Author name: oisinkelly

International travel for holidays is set to return on July 19th, under plans going to cabinet this afternoon. On June 7th, restaurants and pubs can open for outdoor dining, while cinemas and gyms will also reopen. Outdoor gatherings of up to 100 people will be allowed in June, or up to 200 in very large […]

A public health expert says it’s only a matter of time before there’s significant spread of the Indian variant to Ireland. Up to three-quarters of new cases in the UK are of the Indian strain and it’s spreading. It comes as 436 cases of Covid 19 have been confirmed in the Republic and 39 people

A Cork TD claims young people in the City are being offered Driving Theory Tests slots in Donegal later this summer when they apply online. Tanaiste Leo Varadkar pledged to look at providing more slots after Cork South West Deputy Chris O’Sullivan outlined the situation facing young people applying for the test online………  

The General Manager of Letterkenny University Hospital says the hospital is recovering from the HSE cyber attack but says services are still restricted. Some of the hospital’s servers have been restarted and limited services have resumed in the radiology department. All outpatient clinics are still cancelled at the hospital as well as diagnostic and endoscopy

An Inishowen Councillor is urging Donegal County Council to write to the Health Minister as a matter of urgency to make life-saving Amyloidosis treatment available in Ireland. Councillor Terry Crossan will bring forward a motion at the Council’s next plenary meeting, on the non provision of the Amyloidosis treatment, Patisiran. Cllr Crossan says it is

Mica affected homeowners from Donegal will travel to Leinster House in the coming weeks in a bid to further highlight their calls for a 100% redress scheme. The decision to take their campaign to Dublin on June 15th has been sparked by comments made by Minister Malcolm Noonan in the Dail this week that the

A South Donegal Deputy believes it is time NPHET took a step back. The National Public Health Emergency Team has been to the forefront of advising and making many crucial decisions during the Covid 19 pandemic. Deputy Marc MacSharry feels the micromanaging from the group is no longer needed. He says with the rollout of

Environment Minister Eamon Ryan has pledged to raise the issue of the Seaview respite centre in Mountcharles with the Health Minister. Minister Ryan was responding in the Dail to Donegal TD Thomas Pringle, who said while the centre is reopening, it hasn’t done so fully, and it’s vital a full seven day service is restored

The Taoiseach says half of the adult population will have their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine by next week. It comes as 99 patients are in hospital with the virus – the lowest figure reported by the Department of Health since September 24th. It has fallen by 46 per cent in the past month,

Senior government ministers will meet this evening to finalise the plan to further ease Covid-19 restrictions. The cabinet sub-committee of Covid will consider advice issued by NPHET, which met yesterday morning. Tomorrow the Taoiseach will announce plans for the resumption of live entertainment, indoor dining and international travel. Former HSE director-general, Tony O’Brien, believes indoor

People in Donegal are being asked to respond to a Sinn Fein survey on waiting lists, which Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn says will be used to tell the real story of what is happening. Deputy MacLochlainn says there doesn’t appear to be an understanding at government level of the extent to which long healthcare waiting lists

NPHET’s view on the further easing of restrictions is positive according to the Health Minister. Cabinet will meet on Friday to consider public health advice on the easing of restrictions through July and beyond. It’s expected decisions on dates for indoor dining, live events and international travel will be given later this week. Minister Stephen

A Donegal Estate Agent says the Covid 19 pandemic has had a major impact on the housing market in the county, particularly in terms of remote working. Speaking on Highland Radio’s Business Matters podcast with Ciaran O’Donnell, Boyd Robinson said he has been extremely busy since the start of the pandemic. He says there are

A Donegal Deputy has called on Letterkenny University Hospital to end maternity restrictions. Deputy Pearse Doherty says not allowing partners or family members attend appointments, scans or to be present during the mother’s labour is cruel. He says while it is welcomed that the new maternity suite is opened at the hospital, the issue of

Failte Ireland guidelines for the resumption of hospitality have been published. The proposals had been expected yesterday, but were held-up at the Department of Taoiseach for further “observation”. A cap of 6 adults per booking’s is included in the guidelines – along with a 105 minute time limit for indoor dining WITHOUT social distancing. Imelda

The HSE’s National Clinical Advisor and Group Lead with Acute Hospitals says while the cyber attack is challenging on the system at Letterkenny University Hospital , staff and management are working to reduce the risk to patients and deliver care as safely as possible. Dr Vida Hamilton says the impact of the attack on hospital’s

About 10,000 appointments are being cancelled this week in the Saolta Group, which runs seven hospitals in the west and northwest, including Letterkenny University Hospital. It called off a similar number last week, due to the cyber attack. Saolta chief executive Tony Canavan says this will have short and long-term consequences:

A Donegal Senator has appealed to the Housing Minister to address issues with the Mica Redress Scheme as quickly as possible. Senator Niall Blaney told Minister Darragh O’Brien in the Seanad that the current redress scheme is undermining family life for many in Donegal. Mica affected homeowners continue to campaign for a 100% scheme with

The Agriculture Minister is working to improve Ireland’s fishing quota, after it was adjusted post-Brexit. Over 60 fishing boats are currently making their way up the River Lee in Cork to deliver a letter to the Taoiseach’s constituency office. Fishermen say the reduced quota imposed by the European Commission will cost thousands of jobs unless

Almost half of County Councillors across the country have considered or are considering standing down because of threats and harassment. A survey by the Association of Irish Local Government in partnership with the Crime Management Group reveals also that 70% of Councillors have been threatened, harassed and intimidated over the past 3 years. Councillor Nicholas

Questions over the design, funding and operation of the Mica Redress scheme have come before the Dail. Donegal Deputies Joe McHugh and Padraig MacLochlainn raised the issues facing local homeowners affected by the defective block issue with Minister Malcolm Noonan last night. Deputy Joe McHugh says in his 20 years in politics he has never

The Dail will vote later on extending the government’s emergency Covid powers until November. The measures, which include the mandate to wear facemasks and a ban on large gatherings, were due to expire in June. A provision in the bill will also allow for a further three month extension if deemed necessary. Opposition parties and

The HSE’s warning patients to expect ‘widespread cancellations’ of hospital appointments again next week. Some computer systems have been restored after the cyber-attack ten days ago – but most have not. Emergency departments are still very busy due to the loss of IT equipment, while hospital, community and screening services are still affected. The HSE’s