Author name: oisinkelly

Housing proving stumbling block in Government formation talks

Housing is proving to be a stumbling block in government formation talks. The Green Party’s looking for more social housing, while Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael want more accommodation for first-time buyers. The parties will discuss the issue again today during the ninth day of talks, along with local government and climate change. Negotiators were […]

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Cross border workers ‘left blow in the wind’ – Mac Lochlainn

Cross border workers have been ‘left blow in the wind’ by the Government during the pandemic. That’s according to Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn who claims a clause in the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment, meaning those working in the Republic of Ireland but living in the North are not eligible, is a defiance of EU regulation.

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Leaving Cert predictive marking guidelines to be issued today

Schools are due to be issued with detailed guidance on the Leaving Cert’s predictive marking system today. It will set out how teachers will be expected to grade students and the criteria they should use. The Education Minister Joe McHugh says a students’ results won’t be based on any single exam including the mocks. Minister

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UK Government says new checks needed on some goods entering NI

New checks will be needed on some goods entering Northern Ireland from Britain, as part of the Irish protocol of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement. The British Government’s unveiled how it will implement the measure, which takes effect on January 1st, regardless of whether a trade deal is struck with the EU. The North will still

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Petition launched opposing plans for asphalt plant at Burnfoot

  A petition, opposing plans for an asphalt plant in Burnfoot has been launched. Plans have been submitted to Donegal County Council in February for the plant to be developed behind a large quarry at the foot of Scalp Mountain. Some residents in the area have serious health and safety concern regarding the proposals and

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Government needs to consider slowly reopening schools – WHO

  The government needs to consider slowly reopening schools, according to a member of the World Health Organisation. There are now over 24,200 confirmed cases of coronavirus here and 1,561 people have died. There are currently 477 confirmed cases in Donegal. Children aren’t expected back at school until September because of the pandemic. But Dr

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Littering of disposable gloves & wipes on the increase in Donegal

  There’s been an increase in the littering of disposable gloves and wipes across the county. Donegal County Council says people are discarding their rubbish on the likes of footpaths, in car-parks, at bring banks and along hedges in rural areas. With phase one of easing restrictions now well underway, local Cllr Paul Canning says

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Employers won’t be told their workers Covid-19 test results

  The Data Protection Commissioner’s in discussions with the HSE over its release of workers Covid-19 test results to employers. Yesterday it confirmed the practice had been taking place in ‘exceptional’ circumstances for public health reasons. However, it now says it’s reconsidering the move following criticism – the Chief Medical Officer described it as a

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Government formation talks to focus on Irish language today

  Government formation talks will focus on the Irish language, arts and heritage this morning. And Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party’s negotiators will discuss foreign affairs this afternoon. It’s the eighth day of formal talks between the three parties. They hope to produce a draft programme for government in ten days’ time.

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‘It’s Good to Talk GAA’ initiative launched in Donegal

The Donegal Age Friendly programme in partnership with Donegal GAA, Public Participation Network and the YOURS (Youth, Old, Understanding, Remembering and Sharing) project is today launching the ‘It’s Good to Talk GAA’ initiative. This initiative is inspired by former Mayo GAA county star David Brady and Donegal Age Friendly, Donegal GAA and YOURS are delighted

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Tusla continuing to provide essential services in Donegal

  Tusla staff around Donegal are continuing to provide essential frontline services that cannot be delivered remotely. The Child and Family agency has been working with local partners including to ensure that they are supporting some of the most vulnerable in society at a time when they need it most. Tusla’s local Prevention partnership and

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Inishowen – Derry greenway ‘has potential to be real game changer’

The Communications Officer for the North West Greenway project says cycling directly from Inishowen into Derry City Centre would be unheard of – until now. Yesterday it was announced that a planning application has been lodged which would see the construction of a new shared 62-metre long cycle and footbridge between Donegal and Derry. It’s

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Calls for creative way forward to tackle driving test backlog

  A Donegal County Councillor is calling for the powers that be to come up with a creative way in tackling the backlog in driving tests. Tests have been suspended indefinitely since April with over 27,500 learner drivers nationwide now left in limbo. The Transport Minister may further extend the validity period for expired learner

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Calls for resolution to Wage Subsidy maternity debacle

  There are calls for a cross-party agreement to end the exclusion of women returning from maternity leave from the Wage Subsidy Scheme. Currently, women returning from maternity leave are excluded on the grounds that, despite being employees, they were not on their employer’s payroll on February 29th. Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn says the Finance

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Local restaurant owner warns over ‘unsustainable’ reopening guidelines

A Donegal restaurant owner says the measures in which they will be allowed to reopen later in the summer will not be unsustainable financially. There are major fears locally that when restaurants are permitted to open their doors again; the majority will be working at a loss. Paddy Mac, proprietor of Mad Hatters Tea Room

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