Galway Bay fm - News

Department of Education confirms additional classrooms for Clarin College Athenry

Hilda O'Grady

Leo Finnegan Williamstown

Hopespace Chairperson Kathleen Hartnett and Coordinator Aine Deely

Galway City Councillor slams outgoing government on failure to deliver affordable homes for the people of the city

A Galway City Councillor has slammed the government for what he has called their inadequate response to the social and affordable housing crisis.
Councillor Mike Cubbard said that as the city and county face a General Election, one lasting legacy of the outgoing Government has been its failure to deliver affordable homes for the people of Galway.
Recent figures have shown that Galway City has only seen 117 council houses allocated in the first nine months of 2024-an average of just 13 per month. Meanwhile, 23 vacant 'void' properties remain unoccupied because there is no funding available for essential repairs.
Councillor Cubbard added that the number of homeless families in Galway increased from 76 to 87 in the last three months while the number of children experiencing homelessness has risen from 149 to 155. A statistic that he said was stark.
Councillor Cubbard was speaking to John Mulligan

OPW urged by Minister for Disability to expand public access to Portumna’s Dowager House

There are calls for the OPW to expand public access to Portumna's Dowager House.
Minister for Disability and Galway East TD Anne Rabbitte, has written to Minister Kieran O’Donnell TD on the matter.
The call comes following the successful opening of the house during the recent Shorelines Arts Festival in the town.
The Fianna Fáil TD says that proves there is significant public interest in engaging with this heritage site.

Galway home and landowners advised that overhanging trees on roads are their responsibility

Galway County Council officials have issued a warning that trees overhanging on to public roads are the responsibility of the home or landowner
Councillor Andrew Reddington advised property owners to ensure their insurance policy protects them in the case of incidents involving trees that overhang public thoroughfares.
The issue was raised by Councillor Mary Hoade who expressed her shock and concern at the information she received as she feels that with the increasing number of storms, it's a growing problem.

Taoiseach to visit County Galway this afternoon

An Taoiseach Simon Harris will be in Galway this afternoon where he will attend various events in Portumna, Loughrea and Tuam.
Cathaoirleach of Tuam Municipal District, and general election candidate, Cllr Pete Roche will officially welcome the Taoiseach when he visits the town at approximately 4pm.
Cllr Roche said he is looking forward to welcoming the Taoiseach to North Galway and said that he recognised the Taoiseach's commitment to local communities in Simon Harris' first official visit as Taoiseach to Tuam.
Councillor Roche told Galway Bay FM News that the visit was a resounding show of support for East Galway.

Protest outside Tuam Primary Care Centre over HSE Pay and Numbers Strategy

A protest was held outside Tuam Primary Care Centre this afternoon - voicing opposition to the HSE's "Pay and Numbers Strategy".
The strategy replaces a controversial recruitment embargo introduced last November - but has proved equally as controversial, amid claims it's putting patients and services at risk.
And SIPTU health workers this afternoon came out in force to highlight the detrimental impact they claim it'll have on services and healthcare.
And our reporter Chloe Nolan was there.

Councillors explain voting yes or no on increase to local property tax

Local Property tax in Galway City is set to increase by 15 per cent following a contested vote at City Hall last night.
It's the first time LPT has been increased since 2013 - and it's predicted to generate an additional €7m over the next five years.
It came down to a razor's edge - with 9 councillors supporting the increase, and 9 opposed, so Mayor Peter Keane held the casting vote.
Fifteen councillors who spoke at last evening's meeting spoke to David Nevin to explain why they voted yes or no.