Author name: oisinkelly

A Donegal Deputy says figures published today by the CSO show Donegal has been scarred by years of austerity. Unemployment stands at 18% in the County compared to 12.9% Statewide- nearly 50% higher. The figures show there are more carers, more disabled people in Donegal and a lower level of overall health than the average. […]

Irish Water has released a statement reminding people on the Fintown Public Water Supply that a boil notice remains in place. It is after the discovery of cryptosporidium in treated water though there has been no reported illness from the parasite. It is almost 2 weeks since the boil notice was put in place but

Gardai are warning of a major crack down on motoring offences over the weekend of the Donegal International Rally. Motorists who break the law are being warned that they will be arrested and taken to court. Inspector Michael Harrison says those who take part in the rally and its true supporters are law abiding but

Latest figures from Census 2016 show an unemployment rate of 18% in Donegal, 5% above the national average. Labour force participation in the county is 4% lower than the national average, while there is a slightly higher proportion of unpaid carers. In April 2016, there were 71,182 persons in the labour force in County Donegal,

It’s emerged that 37 Donegal patients have received radiotherapy at the new centre in Altnagelvin Hospital, with management there saying things are progressing according to plan. In a letter to DACC Chair Betty Holmes, management say to date the Altnagelvin facility has received 37 referrals for patients from Donegal, 17 for prostate radiotherapy and 20

There were 24 patients awaiting admission at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning, nine of them on Emergency Department trolleys. That’s down five on yesterday’s figure. Nationally, the latest INMO figures show there were 380 people awaiting in-patient beds at hospitals across the country this morning, with Limerick and Cork the most overcrowded with 41 and

West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan says education providers are being placed under immense budgetary pressure and has called on all political parties to commit to restoring power sharing as crisis in school budgets becomes critical. He says a number of primary and post-primary school principals are now making their concerns very clear in West Tyrone

A Donegal councillor says the Department of the Marine, Inland Fisheries Ireland and other agencies should be invited to a special council meeting to discuss how best to develop marine based industries. Cllr Ian Mc Garvey says there is huge untapped potential, particularly in the Fanad pensinsula, and what is needed for local people to

Donegal Deputy Joe Mc Hugh says his promotion to the role of Chief Whip is a huge challenge which he is relishing. He has also been given special responsibility for the Gaeltacht and the Irish language, which he has welcomed. Deputy Mc Hugh is now responsible for the co-ordination of Government business in the Dáil.

One of the newly elected Sinn Fein MPs in Northern Ireland says he and his six colleagues will today seek speaking and voting rights in the Dail Barry Mc Elduff and his colleagues are travelling to Dublin today to formally take up their places on the Good Friday Implementation Committee. However, Mr Mc Elduff told

MEPs in Strasbourg have backed proposals to bring an end to the gender pension gap that exists in the European Union. Ideas include providing credits for maternity, paternity or parental leave and to those who leave their job to care for the sick and elderly. Independent MEP for this area Marian Harkin says women have

Following his appointment as Chief Whip last night, Donegal Deputy Joe Mc Hugh said he is confident that this Government with Leo Varadkar at the helm will help him in his efforts to secure more for the people o Donegal. Deputy McHugh has been given special responsibility for the Gaeltacht as part of his appointment.

  The Government has been accused of pursuing an anti-Donegal policy with its national rural funding programme Pat the Cope Gallagher made the comments as it emerged that Donegal recieved just 1% of the national allocation of CLAR funding under the Safety Measures and Play Area Programme CLAR targets funding to areas of population decline

Donegal Deputy Joe McHugh is the government’s Chief Whip following Wednesday cabinet reshuffle by the new Taoiseach. Leo Varadkar confirmed that the former Diaspora Minster will also be Minster of State at the Department of Culture with responsibility for  Gaeilge, Gaeltacht and the islands. Regina Doherty, Eoghan Murphy and Michael Ring have been given full

Deputy Thomas Pringle has said that the people of Donegal should not be fooled by Leo Varadkar’s notion of a ‘Republic of Opportunity’ as this will only serve those already privileged. Leo Varadkar became the new Taoiseach today after receiving his seal of office from the President. But Thomas Pringle claims that Donegal will not

Cllr Gerry Mc Monagle has this afternoon become Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council. He was appointed to the position at this afternoon’s Council AGM at County House in Lifford. He replaces Fine Gael’s Terence Slowey in the top chair. Sinn Fein Councillor Noel Jordan is leas Cathoirleach Cathaoirleach McMonagle has been outlining his priorities to

The Donegal Road Safety Working Group have issued a road safety appeal ahead of the Donegal International Rally. People attending the rally this weekend are being urged to pay heed to the speed limits and drive with care. Young men in particular, who follow the sport, are urged not imitate what they see during the

Leo Varadkar’s been voted by the Dáil as Ireland’s 14th Taoiseach – 10 years to the day after being elected a TD. He’s now Taoiseach elect until he collects his seal of office and warrant of appointment at the Arás in the next few minutes. He’ll return to Government Buildings this afternoon, speak to British

Three men have been arrested during a Garda operation in Letterkenny today. Gardai, some of whom were armed, arrested the men on the town’s lower main street at noon today – a car was seized during the operation. The men are currently detained at Letterkenny Garda Station. The arrests have been linked to a spate

It has been confirmed that work will begin this year on both the Fintra Bridge and Tirconnail Bridge. Minister Shane Ross has commited €700,000 in funding for the Tirconail Bridge, Donegal Town while the Fintra Bridge between Killybegs and Kilcar is awaiting a further report by Donegal County Council. Welcoming the confirmation, Councillor Niamh Kennedy

The quality of water in Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough is the focus of a planned new cross-border water improvement study, with the prospect of substantial money being made available for necessary works. An initial €3.2 million has been allocated to SWELL, the Shared Waters Enhancement and Loughs Legacy initiative involves a detailed investigation into

A Letterkenny Municipal Councillor says it’s vital that progress is made on the Urban Gateway Scheme announced last year for the district. €500,000 has been allocated, but Cllr Michael Mc Bride says the work has been held up, and the council must act now to ensure that there are no further delays. He says the

Sinn Féin have taken the helm in Inishowen, with Councillor Jack Murray elected Cathaoirleac at the Inishowen municipal district AGM last evening. His party colleague, Albert Doherty, was elected Leas Cathaoirleach. Speaking after his election, Cllr Murray said he wants to bring the role to the people……….. Meanwhile, Sinn Fein will take the top spot in

Leo Varadkar will be elected the youngest ever Taoiseach this afternoon when the Dáil meets. He’s expected to carry out a wide-ranging reshuffle with a number of new faces joining the Cabinet. Mr Varadkar has always had an affection for Donegal, according to the new Mayor of the Letterkenny Municipal District. Councillor Jimmy Kavanagh says

Mobile phone roaming charges within the European Union will end at midnight tonight. From tomorrow, EU citizens can make calls within the European Union for the price of a local call, marking the end of excessive roaming bills. However consumers are advised that when outside the country, data charges will vary between phone companies relative

Councillor Jimmy Kavanagh has been elected as the new Mayor of the Letterkenny Municipal District. Councillor Kavanagh will replace Councillor James Pat McDaid who previously held the position. While Councillor Michael McBride has been announced as the new Deputy Mayor. Councillor Kavanagh now vows to continue Councillor McDaid’s work on infrastructure in the town as

Following the publication of the expert panel’s Mica report, public representatives across the county have spoken out, calling for a Redress Scheme to be set up. Welcoming the publication, Junior Minister Joe McHugh says he wants the panel recommendations implemented as soon as possible. The report into the defective block issue makes a number of

Enda Kenny has announced his resignation as Taoiseach. He’s presided over a final session in Leinster House, and will go to Aras an Uachtarain this afternoon to hand in his notice. Kenny will remain on in a caretaker capacity until tomorrow lunchtime, when the Dáil votes on the appointment Leo Varadkar. This afternoon in the

Police in Derry are continuing to seek the public’s assistance in relation to an investigation into what was described as a ‘paramilitary-style attack’ on a vulnerable teenager. The incident took place in the Gartan Square area on Derry in the early hours of Saturday last. Assailants armed with iron bars set upon the vulnerable 15

There were 32 people awaiting admission at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning, 12 of them on Emergency Department trolleys. Today’s figure comes as a senior radiology consultant in Donegal says there should be a national campaign of anger at deficiencies in the health service similar to that which led to the toppling of water charges.

Junior Minister Joe McHugh has welcomed the publication today of the expert panel’s report on Mica-affected homes in Donegal and Mayo and says he wants the panel recommendations implemented as soon as possible. The Mica Report makes a number of recommendations and recognises hundreds of homeowners here in the county were affected through no fault