Author name: oisinkelly

Thirteen counties are to benefit in a share of almost €5 million in funding under the Healthy Community Programme. The funding will be used to deliver increased health and wellbeing services in 19 different communities. They include the Gaeltacht and Inishowen areas in Donegal. Minister for Public Health and Wellbeing Frank Feighan says the funding

In the Dail a short moment ago, Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn challenged Taoiseach Michael Martin to meet with the children from Mica affected homes who are protesting today outside Leinster House. He also called on Micheal Martin to correct the record after he claimed he was not invited by organisers to meet with the children

Waiting a few more weeks for a mica redress scheme is acceptable, if it means it’ll be right. That’s according to the Agriculture Minister who spoke to 50 children from across Donegal this afternoon. They were protesting at the gates of Leinster House calling for 100 percent redress. Charlie McConalouge is expecting to see the

A Midlands North West MEP is critical of the Government’s reopening plans. Nightclubs are set to reopen on Friday at full capacity but cultural venues must observe extra restrictions. MEP Maria Walsh says the differences are unfair. She says other European countries are fully open to late-night culture, and the same should be happening in

The Justice Minister in the North is being urged to carry out a review of legislation as it’s claimed five people had their drinks spiked in Derry. A mother raised awareness this week after her daughter told her of the alleged incidents which are believed to have happened in a bar in the city over

  The Taoiseach has accused Sinn Fein of being self-righteous over the Mica Scandal. It comes as over 50 mica affected children from Donegal are currently protesting at the gates of Leinster House. Michael Martin says while Sinn Fein are banging the drum now, there wasn’t one mention of a Mica Redress Scheme in the

  The ‘March of the Mica Children’ is officially underway in the Capital. School-children from Donegal have gathered at the gates Leinster House to demand action over the Mica scandal. Over 50 children are highlighting how their lives have been affected by the crumbling block issue. Campaigners want a 100 per cent redress scheme –

  Over 1,800 people in Donegal are on the waiting list for a driving test. According to freedom of information figures, Letterkenny has the longest waiting list in the county with 972 waiting, followed by Donegal with 552 and Buncrana at 303. Nationally, nearly 58,000 people are waiting to sit a test. Brian Farrell, from

  The Bishop of Raphoe has said they will proceed with caution as it relates to the lifting of restrictions on religious services. The limit on the number of people allowed to attend weddings has been removed as part of a curtailed easing of Covid-19 measures. Capacity limits at religious ceremonies have also been removed

  The Director of An Grianan Theatre in Letterkenny says there needs to be a common sense approach to drawing up new guidelines for live venues. It’s after the Government admitted the further reopening of society is proving more complicated than they would like. Talks will take place today on new guidelines for the reopening

  Irish farmers are set to benefit from 2.9 billion euro in funding under the next phase of the Common Agricultural Policy. It’ll be allocated through to 2027, and is a 50 percent increase on the previous CAP budget. The official announcement’s being made by the Taoiseach and ministers this morning. Agriculture Minister, Charlie McConalogue,

  The Government is admitting the further reopening of society is proving more complicated than they would like. Talks will take place today on new guidelines for the reopening of nightclubs and live venues from this Friday. There’s a lot of confusion about what is allowed and what enforcement measures will be needed. Agriculture Minister,

A Donegal Deputy says rent inflation is heavily impacting Donegal and in particular Mica affected families. Some of those affected by mica are being forced into rental accommodation while also paying for a mortgage on their crumbling homes. Last night, the Dail was debating a motion on Renters where a number of key areas of

  Talks will take place today on new guidelines for the reopening of nightclubs and live venues this Friday. There’s a lot of confusion about what is allowed and what enforcement measures will be needed. Business owners are looking for urgent clarity ahead of the reopening in two days. Co leader of the Social Democrats,

  More than 50 school-children from Donegal will protest outside the Dáil today over the Mica controversy. Children of primary and secondary school age from Donegal whose homes are affected by Mica will travel to the capital today with letters detailing their personal experiences. The government’s finalising an updated compensation scheme – and campaigners are

  Only 60,000 premises will be connected under the National Broadband Plan this year – compared to the original target of 115,000. That’s according to the Department of Communications, which is appearing before an Oireachtas committee today. Only 27,000 premises have been connected so far, due to delays caused by Covid. Former communications minister, Denis

  The National Transport Authority has refused to fund the design of a cycle path and walkway on the road between Conwal Graveyard and Newmills outside Letterkenny. The funding had been sought under the Active Travel Programme. The issue had been raised by Cllr Donal Mandy Kelly, who proposed such a facility earlier this year,

  Issues with GP services in Tyrone is back under the spotlight once again. An access to GP services survey found that the lack of nurses in practices, mental health professionals and physiotherapists, is having a detrimental impact on GPs’ ability to properly support patients An additional £5.5 million is to be invested to improve

Main Evening News, Sport and Obituaries Tuesday October 19th:

BreastCheck is considering expanding the screening programme to under 50s and over 70s. Currently only women aged 50 to 69 years old are invited for a routine screening every two years. However due to the pandemic, the programme is currently operating at a pace that means women are screened every three years. Lead Clinical Director

  The Taoiseach is urging everyone to double down on their efforts to prevent the spread of Covid 19. The Government will announce what restrictions can be eased further this Friday, at a press conference this afternoon. It’s expected the likes of social distancing, mask wearing and the use of digital Covid certs could be