Author name: highlandnews

HIQA to review inspection procedure following RTÉ Investigates programme

HIQA is reviewing how it inspects nursing homes, after the findings of an RTÉ Investigates report. The authority says it’s committed to improving its regulatory processes after serious care issues were uncovered at two homes run by Emeis Ireland. The company also operates three facilities in Donegal. It says it will strengthen its oversight, including

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€273,430 allocated to support people with disabilities in Donegal

Two accessibility projects in Donegal will benefit from a total of €273,430 to support people with disabilities, according to Senator Nikki Bradley. Almost €139,000 has been allocated to the Bluestack Special Needs Foundation. Shine Drama, Music and Dance was allocated over €134,400 and will cater to people in Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo. Senator

€273,430 allocated to support people with disabilities in Donegal Read More »

Gardai launch their Donegal International Rally Policing Plan on Lifford Bridge

  Gardai are promising increased patrols and checkpoints in Donegal over the course of the rally weekend. Speaking to Highland Radio News at a special launch of their policing operation today, Chief Superintendent Goretti Sheridan said the next few days are among the busiest of the year for the force in Donegal: The PSNI will

Gardai launch their Donegal International Rally Policing Plan on Lifford Bridge Read More »

Public transport infrastructure in Donegal needs significant investment – Ward

Deputy Charles Ward has told the Dáil that people in Donegal are unable to rely on public transport to get them where they need to go. Speaking during a Dail debate on the public transport experience today, Deputy Ward said the lack of a rail network contributes to chronic traffic issues in Letterkenny and other

Public transport infrastructure in Donegal needs significant investment – Ward Read More »

LUH consultant says minister must request a full business case for a surgical hub in Letterkenny

Consultant Anaesthetist Louise Moran says local doctors and GPs are asking Minister Jennifer Carroll McNeill to do is to examine a business case for Letterkenny using the same metrics and standards applied to the Sligo decisions. She was one of a number of consultants and GPOs who met the minister last night. She told Greg

LUH consultant says minister must request a full business case for a surgical hub in Letterkenny Read More »

HSE Regional Manager says Sligo remains his preferred location for a surgical hub

The HSE decision to back Sligo as the location for a North West Surgical Hub is not being reviewed. On today’s Nine til Noon Show, HSE Regional Manager Tony Canavan told Greg Hughes he has always believed Sligo is the correct location for a hub, and that remains his recommendation to the minister. He told

HSE Regional Manager says Sligo remains his preferred location for a surgical hub Read More »

NTPF stats prove need for Surgical Hub in Letterkenny – Mac Lochlainn

It’s emerged that almost €29 million was paid out to private hospitals in 2023 and 2024 under the National Treatment Purchase Fund to reduce the elective in-patient and day-case surgery waiting lists at Letterkenny University Hospital. Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn says with the controversy growing over the crisis in surgical provision at LUH, it’s wrong that

NTPF stats prove need for Surgical Hub in Letterkenny – Mac Lochlainn Read More »

Government and SF clash in the Dail over rental priorities

Opposition parties claim the Government’s policy on renting will lead to a permanent housing crisis. Last night, Sinn Féin tabled a series of amendments to the Residential Tenancies Bill, which seeks to extend rent pressure zones to the entire country. Housing Minister James Browne had told the Dail the government’s intention is to see a

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Donegal clinicians and health minister to meet again in two weeks

  A delegation of Consultants and General Practitioners from Donegal met with Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill last evening to discuss Letterkenny University Hospital and the positioning of a surgical hub in the North West, with a follow-up meeting set for two weeks time. The clinicians presented data on geography, population and demographics, day case numbers,

Donegal clinicians and health minister to meet again in two weeks Read More »

MEP Mullooly calls on EIB to support private investors in Irish housing market

A Midlands Northwest MEP has asked the European Investment Bank to take emergency measures to support private investors who are now urgently needed to build new homes and apartments in Ireland. MEP Ciaran Mullooly, Vice Chair of the Housing Crisis Committee, says that a lack of infrastructure such as wastewater treatment and transport links is

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Foyle Hospice sees success in Pathfinder that allows staff to prescribe medication

A recently established Pathfinder has enabled Foyle Hospice staff to prescribe medicine to palliative patients living in their own homes. It enables specialist palliative care doctors and nurses to directly prescribe, which is then supplied via local community pharmacies. The Pathfinder ran from September 2024 to March 2025 and enabled more timely access to the

Foyle Hospice sees success in Pathfinder that allows staff to prescribe medication Read More »

13 and 18 year old arrested in connection with unrest in Derry last night

A second arrest has been made in relation to disorder in Derry last night on Nailors Row. Masonry and fireworks were used to attack police between 9:30 pm and midnight, resulting in the injury of three officers. Two male teenagers, aged 13 and 18, were arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour and have since been

13 and 18 year old arrested in connection with unrest in Derry last night Read More »

Derry & Strabane sees largest increase in registered businesses in NI

The Derry and Strabane region has seen the largest growth in the number of registered businesses across any district in Northern Ireland. That’s according to the latest Inter-Departmental Business Register statistics. The 3.5% increase means there are 195 more businesses in the council area compared to last year, bringing the total to 5,770.

Derry & Strabane sees largest increase in registered businesses in NI Read More »

Public Inquiry to be held into Mother and Baby Homnes in NI

Legislation has been introduced to set up a long-awaited public inquiry into mother and baby homes in Northern Ireland. It also allows for a redress scheme which will see victims and survivors receive a 10 thousand pound payment. Thousands of pregnant women and girls passed through the institutions between the 1920s and 1990s. Many faced

Public Inquiry to be held into Mother and Baby Homnes in NI Read More »

Gardai investigation traffic collisions in Buncrana and Derrybeg

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to two collisions in recent days. One, involving a vehicle and two pedestrians occurred at Main Street, Buncrana on Tuesday last. The other, a single vehicle collision happened on Thursday morning last at Stramartin, Derrybeg Garda Grainne Doherty made this appeal for information on today’s Nine til Noon Show with

Gardai investigation traffic collisions in Buncrana and Derrybeg Read More »

Donegal doctors to meet with Health Minister later today

A delegation of doctors will meet with Health Minister Jennifer Carroll McNeill in Dublin this evening. The minister will also have discussions with Donegal political representatives, and the HSE’s regional manager Tony Canavan. The doctors will present the minister with a document outlining why they believe a Surgical Hub should be located at Letterkenny University

Donegal doctors to meet with Health Minister later today Read More »

Housing to dominate weekly cabinet meeting as opposition prepares for Dail debate

Housing will once again dominate the Cabinet meeting this morning, ahead of an opposition motion in the Dáil later today. Plans to extend the rent pressure zones to the entire country will be discussed, as well as the establishment of a new planning authority. The Housing Minister James Browne wants the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill

Housing to dominate weekly cabinet meeting as opposition prepares for Dail debate Read More »

Daniel O’Donnell assures fans that he and Majella are healthy and well

Country music star Daniel O’Donnell has again appealed to his fans to refrain from engaging with fake social media accounts. The Donegal singer says that there are multiple posts claiming that he and his wife Majella, are suffering illness, and that it is simply not true. He took to social media to ensure that he

Daniel O’Donnell assures fans that he and Majella are healthy and well Read More »

Donegal Senator calls for thatching course to be taught in Donegal ETB

There are approximately 2,000 thatched buildings in Ireland, but only 15-20 trained thatchers. Donegal Senator Manus Boyle has called the statistic alarming. As a result, there is a wait list of one year to see repair jobs carried out. Senator Boyle says he wants to see specialised traditional skills such as thatching, stonemasonry, and blacksmithery

Donegal Senator calls for thatching course to be taught in Donegal ETB Read More »

Three arrests in Newbuildings after dangerous driving incident in Castlederg

Police investigating reports of dangerous driving in Tyrone and Derry at the weekend, are appealing for witnesses. Shortly before 11.15 yesterday morning, police received a report of a red Vauxhall Vectra with a flat tyre driving erratically in the Drumquin Road area of Castlederg. At 2.15 yesterday afternoon, a vehicle matching the description was located

Three arrests in Newbuildings after dangerous driving incident in Castlederg Read More »