Galway Bay fm - News

Extra funding provided to ensure that the Galway Warm Home Hub continues until December

The Department of the Environment have confirmed that funding to the tune of €30,000, along with further funding of €30,000 provided by Galway City Council, will enable the continuation of the Galway Warm Home Hub until this December.
Under the EU NetZeroCities Pilot Programme, Galway City Council secured €1m in funding over a two-year period to carry out a project focusing on energy efficiency in buildings in the Westside area of their DZ through a 'Warm Home Hub'.
The Warm Home Hob operates out of the Westside Resource Centre and supports homeowners in Galway to transform their houses into sustainable, energy-efficient, healthier homes.
The announcement has been welcomed by Galway West Fianna Fail TD John Connolly who told Galway Bay FM News that it is important now to look at the operation as a whole and put it on a more permanent footing.

Call for Health Minister meeting on Portiuncula maternity services

The Health Minister is being urged to host a cross-party meeting on maternity services at Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe.
Deputy Claire Kerrane says there's a huge amount of uncertainty and fear, after high-risk pregnancies were recently transferred away from the facility.
The decision came amid a number of ongoing reviews into the deaths of several babies there, as well as serious harm to others.
Sinn Fein Deputy Kerrane says Minister Jennifer Carroll McNeill needs to host a meeting involving all local TDs, regardless of party or afilliation.

Local TD says Government must get "ambitious" about equine therapy in West

The Government must get more ambitious when it comes to equine therapy in the West of Ireland. 
That's according to Galway East TD Albert Dolan, during a Dáil discussion on the new National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People. 
The Fianna Fail TD argued the people and the facilities are there - but support is needed. 

Ballinasloe Councillor calls for measures to protect town's community amenities

Repeated vandalism at Ballinasloe's running track has prompted urgent calls from a councillor for stronger measures to protect the town's community amenities.
Independent Councillor Evelyn Parsons has urged Galway County Council to develop a business case for a dedicated caretaker or contracted security firm presence covering key public facilities across Ballinasloe including the running track, playgrounds, public toilets, and bottle and clothes banks, which are frequently abused through illegal dumping. 
Speaking yesterday, Councillor Parsons says that the track in Dunlo is a necessity for the well being and health of the community. 

Galway Deputy calls for increased pre budget funding to improve footpath infrastructure

Fine Gael TD for Galway East Pete Roche has called on the Government to increase funding for all grant schemes related to the construction, repair and upgrading of footpaths across Galway and the wider country ahead of Budget 2025.
Deputy Roche is seeking the creation of a dedicated funding category that will enable local authorities and communities to deliver projects efficiently and safely in relation to community works, including footpath improvements.
Speaking to Galway Bay FM News, Deputy Roche said that despite the best efforts of local councils, funding falls way short of what is required.

Jonathan Corbett

Paul Bellew

Councillor urges quick action over accident blackspot in Corrandulla

Cllr Andrew Reddington has put forward a motion requesting that Galway County Council apply for a low-cost accident scheme at Bunnahively More in Corrandulla.
An application for funding from the Department of Transport was not granted because there was insufficient data to demonstrate the number of accidents on the road.
Councillor Reddington states that he has requested the Tuam District Municipal Office to explore alternative funding methods.

Ukrainian Red Cross Volunteers to Visit Galway tomorrow

Volunteers from the Ukrainian Red Cross will arrive in Galway tomorrow to share their frontline experience from a country that has faced one of the world's largest humanitarian emergencies.
The meeting is part of a tour of the country by the volunteers who are also visiting Limerick, Mallow and Dublin. 
Since 2022, the Ukrainian Red Cross has scaled up to meet the needs of millions, mobilising volunteers at pace, expanding branches under pressure to support local communities and delivering aid in the most dangerous conditions.
For the Irish Red Cross, the exchange is a chance to learn directly from that experience, preparing for the floods, storms, and emergencies Ireland does face, and strengthening volunteer mobilisation and community engagement for the future.
Speaking to Galway Bay FM News, National Director Aidan Lonergan explained what will happen tomorrow.

Joyce Country & Western Lakes Geopark receives green flag on final step for UNESCO status

Joyce Country and Western Lakes Geopark in North Galway and South Mayo has been granted UNESCO Global Geopark status at the 10th UNESCO Global Geoparks Council meeting in Temuco, Chile.
This will be the first UNESCO Global Geopark in Connacht and the first on the island of Ireland to include a Gaeltacht (Dúiche Sheoigheach agus Tuar Mhic Éadaigh) and will be the fifth in the Island of Ireland, joining Burren and Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, Cuilcagh Lakelands in Fermanagh and Cavan, Copper Coast in Waterford, and Mourne Gullion Strangford in Down and Armagh.
The Geopark covers twenty communities in North Galway and South Mayo and an area of approximately
The decision to grant UNESCO Global Geopark status will be ratified at the UNESCO executive board meeting in Paris in the spring of next year.
Speaking to Galway Bay FM News, Michael Hegarty of the Joyce Country & Western Lakes Geopark said it was fantastic news for the Geopark.