Galway Bay fm - News

Groups and businesses in Ballinasloe urged to apply for Just Transition Fund

Community groups and businesses in Ballinasloe are being urged to apply for the Just Transition Fund.
Groups can put ideas forward for a portion of the €17m in EU funding, which aims to promote tourism and recreational activity.
The council and Fáilte Ireland are currently recruiting a Just Transition Tourism activator to hold a position in Ballinasloe to aid applicants.
Expressions of interest for that role are now open until the end of next June, while funding applications are open until December 21st 2024. 
Cathaoirleach Declan Geraghty says no idea is too small:

Carrabane National School given go ahead to tender new building

Calls for greater urgency with South Galway flood Relief Scheme

There are calls for greater urgency with South Galway's flood relief scheme
The project was initiated in 2016 following serious flooding and still has not reached the construction stage due to a disagreement between Galway County Council and TII over the culverts on the M18.
Sean Canney Independent TD has called on Galway County Council and the Office of Public Works to give the project urgent attention.
He says TII need to accept responsibility for designing a culvert that is too small for its function so that the work can go to tender. 
He adds that the recent devastating flooding in Cork should be a wake up call: 

Galway Simon Community supported 1,400 people last year

Galway Simon Community supported more than 1,400 people in the West last year.
Its 2022 Annual Impact Report, being launched today, states more than 800 households availed of its homelessness prevention and housing support services.
While more than 760 people engaged with its Social Integration Service, which helps those living in emergency accommodation socialise and connect with the community.
Speaking to Galway Talks, CEO Karen Golden says the homeless situation in the West could be a lot worse without their services:

Michael Fitzmaurice accuses Michael D. Higgins of ”bare faced hypocrisy” over flooding comments

Local TD Michael Fitzmaurice is accusing President Michael D. Higgins of "bare faced hypocrisy" over comments on the severe flooding in the south of the country. 
Speaking in Rome on Friday, President Higgins said that Government policy on flood defences must be improved.
But Deputy Fitzmaurice says in 1997, while then a Government Minister, Micheal D. Higgins signed the Habitats Directive into Irish Law. 
He claims it's been directly responsible for the delaying and abandoning of hundreds of critical infrastructure projects nationwide, including flood defences. 
Speaking to Galway Talks, Deputy Fitzmaurice said it's a bit rich for President Higgins to now suggest that 'Government policy' is at fault. 

Public meeting on future of Portumna’s Public Spaces to take place tomorrow

University of Galway President calls for extension of PhD stipend funding

Michael Fitzmaurice says the EU is trying to phase out traditional farming on Ireland’s marginal lands.

Galway-Roscommon TD Michael Fitzmaurice has raised concerns about the EU’s proposals to impose restrictions on farming activities.
The EU’s proposals would see farmers limit essential farming activities as a condition to apply for the single farm payment.
Fitzmaurice has urged more politicians to support the agricultural sector.
 

Andrew Reddington

Tuam Councillor Andrew Reddington has confirmed that the regular bus service from Caherlistrane to Tuam, which has been unavailable since September, will return tomorrow.
More than 50 teenagers in the Caherlistrane area have been left without a regular school bus service to Tuam with parents informed that there would be no bus service for the foreseeable future.
This led to parents having to change their work schedules to make sure their children were able to get to school.
Speaking to Galway Bay FM News, Councillor Reddington said that he has been liaising with Bus Eireann over the last number of weeks and added that a conversation must be had on a national level on this issue of the lack of driver availability.
 

Health Minister says new Emergency Department at UHG to take major step forward in coming weeks

The Health Minister has today indicated that the long-awaited new Emergency Department at UHG is to take a major step forward in the coming weeks. 
It's part of an overall new block project worth over €400m that would also house women and children's services. 
One reason given for the near-decade wait for a new emergency department is the decision to include it as part of the new block. 
Last week, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told the Dáil he was very unhappy with the pace of progress on the project. 
Speaking today, Minister Stephen Donnelly said the HSE board will make a decision on the final design in the next few weeks. 
He also gave a brief update on the new surgical hub at Merlin Park - and said he wants to see diggers on-site "very soon".