Author name: oisinkelly

  The school bus debacle is raising its head once again however the current pandemic is said to be adding to the annual issue. Many parents in Donegal have been unable to ascertain if their child is eligible for a concessionary school bus ticket this year due to a system failure last week. Bus Eireann

  The Government is facing pressure to make changes to personal tax liability regulations for employees working in the north but who live in the Republic. A new campaign group in the North West has been set up to highlight the situation many workers face – largely prohibited from remote working and subject to ‘double

  A Donegal Senator says pubs in the county are looking for immediate Government support and all politicians need to rally behind them until it happens. Senator Eileen Flynn was at a recent meeting attended by local publicans and says there’s a profound concern that closed pubs have missed out on the peak season which

  The wage subsidy scheme will now be available until March 2021. The scheme is being revamped next week, making it easier for employers who have been impacted by the pandemic to access. Sixty-nine thousand employers have availed of the support to date. Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe says the scheme will also be open to

  Publicans want the Government to announce a financial package later today – which the Tanaiste pledged. The National Public Health Emergency Team is recommending pubs don’t reopen on Monday. Two weeks ago Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said he would bring forward additional supports at today’s Cabinet meeting if the closure orders continue. Paul Moynihan, from

A second national lockdown is not being considered “as things stand”. That’s according to the National Public Health Emergency Team, despite warnings from the Taoiseach and the Health Minister of the risk of further nationwide Covid-19 restrictions. A further 93 cases have been confirmed, with 34 in Dublin, 7 in Kildare, and the rest spread

  Coillte says the numbers of people visiting it’s forests this summer has risen significantly, with Ards Forest Park in Donegal seeing its figures double. Between June and August, 15,038 visitors were recorded at Ards Forest Park, which is between Creeslough and Dunfanaghy. Coillte’s Communications Manager is Pat Neville – He says getting back to

  A number of agencies have promised to work together to alleviate flooding problems in Strabane’s Ballycolman Estate. A meeting was held in the estate yesterday, with senior NI Water, Rivers Agency and Roads Service officials discussing the situation with local politicians and resident representatives. The meeting was arranged by West Tyrone MLA Maolíosa McHugh,

  A report into gynaecological services at Letterkenny University Hospital has found almost 40 cases of ‘concern’. The independent review carried out by Saolta began late last year and the outcomes are now being shared with affected families. In total, over 130 cases of women who were diagnosed with endometrial cancer at the hospital were

  There are confirmed cases of Covid-19 across Donegal in small numbers. That’s according to the GP and Clinical Lead of the Covid hub centre in Letterkenny, Paul Armstrong, who has been allaying fears over reports locally of clusters in certain areas. Doctor Armstrong has insisted that there is no cover up in terms of

  The man who died in an overnight fishing tragedy off the Donegal coast is believed to be from the locality. The coast guard was initially alerted at 8.30pm to a boat on the rocks in Donegal Bay, and it was believed a person was missing from the vessel. An operation was undertaken by Arranmore

  People are getting on board to save an iconic ship wreck in Gaoth Dobhair. A committee was established last night to decide what the future holds for ‘Bád Eddie’ while a GoFundMe page has also been set up to fundraise for the project. The ship washed up at Magheraclogher in the 1970s and has

The Donegal Road Safety Working Group is urging motorists, cyclists and children to take extra care on the county’s roads as schools reopen over the coming days. Donegal County Council’s Road Safety Officer Brian O’Donnell says it’s important to remember that while September always brings more traffic onto the roads, Covid-19 is likely to mean

  A major extension at the Raphoe Royal and Prior Comprehensive School in Raphoe has been given the green light to go to tender for the appointment of a design team. The extension will include new general classrooms, science and technical rooms and also a new gym and enhanced sports facilities. It’s one of around

  Seven out of ten principals in a trade union poll say they don’t think social distancing can work in their schools’ corridors. The ASTI says it’s one of the “serious infrastructural challenges” laid bare by a poll of 50 principals trying to implement the Department of Education’s pandemic guidelines. 84 per cent say their

  A wedding expert says couples are ‘devastated and deflated’ by new guidelines for weddings. Fáilte Ireland says guests will have to wear face coverings when arriving at and leaving their table. Only 50 people will be allowed in a function room or bar, and people will need to leave these areas by 11.30pm. Ciara

The International Fund for Ireland has developed a new programme to ensure that the progress made in border areas over the past 30 years is not compromised because of Brexit. IFI Chair Paddy Harte Junior says relations between Ireland and the UK have backtracked to an extent, and that’s presenting new challenges on the ground

Principals across Donegal have been working around the clock since July to ensure schools are a safe environment for everyone. However, the INTO says that they are acutely aware that some teachers and pupils will still be anxious over returning to the classroom in the coming days. Aine McGinley, who is the Donegal representative on

A private school bus operator in Donegal says they have received absolutely no guidance from the Government or elsewhere as to how they will get back on the road in the coming days. Private buses companies have had their vehicles parked up since mid-march. While efforts have been made to upgrade buses with various health

  The HSE has confirmed that there have been 25 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Donegal over the last fortnight. Of these, 20 were found to be in the 25-54 year age group. The HSE has also stated that they have seen an increase in the number of positive cases in the past number

  The country’s largest teachers union’s calling on the government to act swiftly to ensure its health advice for schools is fit for purpose. The INTO says it sought clarity on face coverings for young kids and protocols for covid positive cases three weeks ago. But General Secretary, John Boyle, says the situation remains unclear:

  The European Affairs Minister isn’t confident we have the full story of Phil Hogan’s movements within Ireland. The future of the embattled EU Commissioner hangs in the balance following the golf gate controversy. The Taoiseach, Tanaiste and Green Party leader say it’s clear he breached public health guidelines while he was here. Junior Minister