Author name: oisinkelly

SF call for tighter Covid travel regime

  Unmonitored self-isolation for people arriving into Ireland is undermining efforts of stopping the spread of Covid-19, according to Sinn Féin. The party is calling for a legally binding quarantine system, with Garda checks and fines. It’s Transport spokesperson Darren O’Rourke says Ireland could import an even more infectious strain over the next couple of […]

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Nursing home Covid outbreak could ‘tip hospital system over the edge’

  An infectious diseases specialist says a single bad outbreak of Covid-19 at a nursing home could put the hospital system over the edge. 2,944 more people have tested positive for the virus, and thirteen more patients have died 112 of the new cases were in Donegal. 1,928 people are now being treated in hospital

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Water repair works due to take place in Donegal this week

  Water repair works are due to take place this week, with Irish Water advising some customers in the county will experience disruptions to their water. As part of the National Leakage Reduction Programme, Irish Water say mains repair works may cause supply disruptions to Ballyeriston, Loughfad, Magheraroarty, Kilclooney Beg and surrounding areas in Donegal

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Volunteers acknowledged for Finn Valley care package initiative

  A local community health forum has issued a ‘thank you’ to it’s volunteers and local business that helped with their outreach project. Finn Valley Health Forum created and delivered over 100 care packages to various members of the elderly community. 50 packs were delivered in October to St.Joseph’s Hospital in Stranorlar and 35 to

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2,944 more people contract Covid-19, thirteen more patients have died

2,944 more people have contracted Covid-19, and thirteen more patients have died here. 112 of the new cases announced this evening are in Donegal while there are currently 101 covid patients at Letterkenny University Hospital, 3 in ICU. The Chief Medical Officer says the chance of catching the virus or passing it on is now

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Over 2,000 student nurses and midwives to have placements suspended

Over 2,000 student nurses and midwives are to have their clinical placements suspended for at least two weeks. It’s in order to free up qualified supervisory staff for frontline duties in hospitals. Final year students will continue to work over the coming fortnight but first to third years will stop all training tomorrow. The Irish

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Sinn Fein call on Education Minister to resolve issues with unions

Sinn Fein’s calling on the Education Minister to urgently engage with workers’ unions to ensure the reopening of special education. The party’s education spokesperson, Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, says press releases are getting in the way of discussion and agreement. The Department’s statement said special schools would reopen on Thursday, but the union, Forsa, says no

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49 Garda members self-isolating in Donegal due to Covid-19

At least 1,000 Gardaí are out of work because of exposure to Covid-19, according to a new survey. The Garda Representative Association poll, involving 20 of the 32 divisions, shows 870 are self-isolating and 245 have the disease. Details seen by the Sunday Independent show Tipperary as having a particularly high number of Covid-19 cases

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Government to confirm when special needs children can return to school

It will not be confirmed until Tuesday whether special needs children can return to school next week. The Department of Education wrote to principals last night to tell them to prepare for these schools to reopen on Thursday. It would allow 20,000 children in primary and special schools to go back to class ten days’

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Gardai investigate an Inishowen Hairdressers operating during Level 5

Gardaí in Inishowen say they are currently investigating an incident whereby a hairdressers was operating in Buncrana town during Level 5 Lockdown. Gardai are reminding businesses that they are to strictly comply with Level 5 Covid Guidelines at all times. They have also urged the public to play their part and stay at home unless

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Irish mortgage holders paying the highest interest rates in EU

It’s emerged Irish mortgage holders are paying the highest interest rates in the whole of the EU. Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty claims Irish people are paying €60,000 more in mortgage interest rates than any other European country. Figures from the Central Bank show the average mortgage interest rate for Irish borrowers in November was 2.79%,

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Small businesses in NI to be paid for loss of earnings during Covid

A West Tyrone MP has welcomed a Supreme Court ruling which will force insurance companies pay small businesses for loss of earnings as a result of Covid-19. The significant ruling could see over £1 billion being paid out to tens of thousands of small businesses across Northern Ireland and Britain. Órfhlaith Begley who has described

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Donegal bus escort raises safety issues over return to school

A Donegal bus escort says while they want to see children with special needs return to school, serious safety concerns remain. The number on the school bus, no ventilation and no PPE are all said to be major issues. Disability and carers organisations will meet Department of Education officials to discuss plans for classes to

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Pringle calls for extra supports for children with special needs

  There are calls for programmes to be put in place for children with additional needs following reports of major regression for some children while schools have been closed. The Education Minister announced yesterday that special needs students at primary level will be able to return to the classroom next Thursday. However, Donegal Deputy Thomas

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Reopening schools will depend on public’s behavior – Minister

  The Education Minister says the reopening of schools in February will depend on the general public’s behavior over the coming weeks. Norma Foley says considerable planning has gone into running this year’s Leaving Cert, with papers being adjusted to give students more choice. It comes as some students have expressed concern about how much

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Plans to be finalised for resumption of special needs education

  A meeting is taking place this morning to finalise plans for special needs education to resume next Thursday. Department of Education officials will update disability, autism and carers’ organisations after an agreement was reached yesterday. Special needs students at primary level will be able to return to the classroom in six days’ time. Minister

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Councillor opposes plans for Primary Care Centre in Dungloe

  A West Donegal Councillor is opposing plans for a Primary Care Centre in Dungloe. Plans have been lodged with Donegal County County Council for the development on Carnmore Road which would include GP services and a pharmacy. Councillor Michael Cholm MacGiolla Easbuig, fears Dungloe Community Hospital will eventually be downgraded as a result. While

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Rollout of Covid-19 vaccine continues in Donegal nursing homes

The roll out of the Covid-19 vaccine is continuing today in nursing homes across Donegal. Vaccination teams yesterday administered the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine to residents in Ramelton and Milford. 77 year old Elizabeth McLaughlin, a resident at Carndonagh Community Hospital became the first person in residential services for Older People in Inishowen to receive the

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Over 77,000 people vaccinated for Covid-19 so far, in Ireland

Over 77,000 people have been vaccinated for Covid-19 as of yesterday. 4,000 people have been trained to issue vaccines in anticipation of a further roll out of the vaccination programme. The Health Minister expects 700,000 people to be vaccinated between now and the end of March. HSE CEO Paul Reid outlines the breakdown of who

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Deputy Doherty’s Insurance Bill comes before Dail

Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty has brought legislation before the Dail, which if passed, would ban dual pricing within the Irish insurance industry. A recent Central Bank report revealed that the majority of insurance companies are using dual pricing, resulting in customers being charged 35% more with around 70% of customers renewing policies with the same

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Over €42m allocated for National Roads in Donegal

Over €42m has been allocated for National Roads in Donegal. The county has received one of the highest allocations in the country as part of Transport Infrastructure Ireland’s grant allocations for national roads for 2021. Just over €41m will go towards improvement works and €1m for maintenance works. Minister Charlie McConalogue in welcoming the funding

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Brexit fallout issue ‘serious & unacceptable’ for Donegal fishermen

  There are urgent calls for more designated Irish ports for Donegal fishermen affected by the Brexit fallout issue. New regulations has seen rural Irish Fishermen and fishing vessels from Northern Ireland being unable to land fish or obtain marine fuel in all but two ports – one in Killybegs the other in Cork. Even

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