Galway Bay fm - News

Anne Rabbitte "tried her damnedest" to secure public meeting with developer of controversial power generator in Portumna

Galway East TD and Junior Minister Anne Rabbitte says she "tried her damnedest" to secure a public meeting with the developer of a controversial power generator in Portumna. 
It's after the East Galway Gas Plant Concern Group issued an open letter last week - calling on her to step up or resign. 
It claimed she's failed to show her committment to the best interests of the local community. 
The open letter contains a number of allegations - which Minister Rabbitte has described as "disappointing" to Galway Talks. 
Fianna Fail Minister Rabbitte addressed each claim with John Morley - and you can listen back on the Galway Bay FM website. 
But Minister Rabbitte told John she did everything she could to secure a public meeting with the developer.

Plans progress to develop water quality community forum in Galway

The Local Authority Waters Programme, known as LAWPRO is linking up with the Galway Bay Southeast catchment area of Galway and Clare to improve water quality. 
LAWPRO is a national shared service working on behalf of all the local authorities to achieve good water quality.
A workshop held in Loughrea recently progressed the idea of developing a water quality community forum in Galway.
This would be part of a wider initiative nationally to develop public participation in the next River Basin Management plan. 
LAWPRO Western Senior Community Water Officer Luke Drea strsses the importance of clean water for human health:

ATU Galway to host special dogwalking event in aid of animal rescues across West

Gardaí say Galway's third-level students need to be more aware of accommodation scams

Gardaí say Galway's third-level students need to be more aware of accommodation scams.
Students are being warned to watch out for accommodation fraud in the build up to the new academic year as one third of such scams occur during August and September.
Earlier this week the University of Galway Students Union President Faye Ni Dhomhnaill told FYI Galway international students, booking their accommodation remotely, need to be particularly vigilant.
Signs of a potential rental scam include a landlord who claims to be out of the country, so can't meet the renter in person and the request for a deposit payment before a viewing. 
Detective Superintendent Michael Cryan says people need to be very wary.

Local Senator insists Government will continue to support once-off rural housing

Once-off rural housing developments will continue to be supported by the Government. 
That's according to local Fianna Fáil Senator Ollie Crowe. 
Last year an expert panel called on the Government to place restrictions on once-off rural housing. 
Senator Crowe argues the newest National Planning Framework does not contain major changes on rural housing.
He claims once-off housing is vital for rural communities to thrive.

VHI to open a 360 Health Centre facility in Galway city

VHI Health and Wellbeing services is to open a 360 Health Centre facility in Galway city.
It will be located at the currently facility on the Headford road, which will be expanded to house the new services.
The new centre will include an urgent care to treat minor illnesses and will include new diagnostics such as X-ray.
The refurbished centre will open in the early months of next year for VHI members.
VHI Chief Operations Officer Michelle Tait speaks about the new development:

Fake or Fact – You Decide: Episode 5

This evening, we'll be exploring satire and its role in Irish media.
 
And we'll bring you some familiar satirical sketches from broadcasters in the 1970s right through to today's TikTokers!
 
Join the team from 6pm this evening.

Galway city councillor demands higher standards as homeless family offered uninhabitable room

Galway city Councillor Helen Ogbu is urging higher standards in private emergency accomodation
Her call comes as a family who recently became homeless was offered an uninhabitable room
It was crawling with insects, had broken furniture and had only a microwave for cooking
According to Councillor Ogbu the accommodation provider told the family to be grateful for the offer and the room was the standard
Labour Councillor Ogbu says it's "disregard for human beings":

SU President at UG says scams rife as Gardaí warn over increasingly sophisticated efforts targeting students

If it's too good to be true - it's probably a scam. 
That's the message from the Students Union President at University of Galway, as Gardaí are warning of advanced rental scams. 
Students may now be shown AI generated photos, sent fake contracts or even fake keys, to make a scam appear more convincing.  David Nevin has been speaking to the SU President Faye Ni Dhomhnaill about the pressure students are under. 

Number of vacant homes in Galway still 50% higher than national average

The number of vacant homes across Galway is still almost 50% higher than the national average. 
That's according to the latest Residential Buildings Report from database firm GeoDirectory. 
The residential vacancy rate in Galway for Q2 of this year was 5.5 percent - compared to a national average of 3.9 percent. 
The lowest vacancy rate in the country is Dublin at 1.3 percent - while the highest is Leitrim at 12 percent. 
CEO of GeoDirectory Dara Keogh says there is a big difference between the east and west of the country: