Author name: highlandnews

There were clashes in the Dail today between Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty and Tanaiste Simon Harris over the government’s insistence that there won’t be one off cost of living payments in the coming budget. Deputy Doherty told the Dail that a report out today shows almost 300,000 households are in arrears with their electricity bills.

A Donegal mother who claimed her disabled son was used in a “pre-election stunt” last year has welcomed news that €3.6 million promised to four Donegal groups under the Children’s Disability Service Grant will finally be paid out. The announcement was made at the No Barriers Foundation in Letterkenny, which was allocated just over €3

A member of Donegal County Council’s Defective Blocks Committee is asking Housing Minister James Brown to attend meetings of the committee, and is also seeking attendance at every meeting by officials from the Department of Housing. At a meeting of the committee earlier this week, Marti McElhinney made a comprehensive presentation on the issue of

West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan is urging Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to provide a clear guarantee that her Department is fully prepared to launch an appeal against the recent High Court ruling on the A5 Western Transport Corridor. In response to an Assembly Question from Mr McCrossan, the Minister confirmed that any appeal must be

Donegal County Council is being urged to draw up a database of people living in defective block homes who could be at risk in the event of a severe weather event. Cllr Joy Beard told a meeting of the council’s Defective Blocks Committee this week that now is the time to act on the lessons

The President of the European Commission says agriculture remains at the heart of the new 2 trillion euro, seven-year EU budget. Ursula von der Leyen announced plans for a new Common Agricultural Policy this afternoon, following protests by farmers outside the parliament building in Brussels. Farming representative groups here have expressed concern about the plan,

An Irish MEP has described parts of a proposal to merge ringfenced Common Agricultural Policy funding into a super fund as “crazy”. In a statement this afternoon, Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon says any changes will be studied in detail to assess the impact on Ireland. Within the past hour, Independent Ireland MEP Ciarán Mullooly responded

GAA Palestine has confirmed that its planned trip to Ireland with 33 children and their mentors can no longer proceed. In a statement, they say the delay stemming from issues with the Department of Justice has ultimately resulted in this difficult decision, as time has run out to make alternative arrangements. Earlier, the Taoiseach said he’s

  It’s been confirmed this afternoon that all money not released to successful applicants for the Children’s Disability Service Grant will be made available, and all groups will get what they were promised. Just under €4 million of the money had been promised to four projects in Donegal. Deputy Pearse Doherty says the money, which

Donegal Deputy Charles Ward has called for the establishment of a new Dental School in the North West. The 100% Redress TD told the Dail today he doesn’t believe issues in the public or private dental sector, particularly in rural areas, can be addressed without the establishment of a new dental school. He said ATUhas

An Inishowen Councillor claims Uisce Eireann is not fit for purpose. It’s after water outages hit areas across Donegal during the hot weather. Speaking to Michaela Clarke on this morning’s Nine til Noon Show, Cllr Ali Farren says Uisce Eireann have shown negligence towards is the county:   Meanwhile, a local businessman says they are

There has been outrage in Strabane after a video surfaced online of a woman dumping rubbish on the bypass. Local Councillor Paul Boggs has confirmed the case has been forwarded to the PSNI. It’s after another incident of fly tipping in Murlock. Speaking to Michaela Clarke on this morning’s Nine til Noon Show says the

Farmers are expecting bad news today when the European Commission announces a major overhaul of the Common Agricultural Policy. It’s expected to merge CAP into a super-fund along with other sectors, meaning agriculture will no longer have a ringfenced budget. The IFA says it’s potentially devastating, coming alongside potential US tariffs. President of the Irish

The Chair of Donegal County Council’s Defective Blocks Committee has told a meeting this week that he’s received confirmation from Minister James Browne that Letters of Assurance must be issued by Donegal County Council in the cases of houses remediated under options two to five. The letters are necessary so that houses can be sold

Early Childhood Ireland is calling for educators in in its sector to be given pay parity with primary teachers. The organisation says there is a 20.7% staff turnover rate in Donegal, and addressing the pay differential would help address that issue. In its Pre-Budget submission, Early Childhood Ireland is urging the government to name a

The government has begun an online survey of the diaspora to seek their views and perspectives, particularly in terms of those who wish to return home. The survey will also examine how those who left Ireland and fell on hard times can be better supported. Speaking to Highland Radio earlier today, Junior Minister Neale Richmond

The Irish Red Cross has announced funding for 14 community projects as part of the final phase of the Creeslough Community Support Fund. A total of €1,957,609 was raised through the Irish Red Cross, almost 90% of which was used to support families of the bereaved and others who suffered loss and were heavily affected

The Dail has been told it would be easy for the government to extend increases to the Defective Block Scheme cap to those who were already on the scheme when the change was announced last year. Speaking ahead of agreement on the Order of Business in the Dail this afternoon, Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn told Taoiseach

A West Donegal Councillor has requested an urgent meeting with Uisce Eireann in front of the media. It’s after Falcarragh faced water outages during the hottest weekend of the year, and surrounding towns have been left without water today. Cllr Michael McClafferty says the authority needs to take responsibility now: Meanwhile, Eddie McFadden, a shop

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses in relation to an alleged assault that occurred in Letterkenny yesterday. A man was assaulted outside a takeaway in the early hours of the morning. He was taken to Letterkenny University Hospital with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening. Garda Grainne Doherty made this appeal on the morning’s