Category: Old Donegal

The St. Patrick’s Day parade 2022 in Donegal Town has been given the ‘green’ light.

The festivities were thrown into doubt in recent weeks after a poor turnout at an initial planning meeting – just six people attended, three of which were from the same family.

However there was a much bigger attendance at a further meeting held last night.

The event is due to take place at 3pm on March 17th.

One of the organisers Jonathan Kennedy says they are still interested in hearing from people who might want to help out:

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Sinn Fein’s Finance Spokesperson is calling for an end to tax advantages gifted to investment funds.

Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty moved a motion on the matter in the Dail last evening with an aim of protecting renters and homebuyers.

The motion also calls on the Government to bring forward measures to empower local authorities and build sustainable communities where workers and families can rent or buy at affordable prices.

Deputy Doherty told Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe that change is needed:

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A female pedestrian has lost her life following a road incident in Sligo last night.

The woman believed to be in her 20’s died following the traffic incident on the N15 at Moneygold which is situated between Grange and Cliffoney.

The incident took place between 10 p.m. and 10.30 p.m. last night.

The road is currently closed to facilitate a garda examination of the scene and local diversions are in place.

Gardaí are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward, particularly those with dash cam footage.

The post Pedestrian dies following road incident in Sligo appeared first on Highland Radio – Latest Donegal News and Sport.

 

The Sinn Fein leader has described the latest developments as it relates to HSE management in the North West as disturbing.

It’s after the Health Watchdog noted “a very serious incident” regarding the online behaviour of a resident at one residential disability centre in the region which is believed to relate to a resident viewing material of child sexual exploitation online.

Speaking in the Dail, Mary Lou McDonald says a question mark has once again been put over the HSE’s ability to safety provide services and called for safeguarding legislation to be fast tracked:

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Responding, the Taoiseach says efforts are underway by relevant bodies to strengthen safeguarding practice:

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The post HSE developments in North West ‘disturbing’ appeared first on Highland Radio – Latest Donegal News and Sport.

 

Irish Water has come under fire yet again over what’s been described as a lack of engagement with Donegal County Council.

Despite numerous invitations for Irish Water to attend Council meetings, the utility rarely sends a representative to discuss the various concerns of the day.

Cllr Donal Kelly says there are a number of serious issues with supply in the county and they need to be talked about face to face.

Cllr Kelly is calling on Irish Water to meet with local representative as a matter of urgency:

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A review into the future of GP services will get under way this year, according to the Health Minister.

Stephen Donnelly says the government committed to it in 2019, but it was delayed due to the Covid pandemic.

The Irish College of GPs is warning 2,000 doctors need to be recruited over the next five to ten years.

Minister Donnelly says he accepts what health unions have said about the shortage of family doctors.

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Laws around the use of facemasks in shops, schools and on public transport are expected to be dropped and replaced with guidance.

The government’s understood to be keen for NPHET to recommend the Covid restrictions be eased.

The public health officials will meet tomorrow to consider their use.

The post Laws around use of facemasks to be downgraded appeared first on Highland Radio – Latest Donegal News and Sport.

Outpatient waiting lists grew by almost 100 thousand during the pandemic, according to the head of the HSE.

The Oireachtas Health Committee is due to hear from Paul Reid this morning at a meeting on the implementation of Sláintecare.

The pandemic had a huge impact on waiting lists

The outpatient list grew by 98 thousand, with day patient waiting lists also growing by 14 thousand

HSE boss Paul Reid will tell an Oireachtas committee this morning the 2021 action plan for waiting lists made some inroads, with a 21% reduction in the number of people waiting more than 18 months for an outpatient appointment.

Secretary General of the Department of Health Robert Watt will say a new plan for reducing waiting lists will go to Cabinet next week.

He’s expected to point out structural issues in the health service, with a new regional framework for the health service to be ready by the end of the year.

While the two health officials are at the committee to talk about Sláintecare, no doubt TDs and Senators will have other questions.

Allegations of fake recruitment targets and financial mismanagement in the HSE will be raised.

While Robert Watt is sure to face questions about the more than 80 thousand euro pay rise he got to become the Department of Health’s top civil servant.

The post Pandemic has huge impact on hospital waiting lists appeared first on Highland Radio – Latest Donegal News and Sport.

Main Evening News, Sport and Obituaries Tuesday February 15th:

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People in the North West deserve better from health services.

That’s according to Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty who was reacting to concerns raised by HIQA over the HSE’s fitness as a registered provider of centres for people with disabilities in the region.

Concern was expressed by HIQA about the HSE’s management of its services in the Northwest area, two months after the partial publication of the Brandon Report which outlined abuse of fellow residents by a person in Ard Greine Court and the Sean O’Hare Unit in Stranorlar.

The latest concern relates what HIQA noted as “a very serious incident” which is believed to relate to a resident viewing material of child sexual exploitation online.

Deputy Doherty says services need to be fit for purpose:

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