Author name: oisinkelly

  It was also confirmed by Government officials that Donegal County Council will take full responsibility for the Mica Redress Scheme. The strategy for the implementation of the scheme has not yet been finalised but the local authority hopes applications will open early Autumn. Speaking at last nights meeting, Cathaoirleach of the Inishowen Municipal District

  Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy was in Donegal yesterday where he held long awaited discussions with members of the Mica Action Group and a number of public representatives. While a Mica Redress Scheme was announced ahead of the Budget in October last and formally approved in May there has been a severe lack of information

  Donegal County Council is to hold a special workshop to discuss 5G and mining, two of the most controversial issues that may face members in the months and years ahead. In terms of mining, a recent application for an exploration licence in the Glenfinn area was withdrawn, but communities say it could become an

  It’s been claimed that two thirds of social housing rent collected by Donegal County Council is being directed towards funding road projects. The local authority collects between €11 million and €12 million in rents per annum. Lifford/ Stranorlar Municipal District Councillor Patrick McGowan is calling on the Council to end this practice and take

  A South Donegal Deputy believes returning emigrants are being unfairly penalised under the current driving licence arrangements. Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Transport, Tourism, and Sport Deputy Marc Mac Sharry says the current system is discriminatory and makes no sense. Irish people returning from the US cannot exchange their valid American driving licence for the

The Psychiatric Nurses Association has suspended this evening’s planned industrial action by 6,000 of its members. Nurses were due to begin an overtime ban from 7pm as part of their row with the HSE over the recruitment and retention of mental health staff. This evening, the PNA says discussions with the Workplace Relations Commission has

The Save Our St Joseph’s Hospital Action Group has hit out at the short period of notice given ahead of a proposed meeting with Junior Minister Jim Daly. The meeting never happened. The Minister with responsibility for Mental Health and Older People was reportedly in Donegal yesterday and had offered to meet with the Action

There are six permanent Consultant Psychiatry Posts in the Donegal Mental Health service which are either unfilled or temporarily filled. Two of the posts are in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, two in General Adult Psychiatry, one in Liaison Psychiatry, and one in Old Age Psychiatry. The Irish Hospital Consultant’s Association four of the posts in

Small businesses crossing the border with the North could be exempted from customs checks after Britain leaves the EU. Conservative MP Nicky Morgan has suggested allowing small firms in Ireland go forward and back without being inspected could be part of a new deal with the EU. Morgan is a prominent supporter of Brexit, and

A Donegal councillor says Irish Water should allow the local authority carry out some connections, claiming that people are being quoted exorbitant amounts of money for what should be reasonably straightforward jobs. Cllr Michael Naughton says a workshop is needed to discuss issues with Irish Water right across the county. According to Cllr Naughton, rules

  The Housing Minister is in Donegal today for a number of key engagements. It’s widely expected that Eoghan Murphy will be in a position to give further details on the long awaited Mica Redress Scheme which was announced in May. The Mica Action Group is also holding its first public meeting tonight at An

  Boris Johnson is putting together his UK cabinet after a landslide victory in the Tory leadership contest. Mr Johnson secured more than two thirds of the votes, comfortably defeating foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt. The incoming prime minister used his victory speech to promise he’ll “energise the country” and meet the Brexit deadline at the

  6,000 psychiatric nurses will begin industrial action this evening. The Psychiatric Nurses’ Association says its member will work only their contracted hours because of health management’s failure to address a recruitment and retention crisis. The PNA says the overtime ban will continue until the issue is resolved. The HSE says it’s putting measures in

  Serious disappointment over a lack of progress on flood mitigation works in the Finn Valley area has been conveyed at the latest sitting of the Lifford/ Stranorlar Municipal District. Funding for work to be carried out in the area was allocated by the OPW last April while a team has also been appointed to

  Donegal County Council has given the final go ahead for a number of initiatives in Letterkenny, including the construction of a Social Enterprise Centre adjacent to the Public Services Centre in the town. Works on Lower Main Street and Church Lane have also received the go ahead. Cllr Ciaran Brogan says the enterprise centre

  The Cathaoirleach of the Lifford/ Stranorlar Municipal District says he will not be accepting any plans for a 5G mast to be constructed in Raphoe. There’s speculation that a planning application is to be submitted to An Board Pleanala for a communication mast to be erected in the town. Councillor Frank McBrearty says given

Its emerged that older persons and persons with a disability applying for Housing Adaptation Grants in Donegal are waiting up to 8 months for an assessment by an occupational therapist. However, Donegal County Council says progress is being made to improve waiting times. Councillor Patrick McGowan says in some instances an occupational therapist is not

Cllr Ian Mc Garvey didn’t get to meet with Minister Daly today after travelling to Lifford in the hope of a discussion about the fate of community hospital facilities in Stranorlar, Lifford, and Ramelton. However, despite the fact that a meeting room had been booked for the minister, Cllr Mc Garvey says he never showed

A house in the Gleneely area has been completely ransacked during a break in which occurred at some stage between 11am on Thursday morning last and Saturday midday. The rear PVC door to the house was forced open and entry was gained. While nothing was taken, Garda Grainne Doherty says the way in which access

Junior Health Minister Jim Daly has confirmed that upgrade works at Carndonagh Community Hospital will begin in October, with works at the Community Nursing Unit in Buncrana to follow in 2020. The initial phase will involve the provision of temporary ward facilities at Buncrana to enable the transfer of beds from Carndonagh in order to

  Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to a suspected arson attack at a derelict building in Newtowncunningham. The incident happened on Saturday evening at around 8pm. Emergency services attended the scene with the local fire service quickly bringing the fire under control. Garda Grainne Doherty is urging anyone with information to come forward: