The Department of Health has announced an additional 4,235 cases of Covid-19 in the Republic of Ireland today.
Latest figures show that 470 people are in hospitals with the virus, with 105 in ICUs.
Data also released today confirmed that a further 47 deaths from Covid-19 occurred in the past week.
A Donegal Restaurateur says mixed messaging from government is having a major impact on the industry.
Jo Daly, the Co-owner of the Quay Restaurant in Donegal Town, and President of the Donegal Women in Business Network made the comment on Highland Radio’s Business Matters this week.
Last Thursday, for the first time in its 21 year history, the restaurant had no customers.
Jo Daly told presenter Ciaran O’Donnell things are already difficult enough, and the government is adding to the pressure…
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Restrictions on international travel could be eased this week which measures on socialising are set to be tightened.
NPHET will meet tomorrow to discuss what restrictions need to be in place over Christmas.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has said travel restrictions won’t work as the Omicron variant is already in Ireland.
But he expects NPHET to issue new advice on social mixing and close contacts:
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The British government’s postponed the introduction of custom controls on goods moving from Ireland to Britain, that were set to start on January 1st.
In a written statement, UK authorities say existing arrangements will remain in place while discussions on the Northern Ireland protocol continue.
New customs checks will be introduced for goods arriving into Britain from other EU countries as planned in the new year however.
Myles Sweeney, Donegal Sports Partnership Coordinator
Donegal Sports Partnership has been approved additional funding of €98,200 to support the ongoing return to community sport and physical activity.
The latest allocation is part of the government’s recent announcement on sports funding. Among the measures approved by Sport Ireland were €40,600 for a small grants scheme, €27,600 for grassroots support for disability sport and diversity, and a capital equipment grant of €30,000 to support the further development of the Donegal Bay Inclusive Sports Hub, in association with Kilcar Kayaking Club.
Welcoming the announcement, Myles Sweeney, Coordinator of Donegal Sports Partnership, said: “Donegal Sports Partnership acknowledges the continued support of grassroots sport by the government and Sport Ireland, especially in these challenging times.”
Mr Sweeney added: “The majority of funding received will be directed towards our communities, working and supporting the many sporting clubs and community organisations who work to assist DSP in developing sports, and physical activity programmes and initiatives throughout Donegal.”
The funding is part of a national announcement which sees the government committing an additional €79 million to sport across NGB’s of Sport and Local Sports Partnership’s in Ireland.
Some €73.6 million in Covid funding is being allocated under five separate streams to help sports organisations to recover and grow post pandemic, support our grassroots network of clubs and local sports partnerships, and ensure people of all ages and abilities return to sport and physical activity.
A further €5.3 million is being provided to sport National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) for the provision of sports equipment including the roll out of defibrillators for clubs, kits for school children and state of the art equipment for our high-performance athletes.
This week’s announcement follows a government commitment of a €65 million COVID-19 investment programme. Additional investment has been provided through the 2021 Sport Ireland budget providing total COVID support of €73.617 million to the sector. The timing of the schemes provides stability and certainty to the sports sector as it emerges from the pandemic and plans for 2022.
Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD said: “As a nation so fond of sports, we are very supportive of our clubs, our competitors and of course everyone who enjoys physical activity. But the last two years have been two of the most challenging for all sports organisations and the announcement of this funding will come as a relief for the sports sector. It’s important that the sport sector is on a firm financial footing.”
“The additional funding, coupled with the increase in the budget for sport in 2022, will ensure the long-term viability of our sports organisations, high performance sport and will make sure sport remains accessible to all. These emergency funds will reach all corners of the country, a myriad of activities and ensure clubs and grassroots groups continue their great work,” Minister Martin added.
Minister of State for Sport and Gaeltacht Affairs Jack Chambers TD, commented: “I welcome today’s allocations announced by Sport Ireland, which recognise the immense contribution that sport and physical activity has made to Ireland’s response to the pandemic. All facets of society continue to adjust as the public health situation evolves and our National Governing Bodies, Local Sports Partnership and sports clubs are to be commended on how they have adapted.
“Government understands that this has been challenging for all and the funding allocated will assist the sector as it continues to play an important role in supporting all members of society getting and staying active.”
Nakita Burke
Six Donegal athletes have been selected on Northern Ireland and Ulster Teams for the World Athletics Northern Ireland International Cross Country which takes place in January.
Nikita Burke of Letterkenny AC is selected on the senior women’s team while Finn Valley duo Nuala Bose and Ciara Laverty are on the U20 team.
Finn Valley’s Oisin Toye is on the U20 mens team with Mark Galvin of Letterkenny and Cranford’s Caolan McFadden are part of the U17 group.
The event on Saturday 22nd January at the Billy Neill Country Park in Belfast incorporates the Home Countries; Celtic International and the British Cross Challenge as well as being part of the World Athletics Cross Country Tour.
A Sligo based Donegal native who served as president of the INMO from 2018 to 2020 says intervention is needed to solve the crisis in Health Care, particularly in Emergency Departments.
On today’s Nine til Noon Show, Martina Harkin Kelly said there is a dehumanisation taking place in the health service, and that is something that needs to be addressed…………
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Animal Welfare Organisations in Donegal are to receive a share of €58,000 announced by Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue.
It’s part of a national fund of over €3.7m to raise awareness of animal welfare on Animal Welfare Awareness Day.
Animals In Need, Donegal Town will receive the biggest tranche of funding in the county at €32,000.
€12,000 has been sanctioned for ISPCA, Donegal Animal Rehabilitation Centre will €3,000 has been set aside for TNR Donegal.
The remainder, €11,000 will go to Twin Towns Lost and Found Dogs in Killygordon.
Minister McConalogue says he and his Department will continue to work closely with animal welfare groups and other stakeholders in the promotion of animal welfare.
The General Manager of Letterkenny University says they are experiencing significant bed pressure across the facility.
Over 800 additional patients passed through the hospital last month compared to November 2020.
Sean Murphy says the hospital has been operating at full capacity for the past three months.
He told today’s Nine til Noon that all departments are facing continuous pressures:
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On this week’s Business Matters, Ciaran O’Donnell talks to co-owner of the Quay Restaurant in Donegal Town, and President of the Donegal Women in Business Network, Jo Daly, about the difficult times the restaurant sector is experiencing.
Ciaran is also joined by Dungloe-based mechanical services contractor, Adrian Sweeney, who is also owner of Sweeney’s Homevalue in Lettermacaward and Sweeney’s Plumbing and Hardware in Derrybeg.
Listen back here:
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