Author name: oisinkelly

The government’s new Employment Wage Subsidy scheme will cost the taxpayer at least 2.25 billion euro between now and the end of March next year. It took effect overnight, and replaces the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme set up in March to help struggling during Covid-19. Firms seeking to apply face stricter criteria than under the […]

Gardai in Falcarragh are investigating a road traffic collision at the weekend involving two quads, in which one of the drivers was injured. It happened outside the Lough Altan Hotel, Gortahork on Saturday evening. Sergeant Eunan Walsh says gardai are trying to piece together exactly what happened……….

The Health Minister now says he doesn’t want to fine people for throwing house parties with more than six guests. Stephen Donnelly says the threat of jail time or a 2,500 euro fine allowed for under the 1947 Health Act is “completely disproportionate”. He plans to amend the law to allow for fines of 20

The National Public Health Emergency Team is raising concerns over the number of people wearing face coverings incorrectly. The public health officials say they’re noticing too many people wearing masks under their chin, or not covering their noses. 53 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed last evening, with no further deaths. None of the new

Gaeltacht Minister Catherine Martin has confirmed that the Irish Language Plan for Letterkenny has been approved, which means that the town is now recognised as a Gaeltacht service town. Up to €80,000 per year will be allocated to implementation of the plan, which will be used to employ a Language Planning Officer. Minister Martin said

It’s emerged that Taoiseach Michael Martin signed a Statutory Instrument into law last week which, it’s claimed, will impose a totally unfair penalty points system on Ireland’s fishing community. The regime provided for in the package of measures included a penalty point provision which was deemed ‘unjust’ by the Supreme Court. Donegal TD Padraig MacLochlainn

It’s emerged that 12 of 35 Exceptional Review Applications submitted by Donegal schools for Special Needs Assistance for the upcoming school year have been unsuccessful. Figures supplied to Donegal TD Pearse Doherty also show a further seven applications require a school visit, which may not occur until later in September or October. Deputy Doherty says

  Residents in and around Brownknowe National School say their concerns over a proposed sewerage treatment plant are not being heard. Irish Water has lodged a planning application to Donegal County Council which would see construction begin on the Ramelton – Rathmullan Sewerage Scheme however the proposed treatment plant would be situated close to Brownknowe

  Donegal County Council and the Office of Public Works are progressing the design and development of the Ballybofey and Stranorlar Flood Relief Scheme. The scheme was announced by former Minister of State kevin boxer Moran in November last year. Murphy Surveys Ltd have been appointed to carry out survey works in the Twin Towns

  The GP and Clinical Lead of the Covid hub centre in Letterkenny has reiterated that the threat of Covid-19 is countywide and no area is more at risk than the other. There were no new cases reported in Donegal yesterday however the day before saw 14 confirmed cases. The latest data from Letterkenny University

  A local publican and Councillor says you can’t put a price on the current loss of pubs to rural parts of Donegal. With only premises that serve food currently operating, Cllr Martin Harley believes opening up the rest of the pubs would result in more people being kept apart. Cllr Harley says keeping just

  Irish Water has come in for criticism yet again after the utility has reportedly refused to meet with Councillors over plans for the water supply in Inishowen. The peninsula is notorious for frequent bursts and outages and local representatives are actively trying to ascertain the repair plans for the area. Cllr Martin McDermott says

  A new 15 million euro fund has been launched to help micro businesses impacted by Covid-19. It means companies with less then 10 employees access loans of between 5,000 and 25,000 euro. There’s be no repayments or interest over the first six months, while the following six months interest will be refunded by government.

  More than €3.3 million has been allocated to Donegal County Council for active travel and climate change adaptation measures. The grant allocations under the Government’s July Jobs Stimulus Plan will see just over €2.5 million awarded for 55 active travel projects across the county and around €780,000 for seven climate change adaptation measures. The

  Mid-ranking Gardaí says they’re concerned government will introduce unworkable new laws in its push to crack down on house parties. Last week Cabinet rowed back on proposals to make it a criminal offence for more than six people to gather in a home. Instead it’s to remain a “civil offence” – a concept the

  The Acting Chief Medical Officer has moved to reassure parents and teachers that the risk of Covid-19 spreading amongst children in schools is low. In an open letter, Dr Ronan Glynn, says while there is “no zero risk options”, now is the right time to reopen. He says there’s enough evidence the risk’s outweighed

A Donegal councillor is urging the public to avoid using a boardwalk at a popular Donegal beach. The boardwalk at Glassagh beach in Gweedore is currently damaged with some wooden planks broken along the walkway. A sign was placed on the beach walk to warn people of the dangers, but has been moved, with visitors

The Vintners Federation of Ireland expects about two thirds of pubs to close by Christmas. It’s describing as unacceptable, the Government’s funding package for the industry, amounting to 16 million euro. It says they should have been given the same money as the businesses in Kildare got. VFI Chief Executive Padraig Cribben says the support

A Kerry councillor has condemned scenes of a crowd of people singing on a street in Killarney. The footage has emerged on social media from Main Street in the town which includes a topless man dancing on a defibrillator. Councillor Niall Kelleher says throughout the summer the guidelines have been followed, and what happened in

Sinn Fein says the next Agriculture Minister should amend the Taoiseach’s move to sign off on plans to impose penalty points on the industry. Padraig Mac Lochlainn is calling on Micheál Martin to urgently consult with the fishing industry over this. He says the sector isn’t opposed to a penalty points system but believes it

An Inishowen Councillor has expressed his frustration following an act of vandalism in a local town. Destruction was caused in the Diamond area in Carndonagh this morning when town seating was wrenched from the ground and dragged around the Diamond area and left in front of a business premises, destroying the seating.   The vandalism,

A Derry based Senator says there is a very real risk that the cross border taxation anomalies which have cropped up in recent months could have an impact on attempts to promote the North West as a cross border economic region. Elisha McCallion has welcomed the formation of the Cross-Border Workers Coalition, which is calling