Author name: highlandnews

Early Childhood Ireland says the pandemic has focussed peoples’ minds on the importance of education for children under 5, and they want that reflected in government investment in the sector. The body has just published its annual barometer of opinion, with 79% of people in the North West saying they believe that young children have […]

  The Director of Emergency Services at Donegal County Council says Storm Eunice has not had the same level of impact on Donegal as was initially feared. Parts of the county have experienced minor falls of snow compared to areas on higher ground. It is hoped that the routes which are currently blocked will reopen

  A Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle is backing calls for a public enquiry into the so-called Garda ‘Heavy Gang’. A recent RTE series alleges that a professional group of Garda investigators and interrogators existed within An Garda Síochána during the 80s, with claims that they used coercive interview tactics. Speaking in the Dail, Deputy Pringle

  The age of applicants who must supply a medical report to secure a driving licence will increase from 70 to 75 from Monday. The requirement had been temporarily suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic to ease pressure on medical services. However, those who have an identified illness will still be required to do so by

  Schools and colleges in Donegal and eight other counties will be shut today due to Storm Eunice. It’s bringing strong winds of up to 130 kilometres per hour, with a Red wind warning coming to an end around now in Cork, Kerry and Clare. A red alert for Waterford will stay in place until

  A status red wind warning is in place for four counties this morning due to Storm Eunice. Cork, Kerry and Clare are affected until 8am, while the red alert for Waterford will stay in place until 11am. A status orange snow warning is in effect for Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo and Roscommon until 3pm,

  It’s expected people won’t have to wear facemasks any longer in most settings on February 28th. Nphet’s decided there won’t be a mandatory requirement to wear them in schools, on public transport or in shops. The Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohon is also recommending Nphet should be stood down. NBRU General Secretary Dermot O’Leary

A Donegal Deputy has warned that there has been many false dawns for Mica homeowners in terms of a Redress scheme. Despite the enhanced redress scheme being launched with much fanfare last year, affected homeowners have yet to access it with further delays being faced. Tanaiste Leo Varadkar in recent weeks said he would be

Sinn Fein’s Finance Spokesperson and the Green Party leader have clashed in the Dail over cost of living measures announced last week. Minister Eamon Ryan accused Sinn Fein of constantly changing their approach after Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty hit out at what he said was Minister Ryan’s determination to increase already soaring energy prices with

Schools in Donegal are to close tomorrow as Storm Eunice arrives. The Department of Education has confirmed that due to the extreme nature of Storm Eunice and the threat of multi-hazard weather events as confirmed by Met Éireann, it is advising that schools in counties where Status Red wind warnings and status Orange snow warnings

The laws enforcing masks in shops and on public transport are due to expire at the end of the month. Minister Simon Harris says the rule is likely to be dropped if that’s what the public health advice is……. Letterkenny Hair stylist Patrick Gildea they will continue to wear face coverings in his premises after

  Momentum is said to be building around the idea of establishing an Educate Together secondary school in Letterkenny. Currently, there is an Educate Together primary school in the town but it’s thought that there could be an appetite locally for pupils to have the option to progress to a similar school at second level.

The European Consumer Centre says some people are still awaiting refunds from certain airlines for cancelled flights almost two years after their travel plans were affected by Covid 19. The ECC says some airlines have not returned all monies owed, even though they are obliged to do so under the law. ECC Spokesperson Dr Cyril

  Garda management should be using the Garda Reserve more, particularly at community level. That’s according to a former member of the Reserve, who spoke to Greg Hughes on the Nine til Noon Show today following calls yesterday from Cllr Albert Doherty for more gardai to address antisocial behaviour in Carndonagh.   Donal, who had

  The Minister for the OPW says the Corn & Flax Mills in Newmills will not be given any significant funding unless visitor numbers increase. The OPW owned facility on the outskirts of Letterkenny is said to have huge tourism potential, with calls for it to be promoted better on a national stage. A number

A Donegal County Councillor is urging people to take part in a public consultation on how the Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta should be selected. The public and interested organisations are being invited to share their opinions and suggestions in writing with the Department in relation to the matter between now and 25 March 2022.

The State’s emergency weather response team’s warning of potential power cuts ahead of the arrival of Storm Eunice. The storm’s expected to arrive early tomorrow morning, bringing strong winds and coastal flooding. A Status Orange Wind Warning’s will be in place in seven southern counties, while a yellow alert for wind, rain and snow will

  The Dail will today hear calls for hospital parking to be made free for people with outpatient appointments. Aontu leader Peadar Tobin and Independent TD Cathal Berry are putting forward a bill that’s proposing three hours of free parking for every hospital visit. A government spokesperson says it has no plans to oppose the

  A Donegal Deputy has accused the Taoiseach of refusing to hear statements from opposition parties in the Dail. Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn claims for two weeks in a row Government has refused to hear any statements requested by those in the opposition. He says this is despite Micheal Martin previously committing to two debates on

  The Dail has been told that the transport system in Ireland is a system of inequality, and immediate action is needed to replace services and allowances which have been scaled down, or are no longer available. Deputy Thomas Pringle was speaking during a debate on mobility and transport supports for people with disabilities. He

  Hefty penalties could be on the way for anyone found to be interfering with defibrillators or life buoys. The Seanad will today debate the Life Saving Equipment Bill 2017, as part of its journey through the Oireachtas. It would impose a maximum five year sentence, a 50,000 euro fine or both for anyone convicted.

The strength of sterling and interest from Northern Ireland, could be contributing to high house prices in the border region. That’s according to the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers. It comes as CSO figures show residential property prices nationally went up by 14.4 per cent in 2021. However, homes near the border saw increases

The Taoiseach has been pressed to ensure an investigation into HSE management in the North West is carried out. Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle called on Micheal Martin in the Dail today to investigate what he’s described as “ongoing patterns of failure” in residential centres in the region. It comes following details contained in the Brandon

Latest figures show people in Dublin have the highest disposable incomes in the state, while people in Donegal have the fourth lowest. Preliminary CSO statistics for 2020 show disposable income in Dublin was €27,913 compared to a national average of €23,615. The lowest regional disposable income was €18,378, recorded in the Midlands, while the Border

The government should be providing more cash to pig farmers in “dire” need. That’s according to a Midlands North West MEP. According to the Irish Farmers Association, other European countries have used post-pandemic funding to increase aid to their farmers. The IFA says farmers are facing “spiralling costs” which are outside their control. MEP, Chris

  The Director of Emergency Services at Donegal County Council is urging people to be on the alert on foot of severe weather warnings issued by Met Éireann. Storm Dudley will bring long spells of rain, spot flooding and very strong winds over the next 24 hours. A Status Yellow Wind Warning is in effect

Regulations mandating facemasks to be worn in shops, public transport and schools are expected to be dropped. NPHET will meet tomorrow, and is expected to replace the rules with guidance urging people to continue wearing face coverings. Stranorlar based Dr Denis McAuley chairs the Irish Medical Organisation’s GP Committee – He believes this would be