Author name: oisinkelly

A Donegal Deputy has called for student renters to be given protection during the pandemic. Deputy Thomas Pringle told Minister Simon Harris that students shouldn’t be out of pocket for Covid-related accommodation. Speaking in the Dail during statements on clauses in the residential tenancies bill to protect student rents, Deputy Pringle told Minister Simon Harris […]

Nearly 7,000 unemployed people have been on the full rate of jobseeker’s allowance for at least ten years. According to latest figures, they include 470 people in Donegal, the second highest figure in the country. Meanwhile, almost 16,000 have been on it for over five years, nearly 1,000 of them are based in Donegal. Sinn

The Green Party in Donegal says the launch of a €3 million, three-year pilot initiative for the provision of high quality up-cycled bicycles and e-bikes for those who are marginalised and disadvantaged is very significant. The party’s Donegal Chairperson Michael White says the initiative marks a huge step forward in making sustainable travel more accessible

The five-day moving average of new cases of Covid-19 has risen by 13 per cent in the past week. It now stands at 424 – compared to 376 seven days ago. 371 new cases and 13 additional deaths were reported yesterday, 3 of them occurred in April. 33 cases were confirmed in Donegal. The county

The ban on inter-county travel is set to be lifted on May 10th, under plans to be considered by cabinet today. Hairdressers, barbers and personal services are set to reopen on the same day, with the cap on weddings and funerals rising to 50. People from three households will be able to meet up in

  Arlene Foster says she’s stepping down as DUP leader and Northern Ireland’s First Minister. It follows calls from within her party for a leadership contest. She’ll step away from heading the DUP on the 28th May – but will remain first minister until the end of June. In a statement, Mrs Foster describes serving

  European MEPs are voting today on a so called Covid passport for European citizens. The digital green certificate would allow people prove they’ve been vaccinated, tested negative or have recovered from the virus. It’s hoped it will be in place in two months but the Irish Travels Agent Association doesn’t think Irish people will

Work is due to recommence on the Gweedore Sewerage Scheme. Irish Water has confirmed that works as part of the Demonstration Project element of the scheme will start in June and will involve the installation of pods at 40 properties with the collected wastewater then to be treated at the existing Údaras na Gaeltachta wastewater

Opposition TDs are criticising the government over what they claim is the ramming through of the National Marine Planning Framework. TDs say 55 minutes has been set aside for debate tomorrow, and that’s not enough. Donegal TD Padraig Mac Lochlainn was the first to raise the issue………… Responding, Taoiseach Michael Martin said this is a

A Donegal Councillor says the government has scored a major own goal in a recently announced scheme to help bars and restaurants open in an outdoor setting. Up to €4,000 will be made available through the scheme, which is being administered by local authorities. However, Cllr Michael Cholm MacGiolla Easbuig says the conditions attached to

There’s a warning up to two thousand jobs could be lost in the fishing industry due to the impact of the post-Brexit trade deal. The agreement between the EU and UK kicked in from January – but it’s now been overwhelmingly backed in a vote by the European Parliament. Under the terms of the deal,

The EU’s plan for a ‘Covid-19 passport’ could move a step closer to reality today. MEPs will vote on whether to introduce the digital green certificates, allowing a return to free movement of people. They’d show whether someone’s recovered from Covid, been fully vaccinated or tested negative. The EU’s hoping to have them in place

A senior cabinet minister says the government can now reach its vaccination targets, after a double boost yesterday. The Johnson and Johnson and AstraZeneca jabs have been approved for use in the over 50s. The government’s aiming to give 82 per cent of the adult population their first dose by the end of June, up

Stormont Justice Minister Naomi Long has agreed to meet with the Omagh families to discuss their campaign for a Public Enquiry into the bombing 23 years ago. The issue was raised by West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan, who asked the minister via a video link whether she supported the campaign. Minister Long said her party

A member of the Regional Health Forum West believes the current model used by the National Ambulance Service is not suitable for the North West. It comes as latest figures from the HSE show that an ambulance took over 1 hour and 38 minutes to respond to an emergency call in Donegal which is over

The European Parliament will vote to ratify the EU-UK trade deal tonight. MEPs have been debating the contents of the agreement, which is only provisionally in place since January and expires at the end of this month. It’s expected MEPs will vote to pass the deal. Fine Gael MEP Frances Fitzgerald says she will back

The Johnson and Johnson and AstraZeneca vaccines have been approved for use in over-50s. Cabinet ministers signed off on the move this morning following advice from NIAC. The single-shot Johnson and Johnson jab can also be used for under-50s when other vaccines are not available. Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said it’s a boost for the

The EU will ‘not hesitate’ to take action against the UK if it breaks the conditions outlined in its trade agreement with the bloc. European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen issued the warning during a debate in the European Parliament, which will vote on the trade deal tonight. It has been in place provisionally

The Western Development Commission has launched a new online jobs portal aimed at attracting people to relocate to the North West. Westernjobs.ie will help job seekers find roles across the region and assist employers in gauging the availability and depth of skills they require. With more and more people working remotely due to the Covid-19

Ratification of the Brexit deal offers a chance for a “new start” between the UK and the EU. That’s according to Midlands North-West MEP, Colm Markey who has been speaking ahead of a European Parliament vote today on the EU-UK Trade deal brokered at the end of last year. The deal came into provisional force

Gardai in Buncrana and Letterkenny are investigating thefts from a number of cars. Between 4:45pm and 8:45pm on Saturday last, a black River Island handbag with a badge and gold chains containing a large sum of money was stolen from an unlocked car in Carndonagh. Meanwhile, in Letterkenny on Saturday also between 10pm and 10:30am

Donegal has been identified as one of three Covid hotspots in the country. The county continues to hold the highest 14 day incidence rate of the virus in Ireland at 288.3 cases per 100,000 people. Tests carried out at the walk in test centre in Letterkenny which opened on Saturday has returned one of the

Donegal County Council is considering how best to update and enhance the information boards at the Bernard McGlinchey Town Park. Cllr Gerry McMonagle and Municipal District Cathaoirleach Donal Coyle raised the issue at a recent council meeting, with Cllr McMonagle saying the maps are so outdated they show the Oatfield Sweet Factory to be open,