Galway Bay fm - News

Hildegarde Naughton on site at EP to oversee HSE harm reduction services for drug use

Galway West TD, and Chief Whip Hildegarde Naughton will be on site at Electric Picnic today to oversee the HSE's harm reduction services for drug use.
The safer nightlife programme is encouraging festival-goers to surrender drugs anonymously to drug bins provided on site.
The programme aims to reduce the risks associated with drug use at concerts and festivals.
Minister for Public Health and the National Drug Strategy Hildegarde Naughton says she will be on site with volunteers to give advice.
 

Report calls for community-owned hotel to be established in Mountbellew

A new report is to be launched in Mountbellew tonight, which proposes a community-owned hotel be established in the town. 
It's one of the key proposals in the "The People’s Transition Mountbellew" report produced by the economic and social think-tank, TASC. 
A key focus is driving increased tourism, and it also calls for a range of other initiatives. 
They include improved public transport, the development of hydroelectric facilities on the Castlegar river, and further development of the ATU Mountbellew Campus
The report will be launched at The Malthouse in Mountbellew this evening at 8pm. 
Author Kieran Harrahill says the community-owned hotel is a viable proposal and funding is available. 

City event to mark first anniversary of the death of playwright Patricia Burke Brogan

An event to mark the first anniversary of the death of renowned Galway writer Patricia Burke Brogan is to be held on Sunday. 
She's best known for her play 'Eclipsed' which exposed the inhumane treatment of women in the Magdalene Laundries.
The free event to remember the playwright, poet, novelist and artist will be held in Áras na nGael on Dominick St at 7:30pm on Sunday.
One of the organisers, Imelda Brophy, outlines what the commemoration will involve 

County Council locked in talks to take ownership of Dunguaire Castle

Staffing and access to services highlighted as main challenges for Galway CAHMS

Low levels of staffing and access to services are the main challenges facing CAHMS in the West.
The Mental Health Commission report into Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services examined 9 HSE community healthcare settings.
While there are issues with staff retention, the report states there is a highly skilled workforce across Galway, Roscommon and Mayo.
It also found the teams had good processes in monitoring medication - and the Mayo CAHMS team is benefitting from being under the governance of the Galway Roscommon structure.
CEO of the Mental Health Commission, John Farrelly, has acknowledged the challenge but he believes CAMHS can be turned around. 

City Vintners chair ”worried” about winter period as VAT rate to increase

The chair of Galway City Vintners says she's very worried about the return of the VAT rate to 13.5 percent. 
The rate had been lowered to 9 percent due to COVID - and an extension was later granted - but it returns to the original rate tonight. 
Finance Minister Michael McGrath is facing calls to reconsider the increase by various organisations across the country.  
Owner of Murty Rabbitts and city Vintners chair, Adrianne Hanley, spoke to Galway Talks. 
She said they're very worried about the winter period as tourist numbers start to drop off. 

Galway researchers pioneer ’breakthrough’ AI robotics device for personalised drug treatment

Researchers at University of Galway have pioneered new AI robotics technology which could be a breakthrough in patient treatment.
The AI-enabled soft robotic implant monitors scar tissue to self-adapt for personalised drug treatment
The Galway team have collaborated with Massachusetts Institute of Technology on the medical device technology.
The device can administer a drug - while also sensing when the body is beginning to reject it - and use AI to change its shape to maintain dosage.
Co-lead author, Dr Rachel Beatty of University of Galway explains how this treatment will be the first of it's kind

Meanwhile local Senator Aisling Dolan says the really important thing is that whatever constituency Ballinasloe belongs to, it gets strong representation.

Gerry Stronge is a local business owner - and he feels it’s the wrong call and Ballinasloe should be part of Galway East.

Leah Hogarty has been in Ballinasloe today to get some reaction from locals there.