Galway Bay fm - News

An Taisce’s Ponds Project comes to Galway City

Local TD says councillors have no real power because of Government mistrust

Local TD believes Dáil protestors were seeking violent confrontation

Protestors outside Leinster House yesterday were looking to provoke a violent confrontation. 
That's the opinion of Galway East TD Ciaran Cannon, after a number of politicians required Garda escorts to leave the building.
Politicians and staff were also verbally abused throughout the day, and 13 arrests were made as a result of the demonstrations. 
The incident has been widely condemned, and security at Leinster House is to be reviewed as a result. 
Speaking to Galway Talks, Fine Gael Deputy Cannon said the protest started out "reasonably civil" earlier in the day. 

Contract signed for licence to operate Galway Bay fm for next ten years

The owners of Galway Bay fm - the Connacht Tribune Group - have been given the official go ahead to operate the radio station for the next ten years
The group was awarded the contract by the Media Commission or Coimisiún na Meán - which is the new body that replaced the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland early this year
The contract was signed by Commissioners Celene Craig and Jeremy Godfrey - and on behalf of the Connacht Tribune Group by Chairman Peter Allen and Vice-Chairman John Naughton
Conor Costello, a director of the Connacht Tribune and Company Secretary of Galway Bay fm - says they're delighted to be able to continue to provide a quality radio service to the city and county for the next ten years and beyond

Colaiste an Eachreidh students call on Galway public to enter road safety awards

Students at Coláiste an Eachreidh in Athenry are encouraging people across Galway to get involved in this year's "Leading Lights" road safety awards. 
Last year, Coláiste an Eachreidh won the secondary school category of the awards, run by the Road Safety Authority. 
They honour contributions made by individuals, organisations, communities, businesses and schools to reduce serious injuries and fatalities on our roads. 
Nominiations are now open for the 2023 Leading Lights Awards, and further information is available at RSA.ie. 
Caoimhe Killeen has been speaking to students at Coláiste an Eachreidh about their winning project last year:

Sod officially turned on new Adult Cystic Fibrosis building at Merlin Park

The sod has been officially turned on the new Adult Cystic Fibrosis building at Merlin Park Hospital.
The Adult CF Out Patient Department will be located opposite the Pulmonary Outpatient Department in Unit 8.
Construction is due to commence in October, and it's expected it will be completed by next Summer.
Our reporter Sarah Slevin spoke to those in attendance, including local CF patient, David, who officially turned the sod:

Athenry principal says teacher concerns about assessing own students Leaving Cert ”comes from good place”

Teachers reservations about assessing their own student's Leaving Cert papers always came from a good place. 
That's according to Principal of Clarin College Athenry, Daniel Hyland, as the Department has announced the plans have been suspended. 
Revised curriculums in seven subjects that were due to be introduced from 2025 will not now contain any teacher-based assessment.
A study into the impact of AI on the education system is to be carried out by the State Examinations Commission first.
Speaking to Galway Talks, Daniel Hyland said while this is only a "pause" rather than a reversal, teachers had valid concerns. 

Galway professor says AI is a significant challenges for educators

University of Galway Professor Michael Madden says artificial intelligence is a significant challenge facing educators.
He has been speaking in reaction to the suspension of plans for teacher-assessment of the Leaving Certificate - which he believes is a sensible decision.
The plans are being halted until the State Examination Commission undertakes a study into the impact of AI on the education system.
Michael Madden, Established Professor of Computer Sciences at University of Galway, spoke to John Morley about how AI can interfere in student-assessment:

Monivea to get €25,000 in flood relief funding

Monivea is to get €25,000 in flood relief funding.
The Office of Public Works is funding the works at Cahernaglass under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works Programme.
Homes in this locality are especially prone to flooding, with flood waters rising very quickly during times of heavy rain. 
Galway East Fine Gael TD Ciaran Cannon explains what the works involve.

New rents in Galway almost €300 higher than existing rents

If you are a new renter in Galway you could be paying up to €300 more than existing tenants.
An ESRI study, funded by the Residential Tenancies Board, found monthly rents for existing tenants average at €1,146.
While new tenants are paying €282 more on average at €1,428 a month.
The report's author, Dr. Rachel Slaymaker, outlines the areas with the largest difference between what new and existing tenants are paying: