initiatives to tackle the problem. There are currently 58,000 refugees in the Country compared to 7,250 this time last year. The scenes of Ukrainian refugees sleeping

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