Author name: highlandnews

A Donegal TD says British government plans to introduce an electronic travel authorisation system for cross-border travel on the island of Ireland is unworkable and must be scrapped. Irish citizens would be exempt from this requirement, but Deputy Joe McHugh says in the context of cross border working, it is an impractical proposition………

School students are preparing to strike across the country today, calling for climate action. One of the protests is taking place in Letterkenny today, until 1pm this afternoon at the the Letterkenny town square. Other demonstrations are taking place in Derry, Sligo, Galway and Dublin, joining strikes from schoolchildren worldwide. Anjelica Foley is from Fridays

People who contract Covid-19 could be allowed to return to work sooner under plans being considered by the government. The 7-day isolation period could be reduced according to the Irish Independent as the public and private sector deal with staff shortages. GP Dr Illona Duffy says the rules could be changed to 5-days but only

The issue of the Gola island pipeline has been raised yet again, after another close call this week. It’s believed yet another boat struck the 100 metres of exposed water pipeline earlier this week. Local Councillor Michael Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig says that the approval and materials required to sink the pipe have both been

People are being encouraged to donate today for Daffodil Day. Volunteers will take to the streets across the country selling daffodil pins to raise funds to help cancer patients. You can also donate online at www.daffodilday.ie. Over 9,000 people lose their lives to the illness each year, but there are 200,000 cancer survivors in Ireland.

A World Health Organisation expert is calling for Irish people to wear face-masks in confined places again – like shops, some hospitality venues and public transport. The mask mandate was dropped here nearly a month ago apart from healthcare settings, but Covid hospitalisations have more than doubled since then. 1,419 people were in public hospitals

Society is the problem, not people with a disability. That’s according to a Donegal Senator who told a Joint Committee on Independent and Adequate Standard of Living and Social Protection that the system is not working. Senator Eileen Flynn hit out at what she termed as inappropriate language over people with a disability being referred

Significant efforts are being made to tackle the pressures at Letterkenny University Hospital. Investment is being made to open 23 additional beds at the hospital in the coming weeks as well as 36 more nurses being employed. A meeting was held between the Saolta Healthcare Group and senior management of Letterkenny University Hospital during which

There were 43 people awaiting beds at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning, 26 of them on Emergency Department trolleys. The figure was down 11 on yesterday, and down 18 on Tuesday’s record figure of 18. Today’s figures come as an infectious diseases expert says Irish Emergency Departments are “dangerously overcrowded”. There were 1,425 patients with

A new agreement will see all school secretaries transfer to a new pay-scale aligned with the public service clerical officer scale. The trade union Fórsa, which negotiated the deal, said it comes after a decades-long campaign for pay equity and significantly improves incomes and paid leave arrangements for low-paid secretaries. Many had been earning no

The St Vincent de Paul says it would like to see more targeted measures introduced to help those living in poverty. It comes as the government considers introducing a new income tax band, that would relieve financial pressure on middle-income workers. It could see a 30 percent income tax in place for those earning more

  There’s some positive news this week in terms of care provision in Inishowen. It’s been confirmed that respite services for adults with intellectual disabilities is due to resume at Riverwalk Respite House in the second quarter of this year in addition to residential accommodation being completed for those currently occupying the facility. Meanwhile, plans

  The Finance Minister is looking into new measures to ease the rising cost of living for middle income workers. Currently, those earning below 36,800 euro a year pay 20 percent income tax while those over that salary are taxed at 40 percent. The Tánaiste has asked Paschal Donohoe to consider introducing a 30 percent

  The Government is coming under further pressure to do all it can to avert industrial action by postmasters. An emergency meeting is to be held on Monday where they will consider balloting on industrial action. South Donegal Deputy Marian Harkin told Minister Michael McGrath in the Dail that they have reached a tipping point

  More than 60 percent of residential care settings are now dealing with Covid-19 outbreaks, according to the HSE’s Chief Clinical Officer. Colm Henry says high infection levels and rising hospitalisations are causing serious problems for the health system. Latest figures show almost 1,400 people being treated in public hospitals for the virus, up 50

A Donegal Deputy believes Ireland has a half hearted approach to military neutrality. Speaking during pre European Council Meeting statements in the Dail, Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn said it was clear that Ireland is neutral in words but not in practice. He believes the country has the opportunity to play a role in conflict resolution. But

85 per cent of consumers say they plan to cut back their spending this year. The KBC Bank Ireland consumer sentiment survey recorded a ten point drop this month as the war in Ukraine and inflation start to hit people’s pockets. It had been hoped that money would flow more freely in the economy following

  A Donegal TD has told the Dail it would be unforgivable if the government went ahead with a planned carbon tax increase in May. Speaking on increasing energy prices, Deputy Thomas Pringle said people are being pushed to the brink with no end in sight. Deputy Pringle said household energy bills are set to

The Foreign Affairs Minister says the Irish government has concerns over UK plans to bring in a visa waiver system. The changes would mean all non-Irish EU citizens living in the Republic need travel authorisation to cross the border. The UK’s Northern Ireland Secretary insists it won’t lead to border checks. Minister Simon Coveney says

Brand Donegal was showcased at the annual Boston Saint Patrick’s Day breakfast last Sunday. With a long standing relationship and historical ties between Boston and Donegal the Boston trip led the way for a cultural and economic mission of Donegal County Council delegates and businesses. Another focus of the visit was to highlight what Donegal

An alternative care pathway is to be introduced at Letterkenny University Hospital this year in a bid to address current issues resulting in ambulances becoming backed up at the hospital. The CEO of the Saolta University Health Care Group confirmed in response to Chair of the Regional Health Forum West, Councillor Gerry McMonagle that ‘Pathfinder’

  A surgeon at Letterkenny University Hospital believes that the completion of a recent project conducted at the hospital will have many benefits for patients. Various recommendations have been identified as a result of the ‘Emergency Surgical Outcome Advancement Project’ which aims to improve outcomes and ultimately save lives. Breast Surgeon at Letterkenny University Hospital

There were 54 people awaiting beds at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning, 37 of them on Emergency Department trolleys. That’s down seven on yesterday’s total of 61, which was the highest figure recorded since the INMO’s Trolley Watch survey began. Today’s figure is the second highest in the state. Nationally, 654 patients were awaiting beds

  There are fears that an ancient boat discovered at Lifford Bridge may be lost forever if it’s not preserved sooner rather than later. It’s believed that the 16 foot long log boat dates back to the Iron Age and was found by members of the Lifford Strabane Anglers Association. Over 20 similar vessels have