Author name: oisinkelly

A local property tax exemption for homeowners affected by mica and pyrite “doesn’t scratch the surface” of what’s needed to resolve issues with the government’s redress scheme, according to the Mica Action Group. Yesterday it was announced that people eligible for its defective block grant scheme will have the tax waived temporarily. PRO of the […]

Thousands of people are returning to work today as hotels and B&B’s reopen. Guesthouses and self-catering accommodation can also reopen, as part of the further easing of restrictions. Paul Diver, Chair of the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels Federation and owner of the Sandhouse Hotel says bookings are looking healthy for July and August.

A Mica homeowner says the power of the people on the ground is stronger than those in power. Affected homeowners are travelling to Dublin for a demonstration outside the Convention Centre, to highlight calls for a 100% redress scheme. Paddy Diver says on June 15th he will be hand delivering a letter to the Taoiseach:

A Donegal County Councillor has written to the leaders of opposition parties urging them to table a motion in the Dail calling for a 100% Mica redress scheme. Councillor Frank McBrearty is urging TDs to also put pressure on the Government to remove a cap of the total amount of funding a homeowner can claim

A Donegal Deputy has called for an overhaul of the Disabled Drivers Scheme and Primary Medical Certificate qualification assessment criteria. Deputy Thomas Pringle told the Dail that the current scheme has resulted in many people with disabilities losing out on mobility supports. No review process for the scheme is in place and people have to

The Chair of the Joint Policing Committee is calling on Gardai to step up their patrols in the Gartan, Beechwood and Ard Colmcille areas of Letterkenny. It comes following a recent spate of fires at Gartan field and on the site of a vacant house in Ard Colmcille. Councillor Gerry McMonagle says people in the

Local Property Tax is to be waived for Mica affected homeowners. It was agreed at a Cabinet meeting yesterday that Mica homeowners would be exempt from LPT in line with a similar decision made for pyrite homes. Minister Paschal Donohoe is expected to make an official announcement later today with the legislation set to be

Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty has told the Dail that the Government’s strategy is to cross it’s fingers and hope the insurance industry will do the right thing and cut premiums in line with Personal Injuries Guidelines. He brought his Judicial Council Amendment Bill to its second stage during Private Members Business last evening which would

The chief medical officer says the country will remain ‘vulnerable’ in June and July because a large amount of the population won’t be vaccinated. Dr Tony Holohan says no assurances can be given that the level of Covid-19 will remain similar to recent weeks. In a letter to the Health Minister, he expressed concern about

The Government needs to step up and take responsibility for failing its citizens by putting in place inadequate remedial measures for Mica affected homeowners. That’s according to Midlands North West MEP Luke Ming Flanagan who has voiced his support for a 100% redress scheme. He says an off the shelf proven mechanism to address the

Hotels and B&Bs can welcome back guests for the first time in more than 5 months from today. Guesthouses and self-catering accommodation can also reopen, as part of the government’s planned easing of restrictions. The Irish Hotels Federation says today’s reopening will result in more than 30,000 staff returning to work over summer. Restaurants and

Gardai in Donegal are warning people to remain on high alert as scams continue to do the rounds in the county. The latest scams being reported relate to a supposed parcel delivery and refunds of social welfare payments. People are reminded to never disclose personal details over the phone or online. Sergeant Charlene Anderson says

A Donegal Deputy continues to call for mother and baby home burial grounds to be protected in county development plans. It comes after An Bord Pleanála refused planning for 179 apartments on a portion of the former Bessborough mother and baby home grounds in Cork. Deputy Thomas Pringle says the designation of mother and baby

The last PUP payments will be made on February 8th next year. The government’s confirmed that the Pandemic Unemployment Payment will be phased out, starting in September. As part of the National Economic Recovery Plan, the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme is being extended until December 31st this year. The 9 per cent VAT rate for

An investigation has been launched into an incident in the Market Square area of Letterkenny on Friday last. The incident involved a group of girls and it’s reported that a physical altercation took place between 4pm and 5pm. Sergeant Charlene Anderson says CCTV footage of the area is being reviewed:

Mica has been labelled a national emergency. The Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council says it is the biggest issue to ever face the people of Donegal. Yesterday’s meeting of Donegal County Council was dedicated to the defective block issue which is affecting thousands of homeowners in the county. All County Councillors have agreed to campaign

352 applications have been received by Donegal County Council under the Mica Redress Scheme to date. Of those applications, 183 have been approved, a third of which are for the demolition of homes. The Defective Concrete Block Grant Scheme opened for applications in June last year. Chair of the Council’s Mica Redress Committee, Councillor Martin

Funding has been announced for the refurbishment of Ballyliffin playground. It’s under a €6 million fund announced by government to encourage children and families to get outside and play as restrictions ease over the coming months. The ‘Summer of Play’ initiative will see grants, supports and information resources rolled out for childcare facilities and local

The number of patients going to GPs with symptoms of Covid-19 is at its lowest level in nearly a year. It comes as 378 new cases were confirmed yesterday – with the five-day moving average standing at 424. 98 patients are in hospital with the virus, with 35 in intensive care. Dr Shane McKeogh runs

Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty is bringing legislation before the Dail today which if passed would force insurance companies to pass any savings onto customers. The Judicial Council (Amendment) Bill 2021 would require the insurance industry to provide information to the Central Bank outlining how the cost of claims has reduced as a result of the

Main Evening News, Sport and Obituaries Monday May 31st: