Galway Bay fm - News

Eamon O Cuiv brands update to the National Islands Plan a ’copy and paste’ of existing policies

Housing Minister approves funding for 147 affordable homes incity and Claregalway

The Housing Minister has approved funding of €11m to deliver 147 affordable homes in Galway. 
85 homes will be delivered through a project at Merlin Woods in the city, set to be delivered across this year and 2024. 
It'll be the first affordable purchase scheme advanced in Galway City under the Government's Housing for All action plan. 
A further 62 affordable homes will be delivered at Lakeview, Claregalway in 2025. 
Galway West TD Eamon O' Cuiv is hopeful this is just the beginning of regular announcements for affordable homes. 

Plans to raise road tolls next month criticised as N6 Ballinasloe to rise by 10 cent

Car drivers and motorcyclists passing through the N6 Ballinasloe toll will be hit with a 10 cent rise next month.
Bus drivers meanwhile are facing a 30 cent rise  on that route, while nine other roads are also increasing from July 1st.
The hikes had been due to take effect in January, but were pushed out by six months because of the cost-of-living crisis. 
However Sinn Fein's spokesperson on Transport Martin Kenny says the timing is still not right. 

Minister says ”no question” Loughrea bus service must be examined

A Cabinet Minister has accepted there is "no question" that the lack of bus services to Loughrea must be examined. 
Minister Darragh O Brien was responding to a question from Galway East Deputy Ciaran Cannon, who said the situation is unacceptable. 
He argued it's just 30 minutes from Galway City and has a population of 6 thousand - but there's no service after 6.30pm. 

Cabinet Minister admits delays to Galway Housing Taskforce report ”unusual”

A Cabinet Minister has admitted that major delays to a report from the Galway Housing Taskforce are "unusual". 
The matter was raised in the Dáil by Galway West TD Catherine Connolly.
She pointed out there's not been one single report produced since the taskforce was set up by Government in 2019 to analyze the local housing crisis. 
Speaking in response, Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohue wasn't aware of the specifics - but admitted it is unusual. 

Local TD urges Taoiseach to intervene in retained firefighter crisis

Local TD Claire Kerrane is urging the Taoiseach to intervene in the retained fire service crisis as industrial action is underway.
SIPTU says local authorities have failed to address the recruitment and retention crisis in the brigade.
From this morning, firefighters won't be attending training drills or testing their life saving equipment like breathing apparatus.
Retained fire-fighters are paid a base allowance and are on call 24/7 for most of the year, but typically work another full-time job
Sinn Fein TD Claire Kerrane says the Government was made aware last year that the service was on the brink of collapse. 

Government urged to solve paradox of full Galway school buses with empty seats

Galway East TD Sean Canney is urging the Government to solve the paradox of full school buses with empty seats. 
He says countless seats that have been claimed under the free transport scheme are not being used in practice. 
He argues this is leading to an absurd situation where parents are renting private buses, or following the school bus, while seats are empty. 
Deputy Canney says it was a late, badly thought out measure that's seriously impacting on parents living in rural areas. 
And he's asking that some common sense is applied for the next school term. 

Galway Tidy Towns asking businesses to adopt a spot under a new initiative.

Galway Businesses are being asked to Adopt A Spot under a new initiative that will be launched tomorrow afternoon.
The launch will take place in Easons in Shop Street at 2pm.
Galway Tidy Towns is asking businesses to look after the front of their premises and the City Council will do the rest.
Galway City Tidy Towns Chairperson Niall McNelis explains…

Free event in city to showcase how to recycle food waste

Galway County council is hosting a free event in the city tomorrow to help people understand how to recycle food waste
The educational event is open to all and will be held on Shop Street from 11am to 4pm 
It's being held in conjunction with National Food Waste Recycling Week, which runs until Friday.
Pauline McDonagh, Circular Economy Co-ordinator of the Southern Waste Region outlines what will be involved
 

Over 33,000 families in Galway are to benefit from a €100 increase in Child Benefit payments this week.

Over 33,000 families in Galway city and county are to benefit from a €100 increase in Child Benefit payments this week.
The additional €100 per child in payments as announced by Minister Heather Humphries will be paid tomorrow to assist families with the Cost of Living.
This means that €240 will be paid per child.
This announcement by the minister has been welcomed by Ballinasloe Senator Aisling Dolan who says that this can be a difficult time of the year for parents.