Author name: highlandnews

A Donegal Deputy has pleaded with the Government to get the defective blocks scheme right this time. Sinn Fein’s Padraig MacLochlainn called on the Housing Minister to address a number of issues with the new redress bill, such as foundations not being included, as well as there being no capacity in the scheme to increase […]

The CEO of the Mental Health Commission says that patients in areas such as Donegal are being deprived of the best mental health care. This follows the Commission’s annual report that was published today, that show patients are often given a better standard of care in private facilities compared to public ones. Speaking on today’s

The Minister for Housing has defended the Government’s response to the mica crisis. Minister Darragh O’Brien addressed the Dail this afternoon as the Government’s revised defective blocks bill entered the second stage. In a joint statement, homeowners in Donegal as well as Sligo, Mayo, Clare and Limerick say the Government has “…broken all parliamentary process

A child’s education should be a cherished right. That’s according to Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty who told the Tanaiste that for many parents, the price of education is a cause of concern and anxiety. He says that back to school costs are only adding to the pressure families are facing – mentioning one mother who

A shortage of teachers correcting Leaving and Junior Cert exams is going to put the State Examinations Commission in a difficult position, according to an education expert. The SEC has faced shortages of correctors this year, which has been cited as one of the reasons for the delay in this year’s Leaving Cert results being

A railway campaigner believes a cross border railway would be a massive gamechanger for the county. Consultant Richard Logue believes the rail network in Donegal could be easily reintroduced with a line from Letterkenny, to Derry and leading to Dublin. Speaking on today’s nine to noon show, he says the railway line would link Donegal

Sinn Féin’s proposal for an emergency budget was defeated in the Dáil last night. The party called for urgent action on the cost-of-living crisis, but the government opposed the motion. The government won a counter-motion by 69 votes to 59, which said there’ll be a comprehensive package in October’s Budget. Sinn Féin TD Darren O’Rourke

An Inishowen Councillor has called for a ‘redoubling of efforts’ to secure a premises for day care services in Carndonagh. The day hospital at Carndonagh Community Hospital remains closed as it is no longer suitable for the provision of day hospital services. The HSE says a premises has recently been found and a technical inspection

The non-jury Special Criminal Court will exist for at least another year, after a Dáil vote last night. It’s mainly used in gangland cases, and needs the annual approval of TDs to continue. Sinn Féin abstained in last night’s vote, after dropping its outright opposition to it last year. Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle last night

A 14 year old autistic child waited over 4 hours to be seen at Letterkenny University Hospital’s Emergency Department from the moment he took an epileptic seizure at home last night. After contacting emergency services, it took over an hour for an ambulance to arrive at Jack’s home. The family were told that delays of

Work is ongoing at Letterkenny University Hospital to increase capacity and staff working hours at the Oncology Day Unit. The HSE National Cancer Control Programme say they are aware of capacity issues within the unit at LUH after patient treatment targets were not met due to numerous factors, including capacity issues. A Business Case has

Further public meetings are being hosted this week by the Defective Blocks Ireland group and Coleman Legal following an increase in homeowners coming forward. Over 700 affected homeowners have now joined the High Court action being represented by Coleman Legal. The meetings are being held on Friday at 7pm at the Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny

The Manager of the Donegal Domestic Violence Service says legislation governing domestic abuse isn’t the issue but rather the implementation of it. Yesterday Justice Minister Helen McEntee announced that sentences for domestic abusers is set to double to 10 years as part of a €360m plan to tackle domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Dr Marie

The National Broadband Plan has missed its revised target by up to five months. A former communications minister says the project may not be finished until the end of 2027 – a year later than planned. National Broadband Ireland will tell an Oireachtas committee today it has employed 300 extra staff this year. But Independent

Support for the Northern Ireland Protocol in the north is increasing. A new opinion poll for Queen’s University also found that most people in Northern Ireland oppose the UK government’s plan to scrap parts of the Brexit trade deal without EU consent. 74% think a settlement between both sides is preferable to the plans that

Sinn Féin’s proposal for an emergency budget will be voted on in the Dáil tonight. The government last night opposed the motion, and put forward its own counter-motion. Sinn Fein’s Finance Spokesperson, Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty called for an urgent intervention in the cost-of-living crisis. He told the Dail last night that the Government needs

Sinn Féin will not oppose a one-year extension of the Special Criminal Court tonight. The non-jury court was used to jail many Provisional IRA members during the Troubles, but is now mainly used for gangland cases. Sinn Féin dropped its outright opposition to it last year, and will abstain in tonight’s Dáil vote. The party’s

Over 3,300 children under the age of 15 got antidepressant medication last year. According to freedom of information files, it’s a 55% increase on five years earlier. 495 children under the age of 11 got the drugs in 2021, under three schemes run by the HSE. Donegal GP Ciarán Ó Fearraigh says it may be

A Donegal County Councillor is calling for Ulster Bank should stay in the Irish market until its customers have secured alternative banking. The bank is closing its four branches in the county and withdrawing from the Irish market with Permanent TSB taking over the branches. Cllr Ciaran Brogan believes the Financial Regulator has a role

The Taoiseach has not ruled out an independent inquiry into alleged sexual abuse at a disability facility in Donegal. A follow-up validation report that identified a further 10 abusers in addition to the resident known as Brandon at Ard Greine Court and the Sean O’Hare Unit, Stranorlar has been submitted to Gardai who say a