Author name: highlandnews

Around the Northwest with John Breslin | Letterkenny Chamber Business Awards Sustainable Superstars

John was joined by Mary, owner of MD Serendipity Designs, Sab owner of Sourced by Sab and Cinu, operational lead of FM Services Group to talk about being shortlisted for the Sustainable Superstar award by Eirgrid. This award is centred around how a business is embracing sustainable development goals (SDGs). It is not just about […]

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Around the Northwest with John Breslin | Letterkenny Chamber Business Awards Best Tourism Initiative

Best Tourism Initiative sponsored by Donegal Airport Rónán O’Doherty from Oideas Gael & Eimear Ní Mhathúna from Fanad Lighthouse talk to John about being shortlisted for the ‘Best Tourism Initiative’ award sponsored by Donegal Airport. This award is seeking an outstanding attraction or initiative that is drawing visitors to the area and enhances the profile

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Calls for safety measures at busy Letterkenny junction

There’s calls for safety measures to be installed at a busy junction in Letterkenny. Concerns have been raised over dangers being posed to pedestrians crossing between Letterkenny Shopping Centre and Gleneany House due to the speed of traffic on approach to the junction. There are fears someone could be seriously injured unless measures are put

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Works to start of €7m Burtonport sewerage scheme

Works are set to get underway on the new €7m Burtonport Sewerage Scheme. A new wastewater treatment plant and sewerage infrastructure will be constructed as part of the project to eliminate the discharge of raw sewage into the sea. Once operational, the new plant and associated infrastructure will ensure compliance with wastewater discharge regulations and

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HIQA publishes reports on Falcarragh Community Hospital and Larissa Lodge in Letterkenny

HIQA has issued reports two accommodation providers for older people in Donegal, Falcarragh Community Hospital, which had 11 residents when it was inspected in July, and Larissa Lodge in Letterkenny, which had 42 residents when it was inspected in August. In the cases of Falcarragh Community Hospitak, the inspector said the provider had failed to

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Fire service warning after Buncrana Recycling Plant fire

Donegal Fire Service is urging people in the vicinity of Druminor, Buncrana to keep windows and doors closed following an overnight fire at a recycling plant On today’s Nine til Noon Show, Acting Chief Fire Officer Michael Scott said there’s no indication that anything dangerous was burned, but they say as a precaution, people should

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Over €10 million allocated for Leader projects in Donegal

€10.4m million has been allocated to Donegal under the Leader programme for the next five years, the second highest allocation in the country after Cork. The money is used to support rural communities and enterprises, with Agriculture and Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue urging interested groups to apply for funding. He says the LEADER model has

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Senator George Mitchell to address Oireachtas Committee as Assembly election looms

Senator George Mitchell will virtually address the Oireachtas committee today on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement today. The special envoy to the north who was appointed by former US president Bill Clinton, is expected to comment on the current political impasse at Stormont. Jon Tonge, professor of politics at the University of Liverpool,

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Irish Red Cross hosting public meeting in Creeslough tonight

The Irish Red Cross will host a public meeting in Creeslough tonight to update the community on its plans for the distribution of funds raised through a national appeal. The meeting takes place at Creeslough Community Centre in Massinass at 7 o’clock this evening. Meanwhile, Donegal County Council’s Community Support Officer will be available at

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Hospital overcrowding reaching ‘Emergency Levels’ – INMO

Hospital overcrowding this winter could be the worst ever seen. That’s according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation after 669 patients were left without beds on Tuesday. That figure was the highest number of patients waiting on trolleys in a single day in 2022. Of those, 51 were at Letterkenny University Hospital, the joint

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Remediation scheme needed for Council houses with Mica – McMonagle

There’s calls for a Remedial Works Programme to be set up to bring Mica affected social houses and others laying vacant back into use. People have been moved out of up to 20 council owned properties in the Letterkenny Milford Municipal which have been affected by defective blocks. Councillor Gerry McMonagle believes a process needs

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Concerns raised regarding vacant positions in Donegal County Council

Concerns have been raised over vacant roles in the Corporate Services Department of Donegal County Council. It is understood a number of staff have retired in recent times and while the local authority says efforts are being made to recruit for the roles, to date, they remain empty. Councillor Ciaran Brogan says the issue needs

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Taoiseach will consult cabinet on potential rate revaluation deferral

The Taoiseach says he will consider a further deferral of the national rates revaluation process which is now underway. Donegal is one of the first counties in which the process is underway, with fears that this may mean some businesses will see their rates bill increase significantly in years to come. In the Dail, Fianna

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Letterkenny Milford MD Mayor welcomes progress on Market Square improvements

The Mayor of Letterkenny Milford Municipal District says the process of reinvigorating Letterkenny’s Market Square could have been delayed if agreement hadn’t been reached this week on taxi spaces. The draft proposal saw all taxi spaces taken away from Market Square and outside the Market Centre, and moved down Main Street past the Courtyard Shopping

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Government trying to divide country over Mica redress – Hone

The Chairperson of the Mica Action Group says the Government is trying to divide the country over the mica redress scheme. Lisa Hone was the homeowner representative at today’s Oireachtas Committee meeting about the controversial concrete levy, which was introduced in Budget 2023 and intended to fund mica redress. She was joined by reps from

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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

Mica homeowners to address Oireachtas Committee on concrete levy today Read More »

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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