Galway Bay fm - News

Calls for the Galway public to protect newborn seal pups

Seal Rescue Ireland is issuing a Common Seal Pupping Alert for beaches across the west coast
The counties most affected are Galway, Clare, Mayo, Sligo and Donegal
The aim is to protect newborn seals and reduce the number of pups orphaned each year.
If you think a seal is injured, orphaned or in trouble,
Natalie Barry, Animal Care Manager at Seal Rescue Ireland, explains what to do if you see a seal which may be injured, orphaned or in trouble
The 24-hour helpline is 087 195 5393.

Major changes to social housing allocation rules in Galway

Galway County Council has introduced major changes to how social housing is allocated. 
The move aims to better use the supply of housing stock available to the local authority, to tackle huge waiting lists. 
The changes will increase demand for 3 bed units and reduce demand for single and two-bed units, which previously accounted for the majority of demand.
The changes only apply to Galway County Council, and have no bearing on allocation policies at Galway City Council. 
Councillor Shelly Herterich-Quinn says the county changes are very welcome - as the council has very low stocks of single and two-bed units. 

Opposition to proposal to ban smoking in outdoor dining areas across Galway

A proposal is being considered to ban smoking in designated outdoor dining areas across Galway. 
The ban would apply to bars and restaurants in towns and villages given a license by Galway County Council, to use public spaces such as footpaths. 
It would not apply to outdoor dining areas located on private property. 
But the idea received strong push-back from several councillors at a meeting at County Hall this week. 
Councillor Declan Geraghty says it's a ludicrious suggestion and could be the "nail in the coffin" for many small businesses. 

Galway VFI Chair praises ’no nonsense’ initiative to tackle drug use in pubs

Catherine Connolly says Ireland has ”long way” to go on true LGBT+ equality

Galway West TD Catherine Connolly says we still have a long way to go as a country to ensure full equality for members of the LGBT+ community. 
Speaking during a Dáil debate, she said there's still an environment of "othering" people who are different and treating them in a discriminatory way. 
She acknowledged that the Government is currently advancing a range of legislation to ensure greater protection. 
That includes legislation to ban conversion therapy, which is currently legal. 
Deputy Connolly said the practice should be absolutely "repugnant" to any civilised person. 

A quarter of Galway people believe AI will impact or replace their jobs

Additional County Council ground staff allocated to Headford

Galway ranked the cleanest city alongside Waterford in IBAL survey

Galway City and Waterford are the cleanest cities in Ireland according to the Irish Business Against Litter Survey.
The IBAL survey revealed Ballybane was the poorest area of Galway city but had improved from ‘littered’ to ‘moderately littered’ since the last survey
Other areas which need improvement are Merlin Park Hospital, Lough Atalia Avenue, Eyre Square and the residential area of Gaelcarraig Park
While it recommended University Hospital Galway addresses the cigarette butt issue around its grounds.
IBAL spokesperson Conor Horgan has more on the national picture:

Galway City house prices drop but county prices increase in past year

House prices in Galway city have dropped, however the county saw an increase in the past year.
In Galway City, prices are 2% lower than a year previously - the average price of a home is now €345,000. 
While outside the city, prices are 1% higher at an average of €265,000
The Daft.ie report found nationally prices are 0.5 percent cheaper than last year, while there also are more homes up for sale 
Author of the report Ronan Lyons says we're seeing something of a seesaw effect.

Galway Deputy insists that the Government needs to encourage rural planning

A Galway East Independent Deputy has called on the Government to set planning guidelines for people who wish to build homes in rural areas.
Deputy Sean Canney says that planning guidelines at present are very restrictive and young people are being denied the opportunity to build a home.
According to Deputy Canney, existing guidelines that are in place since 2005 have proven to be very restrictive with areas under urban influence being most restricted.
Speaking this morning, Deputy Canney said that in a time of a housing crisis, it was imperative that people who want to build their own houses be allowed to do so.