Category: Old Donegal

People asked to revert to working from home from today

 

 

People are being asked to revert to working from home from today, unless it’s necessary.

It’s a complete reversal of the rules that were relaxed in September.

But the Government’s being warned it may not have the desired effect on Covid-19 case numbers.

Neil McDonnell, Chief Executive of ISME, says the economy could be damaged for little benefit:

https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/mcdonnell7am.mp3

 

Meanwhile Bars, restaurants and nightclubs will now have to shut from midnight, while covid certs will also be required to go to cinemas and theatres.

Weddings will also have to wrap up by midnight, as hotel bars are included in the new closing times.

Residents demand flooding issues be addressed

 

There are calls for an urgent meeting in relation to flooding issues along the Foyle and Letterkenny Roads in Derry.

It’s understood that there have been regular flooding issues there for many years with residents demanding remedial measures be carried out.

The problematic areas are adjacent to the River Foyle – Cllr Patricia Logue believes that a comprehensive inspection and survey programme is required to assess the structural condition of the network.

Cllr Logue says with more housing planned in the area over the coming years, it is imperative that issues are resolved now:

https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/paflooding1pm.mp3

Cashel Na Cor to reopen on Monday

 

The HSE has confirmed that Cashel Na Cor Community Inclusion Hub will be reopening on Monday.

This follows temporary closure due to the need to redeploy staff from Cashel na Cor to a residential facility in Inishowen which provides 24/7 hour care to people with disabilities.

The residential facility experienced a significant COVID-19 outbreak which affected high numbers of staff and residents.

Cashel na Cor will be returning on Monday next to pre-outbreak service levels that were provided to Priority 1 people who access day service provision there.

It is intended that Cashel Na Cor will operate at full capacity as soon as possible as staff are deemed fit to return to work in the residential service & Cashel na Cor staff are then returned to the day service.

This situation is monitored and managed by the COVID-19 outbreak management team who meet with Infection Prevention Control several times each week.

Additional home support will also continue to be provided for people who attend the day service who cannot yet return.

Rather than have to temporarily close Cashel na Cor, every effort was made to source staff from other areas and agencies but this was not possible due to service requirements in other areas and the lack of agency staff available.

Scaling back or closure of services only takes place after extensive efforts to redeploy staff from other services.

Donegal Disability Services are aware of the impact of service closure on people with disabilities and their families and are working with the HSE Human Resource department to ensure contingencies are in place.

However workforce availability is limited with particular areas, such as Inishowen, particularly difficult to recruit to.

At present there is a recruitment campaign underway for Social Care Staff and there have been recent interviews carried out for other grades such as nursing staff.

Junior Gaeltacht Minister visits Donegal

Junior Gaeltacht Minister Jack Chambers has approved two more language plans in Donegal, one covering the north of the county, the other covering the Gaeltacht Lar.

Minister Chambers also announced further grants for the development of the arts in the Donegal Gaeltacht.

During his visit to the county, Minister Chambers announced the official launch of the North Donegal Language Plan under the language planning process.

He also confirmed that he is approving the Gaeltacht Lár Language Plan.

An annual budget of up to €100,000 each will be made available to both lead organisations over the seven year life of the plan, with the employment of one Language Planning Officer provided for.

Minister Chambers also announced a grant of up to €150,000 for Ealaín (Aileen) na Gaeltachta to develop a pilot drama programme for young people in the Gaeltacht.

This builds on a €1.27 million allocation announced in 2019 for a three year project to develop language-based arts in the Gaeltacht.

He also visited Downings, and the Business Park in Gweedore.

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Press Release in full – 

Grant of up to €150,000 approved for Ealaín na Gaeltachta to develop a pilot drama programme for young people in the Gaeltacht
North Donegal Language Planning Area Language Plan officially launched
Gaeltacht Lár Language Planning Area Language Plan approved

Minister of State for the Gaeltacht and Sport Jack Chambers will tour North Donegal today, the 18th of November.

During the trip, the Minister of State will visit Coláiste Ros Goill, Na Dúnaibh and he will announce the official launch of the North Donegal Language Plan under the language planning process. Céim Aniar CTR is the leading language planning organisation responsible for the preparation and implementation of the plan for the Area.

The Minister of State will also announce that he is approving the Gaeltacht Lár Language Plan under the language planning process. Gleann Fhinne Cuideachta faoi Theorainn Ráthaíochta is the leading language planning organisation responsible for the preparation and implementation of the plan for the Area.

An annual budget of up to €100,000 each will be made available to both lead organisations over the 7 year life of the plan and the employment of one Language Planning Officer will be provided for.

Minister of State Chambers said;

“I am delighted with the progress made to date in the language planning process. The approval of the An Ghaeltacht Lár language plan, the 25th plan under the process, is a major step forward. Well done to the lead organisation “Gleann Fhinne Cuideachta faoi theorainn Ráthaíochta” which prepared the language plan for An Ghaeltacht Lár. Congratulations to Póilín Ó Ghallachóir, the newly appointed Language Planning Officer for the North Donegal area, I wish her every success in implementing the North Donegal language plan that I have officially launched today.”

As for Ealaín na Gaeltachta, on a visit to Gteic in Gaoth Dobhair, the Minister of State announced a grant of up to €150,000 for Ealaín na Gaeltachta to develop a pilot drama programme for young people in the Gaeltacht. This grant will enable for a period of one year;

· Employment of a co-ordinator to develop the drama programme,

· Provision of 700 hours of tuition in Irish language drama which will benefit approximately 230 school pupils in the Gaeltacht, and

· Examination of best practice nationally and internationally for strategic planning to address identified gaps and weaknesses.

This specific funding complements the €1.275m three-year allocation approved for the organisation in 2019 to implement a programme for the benefit of the language-based arts in the Gaeltacht in support of both the language planning process and the policy for Gaeltacht education. Under this programme, additional language acquisition and enrichment opportunities are provided for Gaeltacht youth.

Announcing the grant, Minister of State Chambers said:

I am delighted to announce this pilot programme today – a programme that will provide an additional platform for Irish language drama to the young people of the Gaeltacht. During the pandemic, many services moved to a blended approach of personal and online services for young people. This funding will help to strengthen and develop this infrastructure, ensuring that high quality drama is made available to the Irish language community. The arts are also important in supporting the mental well-being of our young people and I am delighted that this fund will support activities that will enhance the quality of life and positive well-being of young people in the Gaeltacht.

Minister of State Chambers will also visit Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge in Páirc Ghnó Ghaoth Dobhair, where he will get a taste of the work of the Acadamh in the Donegal Gaeltacht. The Minister of State recently announced a three-year fund of up to €3m to enable Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge to continue to provide a range of courses through the medium of Irish in the three Gaeltacht centres – in Gaoth Dobhair, Carna and An Cheathrú Rua.

Watch / Listen: The Score 18/11/21

Jason Quigley tours Boston before his up coming fight with Demetrius Andrade on November 19th in Manchester NH.

On the Score this week, Oisin Kelly hears from the camp of Jason Quigley ahead of his WBO world middleweight title shot against Demetrius Andrade on Friday in New Hampshire USA.

Ollie Horgan looks ahead to Finn Harps game with Longford where the Ballybofey side know a win will secure Premier Division football for next season.

In our GAA preview, St Eunan’s Manager Rory Kavanagh and Cloughaneely boss Michael Lynch preview their respective Ulster Championship encounters with Glen and Steelstown.

Listen / Watch below:

Part 1


https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/SCORE-PT-1.mp3

Part 2

https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/SCORE-PT-2.mp3

Quigley Countdown – Can Jason upset the odds

Fight night for Jason Quigley is getting closer. The Donegal man is on the verge of achieving the dream of becoming World Champion.

Jason (19-1, 14KOs) will step into the ring in Manchester, New Hampshire around 3am on Saturday morning Irish time going up against the WBO Middleweight Champion Demetrius ‘Boo Boo’ Andrade (30-0, 18KOs).

Former WBC bantamweight champion Wayne McCullough will again be in Jason’s corner.

The ‘Pocket Rocket’ steps in for coach Andy Lee who was unable to travel. McCullagh was alongside Jason when he defeated Shane Mosley Jr in Las Vegas last May.

At Thursday weigh-in Jason received a hometown reception as he made weight, tipping the scales 2-ounces lighter than his opponent.

The Champ Andrade is tagged as the big favourite with Quigley the massive outsider at 7/1 to win.

The SNHU Arena will have a huge Irish support which Jason hopes to feed off through the fight.

Lyle Green of Sheer Sports, Jason’s management company says it’s a huge occasion for his poster fighter and their man is in with a great chance to take the belt:

https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/lylegreen.mp3

Raphoe Boxing Club’s Gary McCullagh is part of Team Quigley. Speaking with Oisin Kelly after Wednesday’s pre-fight event Gary told Oisin Kelly this is a fight he is confident Jason can win:

https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/SC-GARY.mp3

North Inishowen still Donegal’s Covid hotspot

North Inishowen was the only one of the seven Local Electoral Areas in Donegal to register a fall in the number of Covid 19 cases in the two weeks to Monday last.

However, it remains the area with the highest incidence rate in Donegal, and the second highest in the country, with 335 cases during that period, a 14 day incidence rate of 1,974 cases per 100,000 people.

It’s the second highest rate in the state, after Drogheda.

The county’s steepest increase was in Milford with 236 cases, and a rate of 1,714.

South Inishowen registered 269 cases, a rate of 1,203.

The four remaining LEAs in Donegal recorded rates below the national average of 1,161.

Glenties was almost static, with 275 cases and a rate of 1,148, while Letterkenny recorded 301 cases, and a rate of 1,030.

Lifford Stranorlar had 276 cases, and a rate of 1,066, while the Donegal LEA had 232 cases, a rate of 876.

Quigley mural unveiled in Ballybofey

 

As Jason Quigley prepares for his WBO World Middleweight title bid this Friday, a mural depicting him in fighting stance has been unveiled in his home town of Ballybofey.

He faces Demetrius Andrade at the SNHU Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire, USA.

The mural, painted by local artist Kevin Gallagher, can be seen on Back Lane, just off Lower Main Street.

4,650 new Covid cases in ROI, 1,681 in NI

4,650 new cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed this evening.

The Chief Medical Officer, Tony Holohan, says around 1 in 6 people in Ireland had symptoms of the virus in the past week.

He says the most important action you can take if you experience symptoms is to self-isolate and arrange a PCR test, not an antigen test.

643 covid patients are in hospital, of which 118 are in ICU.

Latest figures for Letterkenny University Hospital show 17 Covid patients being treated there, one of them in Intensive Care.

Meanwhile, latest figures in Northern Ireland show 1,681 new Covid 19 cases recorded this afternoon, with six additional Covid-related deaths.

There are 419 patients in hospital with the disease in Northern Ireland, with 34 in ICU.

Donegal registered 1,941 new cases over the two weeks to midnight on Tuesday, a 14 day incidence rate of 1,219 cases per 100,000 people. That’s almost identical to the national rate of 1,211.

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