Author name: oisinkelly

  Donegal County Council is writing to the HSE and Department of Health seeking a meeting to discuss the need for more investment in home help services in Donegal. The issue was raised in Lifford this week by Cllr Adrian Glackin, who had previously passed a similar motion at the Letterkenny Municipal District. He’s hopeful

  A Donegal Councillor says the earning thresholds for social housing in Donegal need to be reviewed, with the council now writing to Housing MInister Eoghan Murphy seeking a review. Cllr Gerry Mc Monagle told a meeting in Lifford this week that many people in Donegal are falling between two stools because they earn too

  The Western Development Commission has published a draft five year strategy, and is now seeking comments and submissions from groups and individuals from Donegal to Clare. The commission manages the Western Investment Fund, which has invested €51m in 155 projects, supporting 5,000 jobs. CEO Tomás Ó Síocháin says the new strategy is an important

There will be no upside for agri-food businesses from Brexit, according to the Agriculture Minister. Michael Creed has said some supports will be there if the UK crashes out of the EU but said the beef sector in-particular was very open to shocks. Minister Creed says there will be a huge risk to farmers and

Main Evening News, Sport and Obituaries Thursday January 31st:

The funeral is taking place of Daniel Scott, the last of four friends killed in a collision near Gortahork on Sunday night to be laid to rest. Earlier this afternoon, the funeral took place of John Harley, whi;e this morning, Micheál Roarty and Shaun Harkin were buried. At John Harkin’s funeral Father James Gillespie spoke

The Seanad has heard that the two organisations in Donegal which provide vital services for children with intellectual disabilities are being taken for granted by the HSE and the Government. Neither iCare nor the Bluestack Special Needs Foundation received any funding under the €16 million Ability Programme last year and it had been hoped that

Gardai have issued a warning over a rise in cold callers. It’s reported that the criminals are targeting people living in rural areas, pressurising them into buying goods. Donegal Crime Prevention Officer Sgt Paul Wallace says while Gardai are monitoring the issue across the county he’s urging people to be on high alert:

The second of four funerals following Sunday’s crash in Donegal has heard how Micheál Roarty was a giant of a man – loved by many because he loved many. The 24 year old was described as a good soul who would help anyone in any way he could, and there was laughter wherever he went.

  Donegal County Council is calling on Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone to recognise the right of adopted people to information about their health, history and heritage. The letter to the minister is on foot of a motion from Cllr Niamh Kennedy, who says over two referenda, it is clear that the electorate favour such rights being

A Donegal GP says he can see waiting lists becoming an issue in GP surgeries in the near future. Dr James Mc Daid, a former TD and government minister says government policy is putting further pressure on GPs, and while he agreed with the extension of free GP services to Under 6’s, that has led

  Hospitals are warning of potential disruption to services once they get back up and running later. Industrial action by nurses ends at 8am, but the HSE says there could be a surge in patients presenting at emergency departments. INMO members will stage a further 24-hour strike next Tuesday, as their dispute with the government

  There are calls on the Minister with responsibility for Disability to ensure annual funding is provided for two organisations in Donegal which provide services for children and young people with autism and intellectual disabilities. iCare and the Bluestacks Special Needs Foundation both missed out on funding under the €16 million Ability Programme last year.

  Donegal County Council is to carry out an audit of all its housing stock to ensure that repairs are carried out promptly and all council properties are being maintained to the right standard. The issue was raised in Lifford this week by Cllr Ciaran Brogan, who said a comprehensive painting and powerwashing scheme should

There’s further warnings to the Government that unless rising insurance costs are tackled, jobs could be lost. South Donegal Deputy Eamon Scanlon says despite the Cost of Insurance Working Group two years ago publishing a series of recommendations to deal with spiralling insurance premiums, many of the key proposals have yet to be implemented. Deputy

Nurses and midwives have begun their first 24 hour strike. 37 thousand members of the INMO are staging industrial action in a row over pay and staffing levels. The HSE says it won’t be a “normal day” for the service with 25 thousand appointments cancelled. People are also being advised to only attend emergency departments

A new IFA Chairperson is to be elected on February 12th, marking the end of Michael Chance’s term as County Chairman. Michael has been Chairman since 2015 and in that short time has seen such developments and trials as the Inishowen Floods, Fodder Crisis, the emergence and developments on Brexit. The Donegal IFA AGM is

There are renewed calls for action on the Garda Station in Carndonagh. The current station has been deemed unfit for purpose by Chief Superintendent Terry McGinn with concerns over health and safety and station security raised in the past. Coupled with this, the station is only open on a limited basis, with Gardai based there

Fisheries Minister Michael Creed says the government remains focused on ensuring an agreement on joint fishing rights between the EU and UK is maintained. However, responding to Dail questions from Donegal Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher this afternoon, Minister Creed said while the risk of a hard Brexit remains, no guarantees can be given. Minister

It’s reported that there are so many applications being made for Irish passports north of the border that there is a shortage of application forms in a number of Post Offices. That’s led to renewed calls for the establishment of a Passport Office in Northern Ireland by the Irish Government. A Sinn Fein led online

Its emerged that none of the beds set to open at Letterkenny University Hospital under the Government’s Winter Initiative have opened. The Health Minister announced that 75 beds were due to open at a number of facilities across the country, 5 at Letterkenny University Hospital, however to date, just 40 have come into operation. Donegal

  Nurses and midwives will mount the largest strike in the history of the health service this morning. 37,000 INMO members will take to the picket lines outside hospitals and HSE facilities from 8 am – demanding pay increases and government action on staff shortages. The government says wage hikes for nurses would open the

  Donegal County Council is calling for funding for more flood barriers in Inishowen, particularly in areas which were proved to be vulnerable in the floods of August 2017. Motions from Cllrs Jack Murray and Bernard Mc Guinness highlighted the need for works, both in terms of immediate protection in the event of further flooding,

  British MPs have voted to reject the Brexit backstop. The House of Commons backed a move last night to replace the measure aimed at avoiding a hard border with “alternative arrangements”. Theresa May says she’ll try to renegotiate the withdrawal agreement. But the Irish government and the EU say that can’t happen. The SNP’s

  Udaras na Gaeltachta is due to publish its Annual Report for 2018, with indications that the figures will show further growth in Udaras supported companies in Donegal and other Gaeltacht areas. Donegal Cllr John Seamais O’Fearraigh, a member of the Udaras board believes there are opportunities for further growth, particularly among companies based in

Donegal County Council has approved plans for a 3km walk and cycle route linking Lifford and Strabane. It will include enhanced crossing facilities and safety works, as well as a one metre buffer zone between the pathway and the road. The project is part of of the North West Greenway Network. Cllr Gerry Crawford says