Galway Bay fm - News

Galway Based Company Wins €3 Million Euro Funding to develop material for use in artificial lung devices

A company based in the IHUB Campus, GMIT has won €3m in funding through the "EIC Pathfinder program" to develop the world’s first nanomaterial "nanocellulose" for use in artificial lung devices as a bridge to lung transplantation.
The consortium, led by "Smart Reactors based in the "ATU Innovation Hubs in Galway will be working alongside the University of Galway, The University of Tubingen in Germany, Celllink in Sweden and Brunel University in London.
Brian Haddigan is the CEO of Smart Reactors and he explained first about the work that the company has done and what this innovation will entail.

Additional funding secured for the Shannon Banks accessible walkway

It has been confirmed to Galway Bay FM News that additional funding has been secured for the Shannon Banks accessible Walk Way in Portumna.
Deputy Anne Rabbitte confirmed that an additional €160,000 euro of funding was secured on Friday last following a meeting with Waterways Ireland.
Speaking this evening, Deputy Rabbitte said that this will lead to access to the Shannon Banks walkway in Portumna and will see the completion of phase one and phase two of the project.

People in Galway encouraged to have conversations about palliative care following the launch of Palliative Care Week

The All-Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care are encouraging the people of Galway to have conversations about Palliative Care following the launch today of Palliative Care Week which will take place from September the 10th to the 16th.
The theme of the week this year is "Palliative Care: Living for today, planning for tomorrow" and will aim to educate people across the island of Ireland about the positive impact that palliative care can have on the quality of life and to encourage them to learn more about the services available, should they need them in the future.
Fintan Fagan is the Chief Executive Officer of St Francis Hospice, Dublin and the Chair of All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care.
Fintan spoke to John Mulligan.

Disability-friendly picnic benches secured for Portumna under regeneration plan

Disability-friendly picnic benches have been secured for Portumna under a major regeneration project. 
As part of the Public Realm Enhancement Plan, accessible seating will be installed in the town. 
Advocates Peter Gohery, from Eyrecourt, and Martyn Moran, from Loughrea, worked with Councillor Declan Kelly to make it a reality. 
Peter says it's vital our towns and villages are welcoming and accessible to all: 

Éamon Ó Cuív says there are measures the government can introduce to help alleviate medical staff shortages in Connemara

In a day long visit which ended late last evening Minister for Older People Mary Butler covered the territory from Clonbur to Cornamona, and from Clifden to an Cheathrua Rua.
She praised the community efforts evident in many places, but she was also confronted with an uncomfortable reality.
The Clifden District Hospital and the St Anne’s Community Nursing Home in the town and the Áras Mhic Dara Home in an Cheathrua Rua are very short of staff, which limits the number of residents that can be taken in.
Galway West Fianna Fáil Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív accompanied Minister Butler
Our on-location reporter, Máirtín Ó Catháin asked Deputy O Cuiv how this major challenge can be tackled in the Connemara region

University of Galway law lecturer says Trump’s legal case appears to be moving quickly

University of Galway law lecturer Larry Donnelly says Trump's legal case appears to be moving quickly
Donald Trump says his latest court appearance is a 'very sad day for America' - after pleading not guilty to trying to overturn the 2020 election result.
The former US President's four charges are the most serious he's facing out of three further indictments.
Larry Donnelly says it appears this case has been put on a fast track

Mary Butler on new CNU for Clifden

Clifden District Hospital and the St Anne’s Community Nursing Home in the town are also seriously short of staff which limits the number of residents that can be taken in. 
On a positive note Minister Butler has announced the approval of 35.3 million Euro for the delivery of a new Community Nursing Unit in Clifden
A new HSE Community Nursing Unit will amalgamate with the residential services currently provided in Clifden District Hospital and St. Anne’s CNU
Minister Butler is hopeful the project will move quickly

Minister Butler gives commitment Carraroe Day Centre will re-open next month

Minister for Older People Mary Butler has given a commitment that Carraroe Day Centre will re-open next month
The controversial local issue took up a large portion of Minister Butler’s schedule in an Cheathrua Rua last evening. 
She attended a meeting about the Day Centre in Aras Mhic Dara which has not re-opened since the Covid lockdown.
Following the meeting Galway West TD Eamon O'Cuiv told our reporter Máirtín O Catháin that September is the new date
Deputy O Cuiv also said the bigger point of discussion, concerning Connemara in general, is where to put nursing resources

Four future migrant leaders from Galway graduate from tailored political and leadership programmes

Four future migrant leaders from Galway have graduated from political and leadership programmes, at a ceremony run by the  Immigrant Council of Ireland
Graduating from the Migrant Leadership Academy are: Ukrainian Kyrylo Popovych based Oranmore, Ukrainian Olena Domina based in Salthill and Pakistani Sanober Jaffry based in Barna
Sinéad Gibney, Chief Commissioner at the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission delivered the keynote address at the graduation ceremony in the EPIC Museum in Dublin
Tsitsi Kutamahufa from Galway city, graduated from the Migrant Councillor Internship scheme and hopes to run in the city council elections at some stage in the future.
Tsitsi recognises the importance that this programme has on migrants lives, she explains some things she has learned:

Minister says new Community Nursing Unit in Clifden will progress quickly after funding approval

Minister Mary Butler says she expects the new Community Nursing Unit in Clifden to progress very quickly.
The Minister for Older People visited a number of facilities across Connemara today including St Annes Nursing Home, Clifden Hospital and Áras Mhic Dara in An Cheathrú Rua
From Clifden, Minister Butler confirmed the HSE has received approval of funding for the new 40-bed unit as part of its Capital Programme for 2023
Speaking to our reporter Mairtín Ó Catháin, Minister Butler says its an important service for the area: