Author name: oisinkelly

The head of the HSE says he’s confident next week’s Covid-19 vaccine target of 84,000 doses will be met. Last week’s aim of 100-thousand was missed due to ongoing supply issues involving AstraZeneca. Paul Reid says two deliveries totaling just over 70,000 doses have been impacted in recent weeks. But he says next week’s numbers […]

A Fianna Fáil MEP is backing the European Union’s decision to take legal action against the UK. The EU is set to lodge the proceedings shortly, over Britain’s decision to delay implementation of part of the Brexit deal. It relates to border checks in the North, which are required under the Northern Ireland protocol. Barry

A Letterkenny Councillor is to ask for a safety audit on the town’s footpaths. Cllr Gerry McMonagle says with the amount of people out walking on a regular basis, there’s been an increase in the number of reports of trips and falls. At next week’s meeting of the Letterkenny and Milford Municipal District, he’ll be

Over €1.8 million in grants have been awarded to 28 aquaculture companies across the country. Almost €500,000 has been sanctioned for Donegal to support 9 companies under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Programme. The funding will go towards further growth of the businesses and the aquaculture sector as a whole. Minister for Agriculture, Food

A retired consultant has labelled anti-Covid restriction protests as superspreader events. Peter O’Rourke, retired consultant orthopaedic surgeon says the violent scenes witnessed in Dublin last weekend are unacceptable. With a number of further protests planned this month, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties has called for guidelines to be put in place to allow peaceful

Obstetricians have been told to monitor pregnant women who have had Covid-19. It’s emerged that four women may have had stillbirths as a result of a condition linked to the virus. Two of the women are based in the east of the country and two are based in the south. Health officials are advising that

A South Donegal TD says the government should establish a community bank to offer an alternative to the profit driven model offered by the main financial institutions. Suggesting that either An Post or the Credit Unions could provide the structure for such a move, Deputy Marc McSharry told the Dail that some form of government

The number of Covid-19 patients in public hospitals has fallen to its lowest level since December 29th. It dropped to 427 last night – compared to 1,239 on the same day last month. There are 105 patients in intensive care with the virus, continuing a fall from the peak of 221 in January. Another 462

It emerged today that around 200 GP surgeries still haven’t received any jabs to vaccine the over 85s by the end of the week. Donegal GP Dr Denis McCauley believes the target will be met, but says some issues are starting to surface…………

The Health Minister says he will ask the HSE to review the decision to locate one vaccination centre in Donegal, while Kerry has two and Cork five. The issue was raised in the Dail this afternoon by Deputy Padraig MacLochlinn, who also asked MInister Stephen Donnelly to address delays in getting vaccines to certain areas,

  Over 100,000 euro has been secured for minor flood relief works in Ballybofey. Donegal County Council has approved the money to install manhole sumps as an interim measure to prevent flooding in the Twin Towns. An application has been submitted to An Bord Pleanala for the works to be carried out. Local Cllr Patrick

Northern Ireland’s first minister says she’s not concerned about potential violence, after loyalist groups withdrew their support for the Good Friday Agreement. Paramilitary organisations have written to the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson about concerns over Brexit arrangements – with checks on goods going across the Irish Sea. DUP leader and First Minister Arlene Foster

  The Tánaiste has accused a Donegal TD of being ‘shallow and playing politics’ with family carers. It’s after the issue of where family carers feature on the list for the vaccination programme was raised in the Dail by Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty. Deputy Doherty says this cohort currently fall into the general population for

  While the Covid vaccination programme is set to get underway at Millbrae surgery in Carndonagh tomorrow, concern remains over consistency in supply. The HSE says that nationally a ‘relatively small number’ of GP practices are experiencing issues with their vaccine supplies. The HSE also maintains it’s is on target to administer the first dose

  A Donegal Deputy is calling on the Government to put extensions in place with county council incremental purchase offers. It’s thought that the impact of Covid on employment may cause house sales to fall through. Deputy Thomas Pringle was addressing the Dáil today on the Land Development Agency Bill 2021. He says there’s a

‘Drive through vaccines’ have begun in Letterkenny with over 100 people over the age of 80 getting the jab in the comfort of their car yesterday. The operation got underway yesterday morning at the facility set up in McGinleys multi-storey car park on Pearse Road and included three doctors and five vaccinators. The innovative facility

  A Donegal councillor has hit out at the government over its commitment to the ongoing retrofitting programme for social housing. Speaking after a meeting of the Housing Strategic Policy Committee, Cllr Gerry Mc Monagle says he’s very disappointed with the latest grant received from Department of Housing. He says in recent years, the council

  The country’s 14-day incidence rate of Covid-19 has gone below 200 for the first time since Christmas, while the number of people with the disease in hospital continues to fall. Donegal’s incidence rate is just slightly below the national average at 199.1. Latest figures show that there are 14 confirmed cases at Letterkenny University

  The Health Minister will be asked in the Dail today to fast track the vaccination of pharmacy staff before pharmacies become vaccination centres. The Irish Pharmacy Union says its members are ready to play their part in the programme, but can only do so when their staff are vaccinated themselves. Donegal Pharmacist Tom Murray

  Finance Minister Pascal Donohoe has pledged to examine a number of issues which have arisen in respect of the Mica Redress Scheme, but did not comment on a call for banks to make a contribution to the costs being incurred by householders. During last night’s banking debate in the Dail, Deputy Padraig Mac Lochlainn