Author name: oisinkelly

The HSE says a surge in Delta cases will severely limit its ability to deliver non covid care again. It’s worried that scheduled appointments will have to be cut to deal with an influx of virus patients. However it’s admitted that Ireland is in a different place now, as the vaccination programme offers a defence. […]

The Cathaoirleach of Donegal Municipal District has criticised the vandalism of a emergency defibrillator unit at Mall Park in Ballyshannon. Cllr Barry Sweeny says the outside casing of the unit was cracked, potentially as a result of someone kicking it, and that led to the entire unit having to be replaced as the defibrillator inside

The President of Letterkenny Chamber says there appears to be a lot of holes in plans by the Government to allow only vaccinated people to eat indoors. Cabinet is likely to decide on a date for the possible return of indoor dining on Tuesday. Michael Margey told today’s Nine til Noon Show that the roll

Details of multiple incidents of alleged sexual abuse involving 19 residents at a disability residential facility in Donegal have emerged in the Dail. Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle accused the HSE of failing to take action over the abuse at Ard na Greine in Stranorlar dating back 13 years. Its claimed when HSE management were made

Government officials from Dublin and Stormont have been briefed on the economic opportunities for the North West City Region. The North West Strategic Growth Partnership held a virtual meeting, chaired by the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane Alderman Graham Warke and Donegal County Council Cathaoirleach Jack Murray. The officials were briefed on the North

Ireland has the fourth highest incidence rate of Covid-19 in the EU – with only Cyprus, Portugal and Spain faring worse. The Republic’s 14-day rate is 121 per 100,000 people, with 534 new cases confirmed yesterday. 627 new cases were reported in the North yesterday – the highest since late January. Donegal GP Denis McCauley,

Britain’s main Brexit negotiator is visiting Stormont today to try to end the deadlock over the Northern Ireland Protocol. David Frost will appear before the scrutiny committee to engage with MLAs about the Irish Sea border. European Commission vice-president, Maros Sefcovic, appeared before it a fortnight ago, to discuss the controversial Brexit-related checks. Committee chair

It’s hoped work will start shortly on a new building for the Little Angels Special School in Letterkenny after a contract was signed today between the Patron Board of the school and the HSE for a site. The new school will be built on land between the Donegal Hospice and the Business Park Road, very

Green Party Leader Eamon Ryan has pledged to raise the issue of compensation payments for Mna Tí, who have lost out for a second year because of the cancellation of courses in Gaeltacht summer colleges. Last year, they were paid a total of €4 per student per day, a sum was described as wholly inadequate.

The Cathaoirleach of the Inishowen Municipal District says there was no consultation ahead of the installation of parking restrictions at Culdaff Blue Flag beach. There was widespread opposition from the local community following the installation of the large concrete barriers in recent days. Councillor Bernard McGuinness says Donegal County Council did tell him that measures

A Donegal Deputy has urged the Government to speed up the process for people seeking asylum in Ireland. It’s emerged that someone seeking asylum in Ireland today would have to wait up to two years for a decision on their application with more than 5,000 people in direct provision awaiting a first decision. Minister of

The Taoiseach says new regulatory and insurance mechanisms will have to be established to address future building defects and issues. Speaking in the Dail last evening, Michael Martin said the state is addressing a number of issues, including Mica, Pyrite and issues which arose in some Dublin apartments relating to fire regulations. However, he warned

While frustration was expressed following the second meeting of the Defective Blocks Working Group yesterday, work is said to be ongoing to find solutions for affected homeowners as soon as possible. After the meeting, campaigner Paddy Diver who is one of the homeowner representatives on the working group hit out at what he said was

The Department of Education has granted funding to a Carrigart school to test for Mica. Donegal Deputy Joe McHugh has confirmed that emergency works have been approved for Scoil Eoin Baiste, Carrigart for Fabric Defects Testing costs for Mica. 5 schools in Donegal in total have applied to the Department of Education for emergency funding

Finance Minister Pascal Donohoe has confirmed that the LPT exemption for Mica homeowners will last six years. However, speaking during exchanges with Donegal Deputy and Sinn Fein Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty at the Oireachtas Finance Committee, Minister Donohoe was unable to provide details of how homeowners could apply. He promised to get back to Deputy

Crunch talks aimed at facilitating the swift return of indoor dining will take place this afternoon. Hospitality representatives will meet senior government officials to finalise a plan, following exploratory talks earlier this week. Among the measures to be raised are covid passes, which would allow vaccinated or recovered people access indoor dining. Any agreement reached

The government is being accused of delaying the dredging of the harbour at Magheraroarty. In a question to Local Government Minister Darragh O’Brien, Deputy Thomas Pringle asked why Donegal County Council’s application for a Dredging and Beach Nourishment Licence had not been granted, even though the council lodged it in January. The reply, issued this