Galway Bay fm - News

Planning permission submitted for €12m redevelopment of Oranmore Train Station

Over €16m for Galway sports clubs through record allocation of Government funding

Over 16 million euro has been allocated to sports clubs across Galway in a record national allocation of funding.
It's part of a 250 million euro investment through the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme and Community Sport Facilities Fund. 
Some of the big winners include Leisureland, Pearse Stadium, and Kinvara Hockey Club, among others all receiving around €500,000.
While the rest of the 16.7 million will be spread out across clubs, facilities and centres right across the county.
Minister of State with Responsibility for Sport, Thomas Byrne, says this level of sports funding is unprecedented

Thousands expected at Galway Racecourse for leading med-tech show

Thousands of people are expected at Galway Racecourse today for a leading med-tech show.
It's considered the main show in Ireland for med-tech and is Europe's largest and fastest-growing medical device design and manufacturing event.
Hundreds of exhibitors will flock to Ballybrit today and tomorrow for The Medical Technology Ireland Expo and Conference.
MTI's John Courtney says it's a great opportunity for Galway to host such an event

City Council to revisit recently installed bollards in Roscam branded "terrible looking"

Galway City Council is to revisit the installation of "terrible looking" bollards along the cycle lane in Roscam. 
The metal bollards were installed almost three weeks ago near the entrance to the An Réileán estate. 
Locals were less than impressed - as there was no consultation or advance notice given to either them, or local councillors. 
At a recent meeting of the local authority, Councillor Alan Cheevers said that move - as well as the design of the bollards themselves - falls far short of expected standards.
Fianna Fail Councillor Cheevers told David Nevin they'll now be looking at far less intrusive options. 

Pressure put on Government to tackle vacancy and dereliction in Galway

Pressure is being put on the Government once again to tackle vacancy and dereliction in Galway.
Galway West TD Mairéad Farrell says not only are derelict buildings an eyesore, they're also going to waste at a time when housing and community facilities are desparately needed.
The Sinn Féin TD is highlighting data from GeoDirectory, which recently discovered that Galway's vacancy rate of 18.5 percent is above the national average
Deputy Farrell says a derelict site and vacancy tax is needed

47 Galway projects receive share of over million euro Community Climate Action Fund

Solar panels for Ballinasloe Town Hall Theatre, water refill stations in Kilcolgan, a bicycle shelter at Claregalway GAA and a community orchard on The Aran Islands are among the 47 Galway projects being funded under a Community Climate Action Fund.
Over a million euro is being spread out across the city and county, and will support groups such as Cope Galway, Cancer Care West and Galway Sea Scouts.
It's part of a national fund of 27 million euro, and support projects in five key theme areas - community energy, travel, food and waste, shopping and recycling, and local climate and environmental action.
Tiarnan McCusker, Environmental Awareness Officer with Galway City Council, says its great to see community engagement in climate action.

Meanwhile, Sinn Fein Councillor for Athenry/Oranmore Louis O' Hara told David that the Government should be making up the shortfall, not the general public.

Local Property Tax in County Galway is set to increase by 15 percent.

Local Property Tax in County Galway is set to increase by 15 percent.
At a meeting at County Hall this afternoon, 32 councillors voted in favour of the move, while 6 voted against.
Those who opposed the increase are Athenry/Oranmore Sinn Fein Councillor Louis O' Hara, Athenry/Oranmore Independent James Charity, Connemara Independent Ireland Councillors Noel Thomas, Michael Leinde and Seamus Walsh, and Connemara Independent Tomas O Curraoin.
Ballinasloe Sinn Fein Councillor Dermot Connolly was not present.
The argument in favour is that the cash-starved local authority is in desperate need of additional funding, and this move will net an additional €2.4m a year to deliver more services.
€800 thousand of that sum will also be ringfenced each year for local councillors to spend in their local areas of Athenry/Oranmore, Connemara, Tuam, Ballinasloe and Gort-Kinvara/Loughrea.
But there were also some heated scenes as Councillor Noel Thomas accused the controlling political pact of blackmail, bribery and coercion in order to secure yes votes.
Councilor Thomas claimed they were told that anyone who voted no would have no say in how that money is spent - a move several described as a poor precedent and bad for local democracy.
Fine Gael Loughrea Councillor Jimmy McClearn proposed the LPT be raised - and he explained why to David Nevin.

New floodlights at Westside Running Track to be switched on this week

New floodlights installed at Westside Running Track are due to be switched on this week.
It's expected the 20 LED floodlights, along with sensors, around the track will be operational by Thursday.
Galway City Council confirmed in May of this year that it allocated €100,000 in capital funding and €60,000 for the project under the Community Recognition Fund.
Fine Gael City Counillor Eddie Hoare says the new lighting will greatly improve safety, in particular as the evenings get darker:

Galway conference seeks to tackle worrying trend of rising youth homelessness

A conference being hosted by Galway Simon Community is looking to address a 'worrying' trend of rising youth homelessness.
The free event will feature an expert panel of local and international speakers and will take place on Friday September 27th to coincide with Simon Week 2024
'Addressing Youth Homelessness: What Works' is being held at the Institute for Lifecourse and Society at the University of Galway from 9:30AM-1PM.
CEO of Galway Simon Karen says it's important a specific focus is placed on the issue of youth homelessness