Author name: oisinkelly

The Mica Redress Scheme will open for applications on next Monday, June 29. Donegal County Council’s Redress Committee met this afternoon to discuss the scheme, with officials saying they are ready to accept applications from Monday. A special portal is being launched on the Donegal County Council website, and applications can be made online. Committee

  The Bluestack Special Needs Foundation says the children who use their service have been heavily impacted by the crisis and they need urgent guidance from Government as to how they can get back up and running. The voluntary organisation based in Donegal Town is run predominantly by parents of children with special needs and

  A private bus operator in Donegal is hoping for more clarity from Government later today over when they can get back on the road. It’s presumed only at this stage that face coverings will also compulsory on this mode of transport. Private bus companies are said to be one of the hardest hit by

  Universities have no plans to reduce fees for courses beginning later this year, even though some may be fully or partially moved online. The Irish Universities Association says they’d like to have all students on campus but that it may not be possible due to social distancing guidelines. Director General Jim Miley says the

  A Donegal Deputy has described a proposal to kick start the tourism and hospitality sectors as a crucial piece of the jigsaw in getting the Donegal economy back on its feet. Under this scheme, every adult would receive a voucher worth €200, while every child would be entitled to a voucher worth €100, to

    The newly elected Cathaoirleach of the Lifford Stranorlar Municipal District says there will undoubtedly be significant challenges to overcome in the year ahead. Castlefinn Councillor Gary Doherty takes over from Independent Cllr Frank McBrearty in the role while Cllr Gerry Crawford has been elected Leas Cathaoirleach. Cllr Doherty was elected at their AGM

  The new Cathaoirleach of the Inishowen Municipal District says he wants to see the North West City Region made a central part of policy in both Dublin and Stormont. Speaking after his election last evening, Cllr Albert Doherty said many pressing issues await the community as the Covid 19 lockdown eases. He says it’s

The Taoiseach is urging the EU Commission to change its guidelines for the distribution of Coronavirus support funds. Under current plans Ireland will get just 3 billion of the 750 billion euro COVID recovery fund announced last week. This calculation is largely based on the fact that Ireland is one of the wealthier member states.

  Gardai are investigating a report of criminal damage which happened overnight in Letterkenny. The door of a business premises on Lower Main Street was reported damaged at around midnight last night. Gardai say no arrests have yet been made with enquiries on-going. Anyone with information is being asked to contact Letterkenny Garda Station.

  The Licensed Vintners Association is urging pubs to make sure they re-open responsibly. Pubs that serve food can open their doors again on Monday as coronavirus restrictions are eased. But there are reports some owners are planning to break the 105-minute time limit for customers to stay. Donall O’Keeffe, CEO of the LVA, says

  The Donegal Rape Crisis centre is reporting a surge in calls over the last few weeks and has stated that a funding injection from Government is needed to cope with the demand. Yesterday alone saw four crisis referrals by the local centre. The Covid-19 lockdown has been cited as a catalyst for the spike

A leading chain of hair salons is going to charge customers more to undo the damage caused during lockdown. Peter Mark’s salons are due to re-open on Monday along with hairdressers and barbers across the country. It says customers may be charged an extra 60 euro for a “colour detox” if they dyed their hair

  The head of the HSE says nearly 1 in 10 people in the Republic have now been tested for Covid 19. Almost 405 thousand tests have been carried out so far – more than 28 thousand of them have been positive. Meanwhile, the HSE is finalising plans to release a new app aimed at

  It’s emerged public health patients are receiving treatment at private hospitals while 40 beds lie empty at Letterkenny University Hospital due to a lack of funding to staff them. The latest sitting of the Regional Health Forum West heard that funding to reopen these beds will be sought under the HSE’s Winter Plan. It

  Recruitment for the Acute Stroke Unit at Letterkenny University Hospital is underway with a view towards opening the facility in September. It was initially set to open early this summer, however the process was delayed due to Covid-19. The lack of a unit at the hospital was brought back into the spotlight in January

  A Donegal Deputy has met with Housing Minister Damien English and told him that when it comes to rolling out the Mica Redress Scheme, no family can be left behind. Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn has received assurances from Minister English that the 90% Government contribution under the scheme will be paid swiftly and in stage

Irish Water say they are continuing to monitor a number of water supplies in Donegal as despite heavy rainfall, water supply schemes still face demand issues. Water supplies in Lettermacward and Rathmullen are currently in drought with three other schemes in potential drought status including Letterkenny, Lough Mourne and Rosses Regional – Crolly. Since the

Councillor Donal Coyle has been announced as the new Cathaoirleach of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District. The Fianna Fail Councillor takes over from Independent Councillor John O’Donnell. Meanwhile, Councillor Liam Blaney has been elected Leas Cathaoirleach. Looking to the year ahead, Councillor Coyle is urging people to support local businesses following a challenging year:

Serious concern has been raised over a lack of a turning point for larger vehicles at Fanad Lighthouse. Both cars and buses are said to be finding it difficult to access the popular attraction. The lighthouse is featuring in a number of tourism initiatives and while this is welcomed locally, it’s thought now more so

  A senior consultant has called for money from the National Treatment Purchase Fund to be diverted to Letterkenny University Hospital to allow the restart of elective surgery. Mr Michael Sugrue, a Breast Surgeon at the hospital, says he and his colleagues are willing to work extra hours in order to tackle the backlog, but

  Donegal Hoteliers are reporting an increase in extended bookings for the months ahead. Hotels and guesthouses are due to reopen next Monday with all the HSE and Government guidelines being adhered to. It’s understood that many people are opting to stay for longer periods in hotels in the county to maximise the ‘staycation’ experience.

  Thousands of homes and businesses are said to be without water in south Inishowen following a major pipe burst to the main supply which serves the area. The burst happened on the line near the fire station in Buncrana however it’s affecting Burnfoot, Bridgend, Burt and Newtowncunningham areas. Irish Water crews are to carry