Author name: oisinkelly

Sinn Fein says any new contracts for hospital consultants need to be ‘fit for purpose’. The Minister for Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, says a deal on ‘public only’ contracts under Slaintecare could be reached in the coming weeks. The Irish Hospital Consultants Association says there are currently 700 vacant consultant positions, and it’s believed that

Today is World Mental Health Day, and Mental Health Ireland says more funding is needed for early intervention and primary care services. The group is calling on the government to spend an additional 85 million euro on mental health services in Budget 2022. The World Health Organisation recommends that 12 percent of a country’s health

A Senior Lecturer at the RCSI says the high virus cases over the past two days is a ‘worrisome trend’. As of yesterday’s latest figures, there were 1,940 new cases of Covid-19 here. 352 covid patients are in hospitals, including 74 in ICUs. Infectious diseases consultant Eoghan de Barra says 25 per cent of the

There’s been a broad welcome to reports that childcare costs will be prioritised in next week’s Budget. The Budget White Paper shows a deficit of thirteen billion euro for this year, meaning the government has more funds available than expected. Its reported today that measures will be introduced to help families with the cost of

A public health expert says Ireland’s experiencing a ‘worrying leap’ in Covid cases. 2,002 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed here yesterday, up sharply on the day before, as Ireland now has over twice the European average for daily Covid-19 cases. There are also 354 patients in hospitals here with the virus, 73 of those

The Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council has described yesterday’s Mica protest in Dublin as a revolution. It’s estimated that over 20,000 people, mainly from Donegal, took part in yesterday’s demonstration, the second such protest calling for 100% mica redress. Speaking from the podium at Custom House yesterday, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Cllr Jack Murray

The Minister for Agriculture has acknowledged the importance of striking the right balance in setting targets for the agriculture and food sectors. Carbon Budgets are set to be established in the coming weeks which will lead to carbon emissions limits being applied in key sectors of the economy for the first time. Donegal Minister Charlie

  A Donegal Mica affected homeowner says her family’s lives have changed utterly as a result of the crisis. Thousands of impacted homeowners and supporters marched through Dublin city yesterday. The Government is due to make a final decision on a redress scheme in the coming weeks, but so far has resisted fully covering homeowners

  It’s estimated that over 20,000 people, mainly from Donegal, took part in today’s Mica protest in the Capital. The march made its way through the city to the Custom House where a number of heartfelt speeches were heard from affected homeowners. They’re calling on the Government to guarantee they will cover 100 per cent

  The Mica protest is underway in earnest in the Capital with tens of thousands of people from Donegal in attendance. The man behind today’s demonstration says it’s regrettable that people had to come down in their droves to Dublin. They’re calling on the Government to guarantee they will cover 100 per cent of the

  Thousands of Mica campaigners are marching through Dublin City Centre. They’re calling on the Government to guarantee they will cover 100 percent of the rebuild costs of their crumbling homes. The Government has so far offered a partial redress scheme, but a final decision is due in a matter of weeks. Homeowner Coleen McDaid

IFA members in Donegal are in Dublin attending their second protest of the day. This morning, they were in Cavan at the Ulster leg of a national protest highlighting farmers’ concerns at the new environmental provisions being proposed by the Green Party. They then travelled to Dublin for this afternoon’s Mica demonstration there. Brendan McLaughlin

A Donegal Deputy is calling on the Government to ensure full participation in all aspects of political and social life for people with disabilities. Speaking in the Dail, Deputy Thomas Pringle cited figures which show that nearly a quarter of people with disabilities have reported difficulty accessing their right to vote. There are over 650,000

As thousands of people prepare to march through Dublin calling for a genuine 100% mica redress scheme, the government is promising a new scheme will be published in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, campaigners say they are considering their options if the revised scheme does not meet their requirements. Eamonn Jackson is Chairperson of the Mica

Country music star Daniel O’Donnell is showing his support for those affected by the Mica scandal. Thousands of people from Donegal, Mayo and elsewhere will protest in Dublin today, demanding the government commit to a 100 percent redress scheme. A draft report estimates the total cost could hit 3.2 billion euro and the government’s currently

The IFA has warned the government not to ignore their concerns around safeguarding the viability of farms in Ireland. Farmers will take to the streets today at four regional rallies throughout the country protesting at the economic consequences of environmental policy initiatives demanded by the Green Party. A number of Donegal farmers are attending a

There are further calls on the Irish Government to provide funding to the City of Derry Airport. While the airport primarily facilities people in Northern Ireland, figures show that 40% of its passengers are from Donegal. The issue was raised in the Dail as part of Statements on the recovery of tourism and aviation by

  Donegal County Council has been told that new by-laws governing casual trading are needed to address the growth in roadside coffee pods and gourmet food outlets. Cllr Niamh Kennedy moved a motion this week, urging the council to investigate the potential of designated trading areas where there has been increased activity in trading, and

  Thousands of Donegal people are set to descend on the Capital later for a second 100% mica redress demonstration. The protest gets underway at 12 noon in Dublins City Centre. Speaking in the Dail last night Donegal Deputy Joe McHugh the crisis has gone on too long and it’s time to resolve it once

  Sinn Féin has called for the Help to Buy scheme to be scrapped in the budget. The party also says the Local Property Tax needs to be phased out and Carbon Tax increases should be halted. The party has called for a wealth tax, increases in employers PSRI and stamp duty hikes on larger