Author name: oisinkelly

    The Donegal Local Development Company has acknowledged the publication of the Government’s Rural Development Strategy, welcoming the ambition of the policy announcement and its potential for Donegal. CEO Padraic Fingleton says Local Development Companies such as DLDC have been pillars of rural development for over 30 years, and are well placed to work […]

Donegal Deputy and Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue has defended the government’s decision to alter the vaccination priority protocols, saying it is based on scientific advice and designed to achieve the most effective programme possible. On today Nine til Noon Show with Greg Hughes, Minister Mc Conalogue also confirmed that once we enter the next phase

There’s been a major breakthrough in the ongoing development of the Fort George site in Derry with confirmation that part of it has been offered as a site for a new Health and Care Centre. The Department for Communities, which owns Fort George, announced that it has established an agreement with the Western Trust to

A row has broken out in the Dail with the Ceann Comhairle being accused of turning off the microphones of Sinn Fein Deputies. Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn claimed for the second week, the microphones of Sinn Fein deputies have been turned off after running over speaking time. The issue came to the fore today as

The President of Letterkenny Chamber says much more clarity is needed for businesses to enable them plan for reopening. The retail sector has yet to be given a definitive date for the resumption of their services with click and collect services not allowed to return until at least May. Michael Margey says business owners need

Cafes and restaurants will be able to get a grant of up to 4,000 euro to set up an outdoor dining space in time for Summer. A new 17 million euro scheme for developing outdoor dining capacity nationwide has been unveiled. Local Authorities will also be given funding of up to 200 thousand euro to

The Garda Representative Association is seeking a meeting with the National Immunisation Advisory Committee to discuss the fallout of the change to the rollout of the vaccination programme. Gardai, teachers and family carers believe they should be vaccinated as a priority. Vice President of the GRA, Brendan O’Connor says Gardai on the ground feel they

The Justice Minister says the goal is to rollout the vaccine in the most efficient way to allow the further easing of restrictions. The Government, has been criticised for a change in the vaccination programme which will now see vaccines issued on the basis of age alone after the over-70s and those with underlying conditions

Letterkenny Institute of technology has been recognised for its work in advancing gender equality in highter education. LYIT has been awared the Athena SWAN Bronze Institutional Award which also recognises the promotion of diversity and inclusion of staff and students. The award required LYIT to demonstrate an assessment of gender equality and develop a four

Agriculture and Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue is being asked to meet with Donegal County Council to discuss proposals for the development of Killybegs Harbour. A far reaching feasibility study carried out on the harbour found there is significant potential for growth, but to realise it would involve substantial investment. The issue was raised this week

The Government will be urged to give family carers more support when a motion comes before the Dail this morning. The Sinn Fein motion calls for more financial support for family carers, additional respite and for a change in the vaccine roll out to allow them be vaccinated as a priority. Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn

Funding for a third Special Education Needs Classroom has been secured for Rosses Community School in Dungloe, it’s in addition to accomodation works approved for the school in 2019. Deputy Joe McHugh says if the planning and tendering process goes well, work could start on the project before the end of the year. He’s welcomed

The number of people in public hospitals with Covid-19 has dropped to its lowest level in three months. 290 people are receiving treatment – a drop of 20 in the past 24 hours. 65 people are in intensive care, the lowest number since early January. It comes as 368 new cases and 14 deaths were

House prices in Donegal continue to rise according to the latest daft.ie survey. In the first three months of this year prices were 4% higher than a year previously. The average price of a home in the county is now €156,000, 37% above the lowest point. Nationally, the average house price is €233,000, 63% above

The government has defended changes to the vaccine roll-out that have been strongly criticised by sectors which believe they should be given priority. The new model will see people vaccinated based on age after the over-70s, medically vulnerable and those with underlying conditions have been taken care of. It means groups like gardaí, teachers and

Taoiseach Michael Martin has confirmed a phased easing of restrictions will begin on 12th April with a full return to in-school teaching, two households meeting outdoors and travel restrictions relaxed to enable travel within your own county or within 20km of your residence if crossing county boundaries. All residential construction projects will also recommence. From

The Director of Public Health with HSE North West has warned there needs to be a change in people’s attitudes if the rate of Covid-19 in Donegal is going to decrease. The 14 day incidence rate of the virus in Donegal currently stands at 282 cases per 100,000 people which is substantially higher than the

Gardai have issued a direct appeal to young people in the Meenlaragh/ Magheroarty area to put an end to vandalism. It follows a string of criminal damage incidents over the past number of months. The windows of a number of unoccupied properties have been smashed while damage was also caused to the local telecommunications site

Donegal County Council is to write to the British and Irish Justice Ministers seeking full cooperation and transparency in the investigation into the death of Cllr Eddie Fullerton, who was shot dead by loyalists in his Buncrana home 30 years ago in May. The issue was raised this week by Cllr Jack Murray, who received

A Letterkenny gym owner is calling for a plan to be put in place to allow gyms reopen next month. It comes as Cabinet is set to meet this afternoon to discuss easing the 5km exercise limit, allowing some construction to return, some outdoor meet-ups and underage sport. NPHET however, has warned the government against

4,011 new cases of Covid-19 have been reported in the past seven days – a 5 per cent increase on the previous week. It’s after 539 new cases and one death were reported yesterday. 17 new cases were recorded in Donegal, which now has a 14 day incidence rate of 282 cases per 100,000 people,

NPHET has warned the government against any significant easing of Covid restrictions over the next few weeks. Public health officials gave a sobering presentation to a group of senior cabinet Ministers last night, warning of a fourth wave. The measures planned for easing in April are still on the table as the cabinet meets this

The North’s Infrastructure Minister Nicola Mallon is to be invited to attend a meeting of Donegal County Council to discuss the further delay to the expansion of the A5 between Derry and Aughnacloy. Cllr Gary Doherty moved an emergency motion at yesterday’s online council meeting, saying there are questions to be answered by her department