Galway Bay fm - News

Open public viewings for new community nursing unit and Old Grove in Tuam

Galway’s JP McMahon says minimum wage increase will impact on eating out costs

Galway business man JP McMahon says many small and medium businesses feel the minimum wage increase will be "financially unsustainable" for them. 
The 12 percent increase will bring wages up to 12 euro 70 per hour, but the rise is still less than the recommended 14 euro 80 National Living Wage.
However, the Irish Small and Medium Enterprise Association says the new increase will put additional strain on businesses.
City restaurant owner, Mr McMahon, says the wage increase will impact on eating out costs.

Catherine Connolly tells Taoiseach to stop talking ”gobbledygook” over housing crisis

Galway West TD Catherine Connolly has told Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to stop talking "gobbledygook" over the housing crisis.  
She was speaking in the Dáil, where she outlined the extremely low level of social and affordable housing being built by Galway City and County Council. 
This, she claimed, is because successive Government's have continued to significantly underfund both local authorities. 
Deputy Connolly also pointed out there are no properties within HAP limits - and criticised the lack of a masterplan for the development of major lands within Galway City. 
And she wasn't convinced by Leo Varadkar's response on what the Government is doing to tackle the housing crisis. 

Councillors critical of explanation for removal of Shannon Oaks Hotel from derelict buildings register

Local councillors were left baffled this week when they heard why the Shannon Oaks Hotel in Portumna was removed from the derelict buildings register.
Galway County Council says a clean up took place and temporary fencing was put up, which led to its removal from the list, less than a year after being added to it.
The site will continue to be monitored, but councillors are not satisfied those works were enough to warrant taking it off the register.
Councillor Ivan Canning says locals are shocked by the decision, and it's imperative the hotel is not forgotten about:

University of Galway to lead research project into rare breast cancer

University of Galway is to lead an international research project into treating triple negative breast cancer.
The diagnosis affects around 10 to 15 per cent of women, but has limited treatment options.
The project is supported by a 2.7 million Horizon Grant from the European Research Executive Agency.
Leader of the project, Professor Sharon Glynn, says the grant will employ PhD students across Europe:

Future contractor for Athlone to Galway greenway warned to take heed of An Bord Pleanala decision

A warning is being sent to the future contractor of the Athlone to Galway greenway in relation to special areas of conservation.
RPS, the original tender company, stepped away from the project last month stating it was no longer financially viable due to its complexity and scale.
A new contractor is yet to be appointed, but a recent Loughrea area meeting heard that RPS may re-tender when the new contract is re-advertised.
Councillors voted in favour of a motion stating the future contractor must take heed of An Bord Pleanala's recent refusal of permission for a section of the Boyne Greenway.
Councillor Martina Kinnane explains the background to that refusal and her motion:

Two Ballinasloe secondary schools to amalgamate by September 2025

Two Ballinasloe secondary schools to amalgamate by September 2025

Two Ballinasloe secondary schools set to amalgamate by September 2025

Athenry secondary schools in need of further accommodation as demand soars

A request has been made to the Department of Education for new accommodation to be fast-tracked for secondary schools in Athenry.
Both Clarin College and Presentation College Athenry are at full capacity despite both moving into new buildings in the last three years
Open nights held at both schools recently indicate that the schools will have waiting lists, and parents may have to look at other options
Galway East Independent TD Sean Canney says he has contacted the Department