Author name: oisinkelly

A Donegal County Councillor claims people in West Donegal continue to be ignored by Government. Its after Minister Joe McHugh announced earlier this week that a special flood fund was activated for properties damaged as a result of Storm Lorenzo in Donegal Town. Meanwhile to date, no relief has been sanctioned for the West of

There are calls for a change in legislation when it comes to erecting masts after one appeared without prior notice in the Glencar area. It’s understood that the mast went up overnight with residents said to be irate due to no consultation on the matter. But under current planning legislation, such a mast is allowed

The Rockhill Road from the Old Town Bridge to the Greyrock/ Nestles Road in Letterkenny is to close for a period of four months as of Novermber 12th. The temporary road closure will be in place until March 5th 2020 to facilitate the installation of a new sewer and associated works. The road closure will

    The Donegal GRA spokesperson says despite the fanfare surrounding an increase to the Garda budget for the year ahead, it won’t be enough to address major shortfalls within the force locally. The Finance Minister announced an €81 million increase in the budget for An Garda Siochana earlier this week but concerns remain as

  It’s been confirmed that there are no current plans to reinstate the antenatal clinic to Carndonagh hospital. Management at Letterkenny University Hospital have stated that low numbers attending the clinic in Carndonagh is the main reason why it’s on hold at present and that coming to Letterkenny optimises care. It is however envisaged that

  Serious questions are being asked over the A5 road upgrade and whether it will go ahead at all. It follows confirmation from the Department for Infrastructure that they will proceed with a new public enquiry, delaying the scheme until 2020. West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan says people across North West are quickly losing belief

  The Rural Development Minister has dismissed claims that the carbon tax is a surcharge on rural Ireland. It was increased by six euro a tonne in Tuesday’s budget, which resulted in petrol and diesel going up by two cent per litre. However, Michael Ring says everyone will be affected and not just people living

  The National Transport Authority has confirmed that a private operator has been selected to run the Carndonagh to Letterkenny bus route that was previously run by North West Busways. Last month, North West Busways announced that it was to cease operating its Inishowen to Letterkenny service as of October 14th. Local Link will now take

  There’s been a cautious welcome given to an €81 million increase in the budget for an Garda Siochana. As part of Budget 2020, Paschal Donohoe announced this week that there will be 700 new Garda recruits in the year ahead. Donegal Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher says it is imperative that Donegal benefits from

  Serious concern has been raised over some motorists speeding towards Kilmacrennan. Major road improvements have been undertaken on the stretch from Letterkenny towards Kilmacrennan however the speed limit drops suddenly from 100km to 50km on the approach road into the village. It’s thought that flashing 60kmph flashing signs further out from the village would

  It’s hoped that the next round of LIS funding will provide money to resurface the avenue at Gartan. The route is a popular walkway for both residents and tourists however it’s understood to be in a serious state of disrepair for some time. Donegal County Council has committed to prioritising upgraded works as part

Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle claims Brexit was used as an excuse not to invest in communities and services in Budget 2020. Instead the Deputy says, Brexit allowed the Government to implement a private-sector led Budget. He has not disagreed that Brexit will indeed present difficulties for Ireland and that preparations must be made. However, Deputy

    Minister Joe McHugh says that there is still no confirmed start time for the mica redress scheme to begin in Donegal. In yesterday’s Budget, the government confirmed that a total of 40 million euro would be set aside, but that some of these funds would also be dedicated to a pyrite redress scheme

  Hotels and guesthouses in Donegal have criticised the Government’s decision not to reverse the tourism VAT hike, which came into effect following last year’s budget. The increase in VAT from 9% to 13.5% is said to have seriously undermined Irish tourism’s international competitiveness and the ability for hotels to re-invest in their business and

  The Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation says the fisheries aid package announced yesterday as part of Budget 2020 is welcome but not what is wanted. The Government revealed that a €14 million aid package is to be distributed in the event of a no deal Brexit. KFO CEO Sean O’Donoghue says the fund would only be

  It’s emerged that almost one in four beds at Buncrana Community Hospital are currently closed due to staff shortages. The community nursing unit has been already been down five beds, going from 30 to 25 however its understood that there have been a further two bed closures in recent times. Approval has been given

  Serious concern has been raised over young children using the outdoor gymnasium at the Bernard McGlinchey Town Park in Letterkenny. It’s understood that there have been several instances of children using the equipment unsupervised with fears that the someone will be injured. Despite calls for signage which would advise that the gym is unsuitable

  The President of the European Parliament has warned that a no-deal Brexit could be a “catastrophe.” Downing Street has claimed the EU is making it “essentially impossible” for the UK to leave with an agreement. The Tanaiste meanwhile met with the EU’s Chief Brexit Negotiator Michel Barnier in Brussels yesterday evening. Simon Coveney says

Education Minister Joe McHugh says as much of the budget was focused on a no deal Brexit there was limited maneuver for an increase to the budget for education. He has however, announced that there will be an increase in positions for over 1000 SNAs and 600 extra teachers. A pilot book scheme is to

Funding for Mica affected homes in Donegal has been included in Budget 2020. The Government has announced €40 million in funding for the existing pyrite remediation scheme. Education Minister Joe McHugh says as the Pyrite scheme is nearing a close, much of that €40 million will be used to repair homes affected by the defective

Paschal Donohoe has announced a 1.2 billion euro budget package to prepare for a no-deal Brexit. It forms the major part of Budget 2020 along with carbon tax increases and a large jump in the health budget. There won’t be large tax cuts or welfare increases. The budget includes funding to protect businesses, agriculture and