Galway Bay fm - News

Councillor sends stern warning to NTA ahead of meeting on public transport issues across Galway

A local councillor is sending a stern warning to the NTA ahead of a meeting on public transport issues across Galway.
It was confirmed at County Hall this week that the National Transport Authority will attend a meeting in the coming months.
But Loughrea Fine Gael Councillor Michael Moegie Maher warned they better be coming with concrete solutions, and not just an open ear.
He claims they've been made well aware of the various issues in areas like Loughrea and Ballinasloe.

Over 1,700 Galway businesses upskilled through Skillnet Ireland last year

Over 1,700 Galway businesses upskilled through Skillnet Ireland last year. 
Skillnet Ireland is a national talent development agency and offers skills programmes and business supports to companies of all sizes. 
The vast majority of the businesses in Galway who availed of their services last year were small and medium enterprises. 
The Skillnet Ireland Annual Report for 2023 also shows that it delivered 50 thousand training days across Galway. 
Director of Business for Skillnet Ireland Dave Flynn says the growth in Galway was far above the national average.

O' Cuiv says desire for more family time behind decision to step back from politics

Galway West TD Eamon O' Cuiv says a desire for more family time was a major factor in his decision not to contest the upcoming General Election. 
The Fianna Fail veteran was first elected in 1992 - and has been returned every time since, topping the poll in 2002, 2007, 2011, 2016 and 2020. 
Speaking to John Morley, he said it's been a privilege, an honor, and immensely rewarding to serve Galway West for three decades.
But he said it's a very demanding role - and now is the right time to focus on spending more time with family. 

Fears over future of post office in Oughterard put to bed with announcement of new operator

Fears over the future of the post office in Oughterard have been put to bed with the announcement of a new operator.
An Post have announced that Keogh’s Centra will take over the running of the service from September. 
There had been local concerns the service would be shut down, following the retirement of the postmistress. 
Galway West Independent TD Noel Grealish says it's excellent news - as the loss of a post office can be devastating for an area. 

Councillor "shocked" as considerable number of spoiled votes in local elections down to staff error

A councillor says she's "shocked" over the revelation that a considerable number of spoiled votes in the recent local elections were actually down to staff errors. 
Councillor Geraldine Donohue raised the issue at a meeting at County Hall this week.
She said she had learned that in her own area of Gort/Kinvara, almost a third of the 101 spoiled votes were as a result of polling station staff not stamping the ballot paper. 
The Independent councillor said it's a very serious problem when people take the time to vote correctly, only for their voice to end up in the proverbial bin. 
Councillor Donohue told David Nevin a few mistakes are understandable - but there's no excuse for dozens of errors. 

Claims small businesses across county under pressure due to increasing "thieving and pilfering"

Smaller businesses across the county are being placed under unsustainable pressure by increasing levels of "thieving and pilfering". 
That was the opinion of Councillor Declan Geraghty at a meeting of County Hall this week. 
He said he fully accepts that it's not something Galway County Council has responsibility for - but felt it has to be talked about somewhere. 
He referenced one supermarket in his own area that is recording a loss of almost €1 thousand a week due to theft. 
Independent Ireland Councillor Geraghty says it really seems to be getting out of hand over the last two years. 

Councillor Gerry Finnerty says his genuine concern is that Gort doesn't have the services or facilities for more people.

A public meeting held in Gort on plans to house refugees at a vacant building in the town descended into chaos and abuse. 
It's as work is being carried out in recent days at an unoccupied commercial and residential unit at The Grove at Crowe Street. 
Locals are unhappy that they weren't consulted on the move - or told who would be accommodated there. 
It's since been confirmed that if approved, the building would be used strictly for Ukrainian refugees for a period of two years. 
The meeting held at Sullivans last night had to be ultimately abandoned due to an element of confrontation and abuse. 

Minister Anne Rabbitte says the break-down happened around an hour into the meeting.

A public meeting held in Gort on plans to house refugees at a vacant building in the town descended into chaos and abuse. 
It's as work is being carried out in recent days at an unoccupied commercial and residential unit at The Grove at Crowe Street. 
Locals are unhappy that they weren't consulted on the move - or told who would be accommodated there. 
It's since been confirmed that if approved, the building would be used strictly for Ukrainian refugees for a period of two years. 
The meeting held at Sullivans last night had to be ultimately abandoned due to an element of confrontation and abuse. 
Minister Anne Rabbitte told Galway Talks the break-down happened around an hour into the meeting. 

50 percent increase in cancellation of day cases at UHG over past year

There's been a 50 percent increase in the cancellation of day cases at UHG over the past year. 
That's according to figures revealed at the HSE Health Forum West to Councillor John Connolly. 
They show that 664 day cases were postponed in quarter one of 2023 - and that figure rose to almost 1,000 in the first quarter of this year. 
It comes as UHG has experienced what it refers to as "sustained periods of escalation" in both years. 
Fianna Fail Councillor Connolly says capacity is being stretched to the limit - but a planned surgical hub at Merlin Park should relieve some of the pressure. 

Demand for action as just three properties officially listed as derelict across county

Just three properties in County Galway are officially listed as derelict. 
That's according to Athenry/Oranmore Councillor Louis O' Hara, who's pleaded for stronger action at a meeting at County Hall this week. 
The local authority maintains a register of derelict properties and can take action to seek improvement, including fines. 
But Sinn Fein Councillor O' Hara says with three properties listed, it's not remotely reflective of reality.