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Public invited to Pension Promise Campaign meeting in Galway City next Monday

Members of the public are being encouraged to attend a 'Pension Promise' Campaign meeting in the city next Monday
The group is asking the Government to honour its commitment to a State pension rate of 34% of average earnings.
The event at the Galmont Hotel from 11AM next Monday will host speakers and open the floor to questions.
Niamh Kavanagh of the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament explains what people can expect on the day:

Leisureland 50th anniversary to be marked by public engagement to reimagine facility

Grealish says work permit system needs urgent changes as businesses struggle

Businesses across Galway are struggling to recruit staff, and the Government needs to urgently make changes to the work permit system. 
That's according to Galway West Deputy Noel Grealish, who says businesses across all sectors are facing enormous challenges. 
He told the Dáil it ranges from small restaurants and coffee shops, to healthcare services and the construction trade. 
Deputy Grealish said there's a major problem in the work permit system for people outside the EU and it needs to be addressed. 
 

160 jobs boost for Galway with €5.5m investment in Hewlitt Packard

Almost 160 jobs are set to be created in Galway, as Cabinet approve a €5.5m investment in Hewlitt Packard.
Based in Ballybrit, the company will use the IDA Grant-Aid for Research, Development and Innovation projects.
It's expected the funding will result in 156 new positions along with a spend of €1m on Irish based materials and services.
Galway West TD Hildegarde Naughton says the investment demonstrates Hewlitt Packard's positive contribution to the West of Ireland.

Call for action from Uisce Eireann over repeated costly damage caused by burst pipes in Tuam

There is a strong call for Uisce Eireann to address the issue of burst water pipes in Tuam, with councillors claiming its regularly causing costly infrastructural damage.
A water pipe burst yesterday around Caltra Cross, resulting in flooding along the main road between Tuam and Caherlistrane
Councillor Andrew Reddington estimates there's been 10 severe leaks in the area since 2019, each costing around €50,000 for road repairs.
Councillor Reddington, alongside councillor Donagh Killilea, sent a motion to Irish Water in 2020 over the issue, but say they have not received a response.
However, councillor Reddington says something needs to be done before an accident occurs:

Galway Arts Festival Box Office opens in Eyre Square

Beloved Galway city school warden retires after 32 years of service

Galway Chamber targets 3,000 new housing units per year to meet population demands

The Galway Chamber says 3,000 housing units must be constructed to meet population demands aross the county.
The target was set out this morning by industry and business experts at a meeting on housing issues.
1,334 houses were built across the county last year - and businesses say the lack of accommodation is impacting their ability to hire new staff.
Galway Chamber CEO Kenny Deery spoke to our reporter Joseph Murray about the findings.

HSE to ”revisit” decision on Seven Springs Day Centre in Loughrea

The HSE is to "revisit" the controversial decision to stop using the Seven Springs Day Centre in Loughrea. 
The situation prompted a local campaign which held numerous protests and drew thousands of local signatures in a petition. 
Their issue is that the HSE is discontinuing use of the purpose built day centre, and replacing it with an allegedly inferior building at St. Brendans' CNU. 
But the HSE had argued that the space had to be integrated into the unit to provide more space to meet with health regulations. 
At last night's meeting of the Health Forum West, a commitment was given to Councillors Donagh Killilea, Evelyn Parsons and Liam Carroll that the HSE will review the entire situation. 
Councillor and County Cathaoirleach, Liam Carroll, says the committment is a welcome one. 

Galway medical ethics expert says the basis on giving consent to assisted dying can be measured in several ways

A Galway medical ethics expert says the basis on how someone can give consent to assisted dying can be measured in a number of ways
The matter was discussed at Oireachtas Committee meeting today where it was stated that complex issues around a person's capacity and consent to assisted dying must be considered carefully in legislation.
It's to consider recommendations for policy change relating to a statutory right to assist a person to end their life.
Lecturer in Medical Ethics at the University of Galway, Dr Louise Campbell explains