Author name: highlandnews

McConalogue meets pig farmers as pressure for support package grows

The Agriculture Minister says he’s ‘acutely aware’ of the challenges facing pig-farmers. Charlie McConalogue met the IFA last night to discuss the future of the sector. Pig-farmers protested outside his department yesterday morning, calling for a 100 million euro rescue package. Speaking in the Dáil last night, Minister McConalogue said he’s considering the proposal……….

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Donegal projects urged to enter Digital Towns competition

Communities in Donegal are being urged to enter the .IE Digitial Towns competition, with entries closing on Friday. The awards have a total prize fund of €100,000 across 14 categories and were created to honour local towns and people who, through digital projects and innovation, have contributed to the betterment of specific areas. Oonagh McCutcheon,

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Cost of helping 10,000 Ukrainian refugees could hit €500M

  It could cost up to 500 million euro to help 10,000 Ukrainian refugees in Ireland for a year. That’s according to the Public Expenditure Minister, who reiterated the government won’t be putting a number on how many refugees it expects to receive. Minister Michael Mc Grath added that the Department is providing funding to

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Gardai investigate criminal damage in Milford and Buncrana

Gardaí are investigating criminal damage incidents in Milford and Buncrana. At Golan, Milford, between 7 o’clock on Wednesday night and 7 o’clock on Sunday morning last, the windows of a Komatsu digger parked in the area were smashed. Meanwhile, at St. Egney’s Terrace on the Cockhill Rd in Buncrana, the front window and the glass

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Auto-enrolment pension plan being presented to cabinet

Employees will have 4 euro paid into their pension for every three euro they contribute under the auto-enrolment scheme going to Cabinet this morning. The move from Minister Heather Humphreys will mean 750-thousand people without any pension will be automatically signed up for one in 2024. Auto-enrollment will see all workers earning over 20,000 euro

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‘Perfect storm’ at LUH to be raised in Dail

The Dail will hear further calls on the Health Minister to visit Donegal and see first-hand the ‘perfect storm’ being experienced at Letterkenny University Hospital. Donegal Deputy Padraig McLaughlin met with an INMO representative in recent days, and has described details emerging from hospital staff as ‘harrowing’. He says issues with the NowDoc system, a

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NI election campaign begins as Stormont is suspended

Campaigning for May’s elections in Northern Ireland officially gets underway today. The Stormont Assembly dissolved at midnight last night. It brought to an end a chaotic five year term, which saw power-sharing collapse twice, in 2017 and again earlier this year. Journalist and Political commentator, Alex Kane, says the weeks ahead are going to be

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“Spring into Storytime” returns to Donegal County Libraries

During the month of April, the Donegal County Library Service, in association with Donegal County Council, are holding a special programme of events for children up to the age of 10. Spring into Storytime 2022 will feature a range of interactive in-person events across public libraries in County Donegal. Spring into Storytime 2022 is the

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Donegal could be targeted by organised crime gang – Wallace

  Gardai are warning business premises in Donegal which would stock large amounts of cigarettes that the last number of days has seen a number of break-ins in such premises across the country, and particularly in western counties. Crime prevention Officer Sgt Paul Wallace says thee is clearly a well informed and prepared organised crime

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Donegal County Council, County House, Lifford

€2.3 million set aside for Housing Adaptation Grants in Donegal

€2.32 million has been announced in funding for Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability living in Donegal. 80% of the money is coming from government, with matching funding from Donegal County Council. Grants of up to €30,000 are available to assist disabled people in carrying out necessary works to make

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Beaumont Consultant says hospital parking charges should be reduced

The HSE got over 5 million euro in car parking charges at its public hospitals last year. According to Freedom of Information files, the average was 244,000 per hospital. The figures cover 21 statutory hospital car parks, with no figures available for Letterkenny or Sligo. By far the highest was the 1.25 million euro in

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Pringle sceptical about UK guarantees on Electronic Travel Authorisation plan

A Donegal Deputy has described a proposed electronic travel authorisation system for non-Irish EU citizens in Northern Ireland as “unworkable”. Deputy Thomas Pringle will be bringing up the issue in the Dail this week – after a previous Dail debate was halted by the Foreign Affairs Minister not attending. The British Government says that there

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Claims Health Minister, Holohan clashing over NPHET replacement

The Health Minister and outgoing Chief Medical Officer are reportedly at odds over the make-up of a new Covid advisory group. The Sunday Independent reports Dr. Tony Holahan advised on its members last month, however Stephen Donnelly’s said to want a different group, following the winding-down of NPHET. Political Correspondent with the Sunday Independent, Hugh

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Covid hospital rates nationwide continue to rise

Covid infection rates in hospitals continue to rise, with 1,569 people currently receiving hospital treatment nationwide, that’s up 111 in 24 hours. There are also 51 Covid patients in ICUs, unchanged from yesterday. At Letterkenny University Hospital there are still 67 Covid-positive patients admitted there, down 9 from yesterday, but still continuing one of the

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Police in Derry appeal for info after weekend robbery

Police in Derry say they’re appealing for information, following reports of a robbery in Derry city yesterday afternoon. They say the robbery occurred at a bookmakers’ shop on the Lecky Road, at approximately 4:10pm on Saturday. According to Police, the suspect, described as being around 6’2” tall and wearing a grey hooded top and dark

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Coveney showing ‘contempt’ for Dail – Pringle

A Donegal TD says Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney showed a shocking contempt for the Dáil when he failed to appear for a scheduled debate on the UK’s proposed electronic travel authorisation for cross-border travel. Deputy Thomas Pringle raised the matter under Topical Issues, saying this is something that will have a particular impact on

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