Galway Bay fm - News

Michael Burke pays tribute to staff working at the Loughrea facility

Michael Burke predicts "bright" future for Chanelle as Loughrea firm sold to equity firm

Pupils at St. Annin’s in Roscahill mark Safer Internet Day

Today, schools all around Galway and beyond have been marking Safer Internet Day with activities, projects and talks. 
The global event is celebrating 21 years of promoting online safety with student-led events to discuss this year’s theme "Tech in our World" 
Fourth class pupils at St. Annin’s National School in Roscahill got creative with a Treasure Hunt geared toward learning more about the internet, and how to stay safe online. 
Our reporter Sarah Slevin visited the pupils in St Annin’s, to talk to them about what they have been up to, and what they have learned: 

HSE Action Plan proving successful as UHG offers weekend cardiology appointments

Measures implemented under the HSE's Waiting List Action Plan are proving successful at UHG as cardiology patients can now avail of Saturday appointments
Galway/Roscommon TD Denis Naughten is praising the Saolta Hospital Group for addressing the outpatient waiting times with the new plan
He says it will help work through the backlog, with over 2,600 people waiting for a cardiac appointment at UHG
Deputy Naughten says the success of the initiative shows it could be rolled out in other hospital services:

Galway Cathedral 40th Annual Novena is underway with a message of hope

The Annual Galway Cathedral Novena, which celebrates its 40th year, has begun. 
The Novena, an annual nine-day Festival of Faith, will run until Tuesday the 13th, 
There will be three Novena sessions on weekdays at 11am, 1.10pm and 7.30pm while on Sunday, there will be four sessions at 10.30am, 12.30pm, 3pm and 6pm.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be celebrated before and after each session with the Sacrament of the Sick celebrated on Saturday 10th during the 11am Mass. 
Each weekday evening there will also be a guided, candlelit Holy Hour, at which all people of all ages and backgrounds will be made welcome.
The last Mass each day will be live-streamed on www.galwaycathedral.ie, YouTube and Facebook. 
Fr John Gerard Action told Galway Bay FM that the theme is above all, not to lose hope.

Public consultation on redevelopment of Woodquay park to take place tomorrow.

A public consultation on the redevelopment of Woodquay Park in Galway City will take place tomorrow at the Galway Rowing Club.
Galway City Council will display drawings that are designed to show an accessible public greenspace with biodiversity-friendly planting, age and mobility-friendly pathways and spaces for play and for rest.
City Centre Councillor Michael Crowe recently demanded progress on the park and the nearby plots around Woodquay. An area he branded one of the most neglected green areas in the entire city.
He welcomed the announcement when speaking to Galway Bay FM News this afternoon.

University of Galway SU reveals series of events for Consent Week

University of Galway's Students' Union has revealed its series of events planned for Consent Week, which starts tomorrow.
The Active Consent workshop will be looking at Digital Intimacy, to empower students and provide knowledge on the challenges the digital world poses.
While the Galway Rape Crisis Centre will host training to help students gain an understanding of how to deal with disclosures of sexual violence.
SU President Dean Kenny says the week is hugely valuable to the college community

Dáil hears housing adaptation grants not covering cost of works at in Galway homes

Many households in Galway who qualify for the housing adaptation grant are discovering it falls far short of covering the cost of works.
That's according to Galway East TD Sean Canney, who acknowledges a review is under way of the whole programme.
The scheme provides funding for older people and people with a disability, to ensure their home is suitable for their use.
But Deputy Canney argues the review is going on for a while - and in the meantime, many people who desperately need works done are suffering.

Movement on long-running saga to build pedestrian footbridge in Oughterard

There's movement on a long-running saga to build a pedestrian footbridge in Oughterard. 
Consultants have now been appointed to the project, and will lead it through to planning stage. 
Locals have sought the footbridge as a solution to safety hazards posed to pedestrians over the existing narrow road bridge through the town. 
But the project has encountered enormous difficulties in the past, including environmental concerns. 
Local Councillor Tom Welby has been speaking to David Nevin about the need to get this right the first time. 

Health services in West preparing for busy bank holiday weekend

Health services in the West are reminding patients of their healthcare options ahead of what's expected to be a busy bank holiday weekend.
Saolta, Community Healthcare West and the HSE have issued a joint statement, to warn patients to expect delays into next week
People are being asked to go to their GP or pharmacy for non-emergencies, while Westdoc will be open for urgent GP appointments all weekend.
Neil Hyland, Specialist Registrar in Public Health Medicine, based at Merlin Park, has this advice for patients: