Author name: oisinkelly

INTO calls for review into fees for online Gaeltacht courses

  The Irish National Teachers Organisation is calling for a review into fees currently being charged for online Gaeltacht courses. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, traditional courses cannot take place in the Gaeltacht. Concern has been expressed among some student teachers that the online versions are effectively costing the same as attending the traditional courses. Initially,

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Communities urged to rally behind survival of post offices

  Communities in Donegal are being urged to contact local TDs in a bid to rally behind the survival of their local post office. It comes as postmasters want the Government to pay them for providing ‘offline’ services to customers. The Irish Postmasters’ Union says this would keep hundreds of struggling post offices across the

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Constructive meeting held between Minister and local Chambers

  The Foreign Affairs Minister has agreed to a further meeting with both the Letterkenny and Londonderry Chambers over various concerns relating to both Covid and Brexit. It follows a recent meeting between both Chambers and the Minister over the challenges facing the North West business community with a particular emphasis on the Governments commitment

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Government urged to strengthen Post Office Network

  Postmasters wants the Government to strengthen the Post Office Network by delivering services ‘offline’. The Irish Postmasters’ Union says this will help secure the future of post offices across the country, It says providing offline services like motor tax, licences, and renewals to communities will keep struggling post offices open. IPU General Secretary, Ned

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Proposals wanted for Food Waste Reduction Initiatives

  The Agriculture Minister has issued a call for proposals for Food Waste Reduction Initiatives under the 2021 Rural Innovation and Development Fund. Minister Charlie McConalogue said the funding will enhance the work previously funded to identify, target and address the issue, while Ireland generates over 1 million tonnes of food waste each year. The

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North’s First Minister threatening legal action over Northern Ireland Protocol

The North’s First Minister Arlene Foster and other unionists are threatening legal action over the Northern Ireland Protocol. They argue the Brexit settlement agreed for Northern Ireland is not compatible with the Act of Union of 1801, which set up a customs union between Britain and Ireland. Tomorrow the House of Commons will debate a

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New licencing reforms to boost hospitality to be announced tomorrow

New licensing reforms aimed at boosting the hospitality sector are expected to be announced by government tomorrow. The measures, which will come in post-lockdown, will include extended opening hours for pubs and nightclubs and the creation of a nightclub permit which would cut down on expensive legal costs. Justice Minister Helen McEntee says the reforms

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Those with underlying illnesses expected to be moved up vaccine priority list

Thousands of people between 18 and 64 with an underlying illness are expected to be moved up the country’s vaccine priority list. The final details are being worked on, with the Health Minister set to bring a memo to Cabinet on Tuesday, following updated advice from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee. Meanwhile, latest figures as

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DMRT receive overwhelming response to recruitment drive

Due to the overwhelming number of responses to their recruitment drive, Donegal Mountain Rescue have closed their expression in interest link. The Donegal Mountain Rescue Team provides an emergency response, remote environment and extreme terrain, search and rescue service for Donegal. The team is comprised completely of volunteers who are on 24 hour call. The

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Seamus Coleman delighted with Everton’s win over Liverpool

Everton earned their first win over Liverpool at Anfield since 1999 on Saturday evening. Carlo Ancelotti’s side were 2-nil winners thanks to goals from Richarlison and a Gylfi Sigurdsson penalty. It is the fourth successive Premier League defeat for Liverpool. Donegal’s Seamus Coleman says he’s delighted to finally deliver for the supporters…

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Mark English sets new National record as Sommer Lecky claims victory at Micro Meet

Mark English has set a new National record at the Irish Life Health Elite Micro Meet at the National Indoor Arena after he finished the 800 metre race in one minute 46.10 seconds. English finished just .03 of a second ahead of Cian McPhillips who finished in second James Kelly set a personal best in

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NPHET member says people shouldn’t be overly concerned about new Brazilian variant here

The Chair of NPHET’s Expert Advisory Group says people shouldn’t be overly concerned about the detection of the new Brazilian variant of Covid-19 here. Three cases – all in a single cluster – have been linked to the strain and are associated with recent travel from the country. The new variant may be more transmissible

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Catholic church leaders request public worship be allowed through Lent

Catholic church leaders have requested that public worship be allowed to take place through Lent. At a meeting with the Taoiseach yesterday, Archbishops Eamon Martin, Dermot Farrell, Kieran O’Reilly and Michael Neary emphasised its spiritual importance, particularly through Holy Week and Easter. They also requested the number of people allowed to attend funerals be increased.

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Over 270,000 patients on waiting lists for over 12 months – IMO

The Irish Medical Organisation says over 270 thousand patients have been on a waiting list to see a consultant for over 12 months. It says the difficulty in keeping consultants has led directly to long waiting lists for both in-patient and outpatient care. Its members have voted overwhelmingly to reject the Public Service Pay Agreement

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Deputy Doherty says Ulster Bank pull out reducing competition isn’t good

Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty says Ulster Bank’s decision to pull out of Ireland is a hammer blow to workers and consumers. It will shut down its Irish operations over the next few years, but says no extra jobs will be lost this year. Ulster Bank employs 2,800 staff across 88 branches in the Republic.

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North West left out of outdoor dining development fund – Harkin

A South Donegal Deputy has hit out at what she says is the Government’s cynical disregard of its ‘commitment’ to a policy of Balanced Regional Development. It’s after a fund to support the development of outdoor dining infrastructure was announced for eight cities and towns across the country. Deputy Marian Harkin however, has described the

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Environmental project encouraging people to grow their own produce

Over 250 families in Derry and Strabane are rolling up their sleeves and getting ready to embark on the journey towards self-sustainability. The ‘I Can Grow’ Project is a new environmental project encouraging more people to grow their own produce. The initiative, led by the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland supported by the National Lottery

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286 fines handed out in Donegal for breach of Covid regulations

286 fines have been handed out by Gardai in Donegal to people in breach of Covid regulations, that’s up 65 on last week’s figure. A total of 6,297 fines have been handed out nationwide for non-essential travel. Gardai have issued 638 fines for non-essential journeys to the airport, which is in breach of Covid regulations.

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Government has ‘let public down over lack of communication’

  A Donegal County Councillor believes the Government has let the public down over what’s been described as a lack of clear communication and information regarding decisions made surrounding the pandemic. It’s thought there could be one weekly broadcast detailing the science and reasons behind why we’re in Level 5 and clear concise information regarding

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Donegal civil servants hope to benefit from a new working hubs

  Donegal civil servants are hoping to benefit from a new planned working hub for northern civil servants in Derry. Yesterday, the North’s Finance Minister announced plans for a number of new civil service regional hubs. The first Connect2 hubs are expected to open in Ballykelly and Downpatrick in the spring while projects in Derry

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Derry City look set to strengthen their squad – but friendly is in doubt

Derry City look set to strengthen their squad with the arrival of attacking midfielder Will Patching on loan from Dundalk, the Derry Journal reports. The 22-year-old, who signed a two-year deal with the Lilywhites last season, is believed to be close to completing a loan switch and will be a welcome addition to Declan Devine’s

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Ulster Bank announce phased withdrawal from Irish market

  Ulster Bank has announced a phased withdrawal from the Irish market. It will take place over a number of years, with no immediate change for customers. Staff have been told there will be no additional compulsory redundancies this year. There are six Ulster Bank branches across the North West – Letterkenny, Buncrana, Ballybofey, Donegal

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Donegal athletes prepare for national senior Indoor Micro Meet this weekend

Athletics Ireland have announced that and national senior Indoor Micro Meet will take place in Abbotstown this weekend. This will be exclusively for carded athletes who have realistic hopes of qualifying for The European Indoor Championships or Olympic Games the Europeans are due take placed in Torun Poland from March 5th to the 7th. A

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Football All-Stars for 2020 are announced – with nine Dublin players

All-Ireland senior football champions Dublin have collected nine of the PWC All-Stars on offer for the 2020 season. Midfielder Brian Fenton, who has never lost a Championship game – wins his fifth All-Star, with James McCarthy, Ciaran Kilkenny, Con O’Callaghan, Niall Scully, Dean Rock, John Small, Eoin Murchan and Michael Fitzsimons the other Dublin players

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