Author name: oisinkelly

  Labour says the HSE needs to increase its Covid testing capacity to cut down on delays in getting an appointment. Six counties – Donegal, Sligo, Roscommon, Monaghan, Mayo and Cavan – have no available slots at self-referral clinics today. The HSE has capacity for around 200 thousand PCR tests a week. Labour’s health spokesperson,

  OCO Global are to establish a strategic base in gteic@Gaoth Dobhair to faciltate their continued expansion into the Irish market. Headquartered in Belfast, the international trade and investment consulting firm works with governments around the world and advises private sector clients on international expansion. Gaoth Dobhair will join other OCO Global office locations such

  The head of Hospitality Ulster says the industry’s being unfairly singled out when it comes to covid regulations. It follows yesterday’s announcement that covid passports will be needed to enter the likes of restaurants, pubs, and clubs in Northern Ireland before Christmas. Health Minister Robin Swann says he’s trying to prevent more severe restrictions

  A new report shows the number of properties available to rent within Housing Assistance Payment rates has dropped dramatically. The study, by the Simon Communities of Ireland, shows a 79 percent decrease in the number of properties available to people on HAP. The homeless charity is calling on the government to increase the HAP

The Dail has been told that several Donegal families have been traumatised as a result of mistakes made when land registry maps were being digitised. Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn says when the land registry was renamed the Property Registration Authority of Ireland and moved to a digitised system a number of years ago, some families in

A Donegal TD says there is a very real risk that laws intended to address the climate crisis end up punishing the poorer people in society. Speaking during a Dail debate on a Labour Party Bill on Carbon Labelling, Deputy Pringle said while labelling is a useful tool, it doesn’t begin to address the policies

Northern Ireland has recorded its highest number of Covid-19 cases in nearly three months. 1,848 new infections have been confirmed – the largest one-day total since August 27th. 12 people have also died from the virus in the past 24 hours. 427 Covid patients are in hospital in the North, with 33 in intensive care.

3,633 new cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in the Republic this evening, with 634 Covid patients in hospital today, 119 of them in ICU. Latest figures for Letterkenny University Hospital show 17 Covid patients beiong treated there, none of them in ICU. There has been a total of 5,609 deaths related to COVID-19 notified

Foyle MP and SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood says he has has pressed the British government on the need for the North to retain the economic benefits provided by the Protocol. Mr Eastwood was speaking after an SDLP delegation held a virtual meeting with Brexcit Minister Lord David Frost earlier today. Earlier, Lord Frost warned triggering

It’s emerged that the collection of plastic packaging from shops has suddenly stopped in the Twin Towns. The issue is said to be causing a significant build up in various business premises which is in turn taking up valuable space in storage areas. A collection service had operated until recently, but businesses say that seems

  The annual public switch on of the Christmas lights in Letterkenny has been cancelled. The popular event which normally attracts hundreds of people to Letterkennys Main Street was meant to be held this Friday. However, due to the rising number of Covid cases, the decision was made to pull the event. CEO of the

A Donegal doctor says he has reservations about whether the new Covid restrictions will have the desired effect. A curfew for the hospitality sector is being introduced along with changes to self isolation rules for households. Ministers have been given a stark warning about the impact of Covid on hospitals and ICU admissions over the

  A Fine Gael Councillor and local publican says from now until Christmas is a crucial time for the hospitality sector. Businesses rely heavily on revenue brought in over the next few weeks which will see them through into the New Year. There are fears that the new restrictions will result in closures and job

The Health Minister says a “huge increase” in emergency calls since February has contributed to delays in ambulance response times to 999 calls. As part of a Sinn Fein motion on the National Ambulance Service, the Dail heard last night of the case that a patient was brought to Letterkenny University Hospital in a Garda

  This year’s “Be Winter Ready” campaign will focus on farm safety. The campaign, which will be launched later today by Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney, encourages households to prepare for severe weather events. Head of forecasting at Met Eireann, Evelyn Cusack, outlines some of the tasks homeowners can do ahead of possible cold snaps:

  Health officials in Northern Ireland are warning “more severe restrictions” may have to be considered next month, to stop hospitals becoming overwhelmed. It comes as the Stormont Executive prepares to meet later – to discuss covid passports for entry to pubs, restaurants, and other venues. The Health Minister’s recommending they’re made mandatory from mid-December.

  Further Covid restrictions could be brought in before Christmas. The Taoiseach says it’s not clear if new measures will be enough to reduce the Covid rates – and refused to rule out going further. A curfew for the hospitality sector takes effect tomorrow while everyone will be asked to work from home from this

  Letterkenny Institute of Technology will host Ireland’s first ever Alcohol Hangover Research Seminar, this Friday. The seminar will include talks from a host of international experts and is set to explore the behavioral and psychological effects arising from an alcohol related hangover. In addition, a series of engagements regarding future research collaborations between LYIT

  A primary teachers unions says it’s members are “terrified” about the rapid increase in Covid-19 cases in school children. The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation says cases have increased from 3,000 to 8,000 in the space of five weeks. It comes as the Department considers plans to introduce antigen testing for close contacts in schools.

  A Donegal Deputy has pressed the Government to online plans to mitigate against the current difficulties being experienced in the car industry. Deputy Thomas Pringle told the Dail that a scheme needs to be implemented to project jobs within the industry which is struggling with the fallout of Brexit and the shortage of microchips.

Barriers accessing Higher Education are the cause of mental health issues for some people in Direct Provision. New research points to numerous obstacles for refugees and those seeking asylum who’re considered highly educated and qualified with many saying they feel as if they’re in limbo. Dr Sarah Meaney Sartori, Research Manager of College Connect says

  The Taoiseach has said he can’t rule out further Covid restrictions in the coming weeks. Last night a new 12 midnight curfew for the hospitality sector was announced along with changes to self isolation rules for households. Ministers were given a stark warning about the impact of Covid on hospitals and ICU admissions over

  The need for banks to contribute to a 100% Mica Redress Scheme has been highlighted once again. Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn called on the Finance Minister in Finance Committee to request that the banking, constructions and insurance sector make a contribution to the scheme. He called for a number of measures to be included

  Survivors of mother and baby homes have described as ‘totally inadequate’ the redress scheme announced by government. The 800 million euro scheme, announced yesterday, will benefit around 34,000 former residents. Minister for Children, Roderic O’Gorman, says it’s the largest of its kind in the state’s history. But Breda Murphy, PRO of the Tuam Mother

The Taoiseach has said everyone should now work from home unless it’s absolutely necessary. Micheál Martin has confirmed premises, including bars, restaurants and nightclubs, will have a new closing time of midnight from Thursday. All household close contacts will have to restrict their movements for five days and do antigen testing under new rules announced