Category: Old Donegal

 

The Equality Minister says the Government’s working to deliver its commitment to end Direct Provision by the end of 2024.

Roderic O’Gorman says they’re in the process of purchasing a significant number of units of housing across the country.

He says over the course of this year people who are currently in direct provision will be moving into own door or own room accommodation within the community.

Minister O’Gorman says several direct provision centres across the country have already been closed.

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Hospital waiting lists will be cut by almost 20 per cent by the end of the year under new government targets.

It’s expected around 1.5 million people will be added to waiting lists this year because of Covid backlogs.

The new 350 million euro plan aims to ensure 1.7 million people are treated and removed to bring the list to under 600 thousand.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly says people requiring treatment need to get quicker access:

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It’s hoped that sporting facilities in Strabane will be upgraded in the near future.

A motion was passed at the latest sitting of Derry City and Strabane District Council calling for floodlights to be installed at the Arena Pitch in Melvin Sport Complex and for the transfer of the land at Lisnafin playing pitches to the council and for the development of these facilities.

Councillor Michaela Boyle brought forward the motion.

Cllr Boyle says the stage will be to ensure the necessary funding is in place to carry out the works:

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The post Improvements to Strabane sporting facilities a step closer appeared first on Highland Radio – Latest Donegal News and Sport.

The Chair of Donegal County Council’s Mica Redress Committee has warned that homeowners cannot be held to ransom.

A special council meeting was held yesterday to discuss the issue which is affecting thousands of people in Donegal.

The CEO of Donegal County Council, John McLaughlin confirmed that just 5 affected properties have so far been fully repaired under the 90/10 scheme with 686 stage 1 applications currently submitted.

Councillor Martin McDermott says consideration of applications must be expedited to ensure homes are fixed.

He calling for an urgent decision to be made on the applications in question:

https://highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/martinmicafri1pm.mp3

The post Mica homeowners ‘cannot be held to ransom’ appeared first on Highland Radio – Latest Donegal News and Sport.

Donegal groups can apply now for CLÁR funding to help revitalise local rural communities.

€7M has been allocated nationally for the 2022 Programme.

Donegal groups can apply now for CLÁR funding which supports small scale infrastructural projects in rural areas that have experienced significant levels of population decline.

The funding is for the development of local facilities and amenities in rural areas.

Community Groups are encouraged to consider applying for funding for projects such as the provision of Youth Hubs, Multi-Use Gaming Areas, Skateboard Parks, Playgrounds, Handball Alleys, Community Cinemas and Gyms.

Minister Heather Humphreys has increased funding for this years programme by over 25% this year, in recognition of the importance of the programme to some of our most remote rural areas.

The Measures being funded under the 2022 CLÁR Programme are:

Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities & Amenities

Measure 2: Mobility, Cancer Care and Community First Responders Transport

Measure 3: “Our Islands”

Local groups should check out the website of the Department of Rural and Community Development for more information and details of how to apply:
https://www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/91ba52-clar/

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Police believe two recent deer poaching incidents in the Ardmore area of Derry may be linked.

The first incident was a report of suspected deer poaching in the Gosheden Road area on 10th November last year when a dead deer was found in a field in the area.

The second incident, reported to police on 9th January just before 6:40pm, was about suspicious activity in the same area involving a silver-coloured vehicle in the area.

Police are making further enquiries and, at this time, they believe these incidents may be linked.

Wildlife Liaison Officer, Emma Meredith says all reports of deer poaching are taken seriously and stresses that they will investigate this type of wildlife crime like any other.

If you’ve information about this incident call 101.

The post Investigation ongoing into suspected deer poaching appeared first on Highland Radio – Latest Donegal News and Sport.

Almost 1 in 5 Irish job postings on LinkedIn offer a remote working option.

Today’s new Labour Market Pulse shows that’s up from 1 in 7 in the previous quarter.

IDA Ireland, in partnership with Microsoft and LinkedIn, has published the research.

Hiring rates in January this year were around 28 per cent higher than in the same month in 2019.

The post More jobs offering remote working option appeared first on Highland Radio – Latest Donegal News and Sport.

 

The Dail has heard that high house prices in Donegal and a failure by Government to address derelict and vacant properties is forcing people into homelessness and to flee the county.

That’s according to Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn who was speaking last evening during statements on the Town Centre First Policy.

He says it’s unacceptable that properties are let lie vacant when in the midst of a housing crisis.

Deputy MacLochlainn says there is simply nowhere for people to live:

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The CEO of Donegal County Council has confirmed that the acquisition of five Mica affected properties in Buncrana is being reviewed by an external company.

At yesterday’s special meeting of Donegal County Council it was agreed that the context for the decision to purchase the five homes in An Crannla Estate would be made public.

Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle raised the issue in the Dail yesterday also.

He claims he has made multiple Parliamentary Questions and Freedom of Information Requests during the Dail term on the issue of Mica and says the standard of the replies have left a lot to be desired.

Speaking in the Dail, Deputy Pringle says a culture of openness needs to be created:

https://highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Pringlemica1pm.mp3

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An ambitious plan to radically reduce hospital waiting lists will be launched this morning.

The 2022 Waiting List Action Plan will be unveiled by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly and senior health officials.

Over 700,000 people are waiting for an inpatient or outpatient procedure – with over 166,000 waiting over 18 months.

Stephen McMahon, from the Irish Patients Association, says it’s unacceptable.

https://highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/waiting7am.mp3

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