Galway Bay fm - News

Local TD criticises delay in opening day centre service at new CNU in Tuam

Galway East TD Sean Canney is critical of the delay in opening the day centre service at Tuam's new Community Nursing Unit.
A handful of residents from the Arus Mhuire Community Nursing Home have relocated to the new Joe and Helen O Toole Unit this week.
However, the Independent TD is concerned that the day service has not yet opened, and is calling on the HSE to deliver all the services as soon as possible.
He says time and time again, these vital facilities are getting delayed and that needs to change:

Collection of photographs published documenting the history of University of Galway

Taxi numbers in Galway decline by 5 percent in past five years

City Councillor to meet with Sport Minister over €1m development plans for Salthill Knocknacarra GAA

Frustration over strategy for completion of Athlone to Galway Greenway

There is frustration over the new proposed strategy for the delivery of the Athlone to Galway Greenway.
The strategy would see Galway with one set of consultants responsible for Galway to Portumna, while Westmeath County Council will have another set of consultants responsible for Portumna to Athlone. 
Gort-Kivara Councillor Joe Byrne is calling for a detailed report on the new strategy from the Director of Roads in Galway. 
He says it shows a lack of joined-up thinking between the two councils.

City-based Croí calls for national strategy to tackle cardiovascular health

City-based heart and stroke charity Croí is calling for a new national strategy to tackle cardiovascular health. 
Croí says cardiovascular disease is responsible for 40 per cent of all hospital admissions, and 75 per cent of all bed days in hospitals.
Figures also show it accounts for almost 9 thousand deaths in Ireland very year. 
But Ireland's last cardiovascaular health strategy expired in 2019, with no renewal or evaluation.  CEO Mark O’Donnell is calling on politicians to develop a new national strategy similar to the one in place for cancer.

City Council urged to be more proactive with social housing maintenance

Galway City Council is being urged to adopt a more proactive maintenance program for its housing properties. 
City councillor and former Mayor of Galway, Mike Cubbard says while the maintenance crews do trojan work, they are under constant pressure.
The Independent councillor says figures show a small minority of the 2,749 properties owned by the council had essential improvement works done last year.
Councillor Cubbard says with the high number of calls coming in, a proactive rather than a reactive method is needed:

Cancer and mortality rates highest in West and Northwest

Cancer and mortality rates are highest in the West and Northwest of the country. 
The issue is being raised by Independent TD Marian Harkin who is telling government the National Cancer Strategy needs better funding. 
It comes following the dispute of Sinn Féin's claims that 800 chemotherapy appointments for children and young people were cancelled last year. 
Children's Health Ireland says the majority of those cancellations were made for reasons including a patient being too unwell or no longer needing the treatment. 
Deputy Harkin says the regional difference is stark:

Long-awaited €1.6m Xray facility in Tuam opens

The long-awaited Xray facility at Tuam primary care centre, worth €1.64m, has opened.
Funding for the project was secured seven years ago, with works on the new diagnostics suite and audiology unit beginning in August 2023.
The Xray facility is now available by appointment only and through a referral from the GP.
Galway East TD Sean Canney says people in Tuam are finally seeing a ramping up of local healthcare facilities:

Clifden Flood Relief Scheme may not happen due to "poor economic case"

A long-awaited flood defence scheme for Clifden could be in trouble - because at the moment, it's considered a "poor economic case". 
At a meeting at County Hall this week, an engineer said it's currently falling far short of the cost-benefit ratio standards set by the OPW. 
He said they're committed to the project and will continue to work in the background to make the case as viable as possible. 
David Nevin has been speaking to Councillor Mannion.