Author name: oisinkelly

  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

British MPs are due to vote on 7 amendments later, which will influence the future of Brexit negotiations. Labour’s supporting an attempt to postpone Brexit if there’s a no deal scenario by late February. Meanwhile Theresa May is seeking to replace the backstop with “alternative arrangements”. Brussels has insisted it won’t reopen the Withdrawal Agreement.

There are calls on the community and local health campaigners to support the Nurses in strike action outside Letterkenny University Hospital. The 24 hour strike will begin at 8am tomorrow, meaning many services will be cancelled. Local injury units will not operate while planned inpatient surgery will be cancelled, except for cancer surgery. Spokesperson for

The DUP says it will back a Brexit compromise both Conservative remainers and leavers support. It includes effectively extending the transition period until the end of 2021 – and changing the backstop in the Withdrawal Agreement dealing with the border. The Unionist Party believes it is feasible. We’ll find out soon what amendments British MPs

Gardai have renewed their appeal for information regarding the fire which damaged a Moville hotel in which up to 100 asylum seekers were to be based. The attack happened just over two months ago, and a comprehensive garda investigation is continuing. Sergeant Charlene Atherton made the latest appeal on today’s Ninbe ’til Noon Show…..

  The funerals of four young men, who died in a single car collision in Gortahork on Sunday, will take place on Thursday. Shaun Harkin, John Harley, Michael Roarty and Daniel Scott, who were all in their early 20s, died when their Toyota Corolla car left the road near Gortahork. The four young men died

  Donegal County Council has backed a motion supporting nurses ahead of the one day strike which takes place tomorrow (WED). The motion was moved by Cllr Marie Therese Gallagher, who said it’s important that the council send solidarity and support to nurses and midwives. She says a resolution of this dispute is vital: Marathon

Increases to Housing grants for Elderly and Disabled persons paid by Donegal County Council will come into effect on Friday. The increases were ratified this week by the council, on foot of recommendations from the housing SPC. The council also agreed to relax the criteria for inclusion in the scheme, saying if a person’s condition

  Sub-zero overnight temperatures can be expected this week, as a yellow snow-ice warning takes effect. It will be in place for five days and see temperatures drop. Wintry showers will affect mainly the west and northwest in the coming days. However, Met Eireann’s John Eagleton says the greatest risk of snow showers will be

  A €1.7 million upgrade of community radiology services across Donegal have been unveiled. Last year, upgrading works to x-ray facilities were carried out at community hospitals in Donegal Town, Dungloe, Killybegs and Carndonagh. Noeleen Gallagher, Clinical Specialist in Community Radiologist Services, Donegal says the works have paved the way for the expansion of services

  Donegal’s newest councillor has taken his seat at County House in Lifford. Cllr Seamus Maguire replaces John Campbell, who announced his resignation from the authority earlier this month. He will sit as an independent, and will be one of an expected 11 candidates being endorsed by Deputy Thomas Pringle in May. He says he