Channelle Pharma sponsoring Galway Races for 37 years running

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July 22, 2022

galway daily news AIN abandons plans for cashless banks

AIB has today announced that it is not going ahead with plans for 70 bank branches to go cashless.

The bank made a U-turn on its plans after coming under sustained criticism from all sides in the past few days.

AIB announced earlier this week that branches in Ballinasloe, Clifden, Gort, Galway, Oranmore, Salthill, Spiddal and The Lab would go cashless from October.

In the days since the move was announced earlier this week, the plans have been severely criticised, including intervention from the Taoiseach.

Galway TD Claire Kerrane said that the move would severely affect vulnerable people living in rural areas.

“Accessing cash is a fairly basic service provided by any Bank and the loss of these services will impact on customers and businesses,” the Roscommon-Galway TD said.

“The removal of the ATMs in particular will make it much more difficult for customers accessing cash in these rural towns.”

Senator Seán Kyne had also said that it was an appalling decision, and unacceptable from a bank which is effectively owned by the taxpayer.

“The effects of this decision are extremely serious and impact on thousands of people,” he said.

Minister for Paschal Donohue today welcomed AIB’s decision not to go ahead with removing cash services from those branches.

“Banks have a key role in maintaining the flow of cash through the economy and ensuring appropriate access to retail banking services for all in society, including the vulnerable.”

“I note the significant public reaction to AIB’s announcement earlier this week and I welcome the Bank’s decision not to proceed with the proposed changes to customer services in certain branches.”

€5 Bulky Goods collection events announced for August

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July 22, 2022

galway daily news €5 bulky goods waste collection

Galway City and Galway County Council have announced a discounted bulky goods event at four locations in August.

The events will be held at Ballinasloe, Clifden and Tuam Civic Amenity Sites, as well as the Barna Recycling facility on the Headford Road, from 2 August to 14 August.

The recycling of bulky goods will to include sofas, three-piece suites, wardrobes, bedside lockers, mattresses, bed frames, dining tables and chairs, will cost just €5 during this period.

The councils advised the public that this service must be booked online via the Barna Recycling website before arriving at any of the above sites by using the following address barnarecycling.com/booking.

Pre-booking is essential to avail of the €5 gate fee. Regular gate and weighbridge fees will be incurred in the event that you arrive at either site without prior online booking of the service.

This service is for householders only, commercial operators will be turned away.

Items which will not be accepted include construction and demolition waste, hazardous waste, bags of household waste, toys/trampolines, ceramic and textiles.

Further details on the event can be found on Galway City and Galway County Council’s social media platforms or, alternatively, by contacting the local authority relevant to where you live.

A dedicated website called mywaste.ie is available to assist householders with the management of waste, for example providing details on what can and cannot be recycled, bring bank locations and civic amenity site locations.

Galway City enquiries: Galway City Council may be contacted by email to environment@galwaycity.ie or telephone 091-536400

Galway County enquiries: Galway County Council may be contacted by email to environment@galwaycoco.ie or telephone 091-509510

Ballinasloe tennis club receives Texaco Support for Sport funding

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July 22, 2022

galway daily news ballinasloe tennis texaco funding — The presentation to Ballinasloe & District Tennis Club members Emily Riddle, Ben Feehilly, Brenda Salmon, Triona Waters, Brendan Payne, Paul Waters, Kevin McKeigue and Nathan Hall, was made at the Club. Pictured with them was Valero Regional Sales Manager, Michael Honan (third left).

Ballinasloe & District Tennis Club has been presented with a €5,000 cheque after being announced as county winners in the recent Texaco Support for Sport initiative.

The money will be used by the club to develop its facilities through the installation of floodlighting for its new courts.

The club has been steadily growing over the past few years and provides a warm and friendly environment for all ages to enjoy tennis, from recreational to competitive level.

Under the scheme – similar to that which proved successful last year when the Galway county award was presented to Tuam Rugby Football Club – the presentation was made to the Club by Valero Energy, the company that markets fuel in Ireland under the Texaco brand.

Now in its second year, the Texaco Support for Sport initiative sees an annual fund of €130,000 set aside for allocation in equal amounts of €5,000 to successful applicants chosen on a county-by-county basis.

Overseeing the adjudication process was Texaco Support for Sport ambassador, former Irish rugby international and broadcaster, Donncha O’Callaghan.

Entries to the Texaco Support for Sport 2023 initiative will open this autumn.

Local TD slams AIB decision to turn some branches cashless

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July 22, 2022

A Galway West TD has welcomed a decision by the Oireachtas Finance Committee to hold a meeting to discuss AIB’s announcement that 70 branches will cease cash services.

Mairéad Farrell TD said that she wrote to the Committee yesterday afternoon to request the meeting.

Farrell said that it is vital that we hear from the Finance Minister and senior AIB figures at the hearing, and that the Minister for Finance needs to set out when he learned of this plan by AIB to withdraw vital services from communities.

AIB announced on Tuesday that seven branches in Co. Galway will be made cashless later this year, with the bank claiming the demand for cash services is declining.

The seven branches in Galway to go cashless from 21 October are Ballinasloe, Clifden, Gort, Galway, Oranmore, Salthill, Spiddal and The Lab.

The bank is expanding its relationship with An Post in a move that will see customers being able to access more cash and cheque services in 920 post offices across the State.

But Deputy Farrell said that accessing cash is a fundamental service provided by any bank, and the loss of these services will impact on customers and businesses, especially vulnerable people and rural communities.

“We need to know why is the government allowing AIB to treat its customers and communities with such disdain,” the Sinn Féin TD said.

“As the majority shareholder in AIB, what communication did the bank have with the Minister in advance of this decision being made?

“And what communication has the Minister had with the bank since? It is vital that customers get answers to these crucial questions. Sinn Féin are committed to ensuring customers are treated fairly.

“AIB simply cannot be allowed to walk away from our communities when we, the Irish people, bailed this bank out to the tune of €20.7 billion.

“It is now abandoning the very communities it claims to support. Their actions are totally unacceptable, particularly as the state owns 69% of this bank.”

Extra security needed at hospitals as assaults on nurses increase

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July 22, 2022

Galway Daily news Cancer survival rates significantly higher in centralised unit in Galway

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has called for increased security across all Irish hospitals after it was revealed that more than five nurses were physically, verbally or sexually assaulted every day in June

In 2021 the Health and Safety Authority recorded 7,477 inspections – but only 446 inspections in health and social care settings, compared to 2,865 in construction.

INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said that the assault figures are unacceptable and unfortunately not news to the union.

She said that overcrowding, Covid restrictions and poor staffing levels all add to this increasing problem.

“Nurses are facing the brunt of physical and verbal aggression in hospital. In some cases, our members are victims of career ending assaults,” she said.

“Anecdotally we know that many nurses and midwives do not report many of the incidents that take place in our hospitals because they do not have support to do so.”

Phil Ní Sheaghdha said that the ‘pressure cooker’ type environment that nurses work in is leading to more assaults, meaning that frontline staff are being put at risk for conditions they are not responsible for.

“Ensuring security is available across all areas of any hospital campus is a basic need that is not fulfilled in every hospital.

“While we see high levels of assaults in our Emergency Departments, we need to have 24-hour security in all areas of hospitals not just Emergency Departments. Many assaults are occurring in parts of hospitals where security staff are not available.

“Soothing words from their employer and an acknowledgment of the scale of the problem is not enough for our members at this stage.

“In the last year, 90% of our members reported being mentally exhausted during or after work. Inadequate safety protections only add to the burnout.

“Nurses and midwives need hospital management to use the powers they have and support staff and make complaints to Gardai – zero tolerance is required and that is not the case at present.

“The Health and safety Authority need to play an enhanced role in tackling assaults of nurses. There must be more inspections, prosecutions of employers who fail to keep staff safe.

“There must be a dedicated division established within the HSA to deal directly with the health service. This is an ask the INMO has put directly to Government and the Authority itself.

“Hospitals are not just places of care, they are workplaces. We need to know what measures are being put in place to protect a largely female work force. The employer’s remit is to provide a safe workplace. This level of reported incidence is completely unacceptable.”

City Council launches plan for 2,440 social and affordable housing units

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July 21, 2022

Galway Daily news City Council launches plan for 2,440 social and affordable housing units

Galway City Council have launched their plans for delivering 2,440 social and affordable homes across the city over the next five years.

The Housing Delivery Action Plan sets out how the council itself, and approved housing bodies, will provide affordable and social housing through new builds, as well as turnkey and Part V arrangements.

The plan has a target of 1,435 new social housing homes within that five year period, as well as 1,005 new affordable homes, including for purchase and cost rental.

Part V arrangements are a requirement in planning law, where new local authorities are entitled to 20% of units in private housing builds.

Over the period 2022–2026, Galway City Council will deliver a range of housing, including mixed-tenure schemes; increase social housing stock; and address important issues such as affordability and vacancy.

Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien visited Galway this week for the official opening of the Ard Cré Social Housing Development on the Ballymoneen Road.

Speaking at the event, he praised the city council for the ambition of the targets set out in the plan.

The Ard Cré Social Housing Development is a 92 unit estate which was built in two phases.

Phase I, designed by McCrossan O’Rourke Manning Architects comprising 14 units, was constructed by Purcell Construction, and completed in July 2018.

Phase 2, comprising 78 homes, was designed by O’Briain Beary Architects, and built by J.J. Rhatigan & Company, and completed in June 2021.

The development comprises a mix of houses, apartments and duplex style dwellings.

Minister Darragh O’Brien, T.D., also saw delivery on the ground as he visited the Garraí Caol Turnkey Development on the Coast Road, where Phase 1 (27 units) delivery is due in August.

The city council expects to have 265 social housing units delivered by the end of this year.

The full Housing Delivery Action Plan can be found on the city council website here.

Speed cameras being introduced at two new Galway locations

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July 21, 2022

Galway Daily news Increase in use of speed cameras on roads

Speed cameras are being introduced at two new zones in Galway starting from next week.

An Garda Síochána have announced today that 61 New safety camera zones will become operational from 6am on Tuesday, July 26.

In Galway, mobile cameras will be operating on the R446 at Ballinalsoe, where there have been two serious collisions according to Gardaí.

The other new speed camera location in Galway is on the R364 regional road to the north and south of Kilkerrin, where there have been two collisions lately.

This will bring the total number of speed camera zones operating in Ireland to 1,373.

Gardaí say that the purpose of the new cameras is to reduce the number of collisions involving speed.

To date, there have been 89 road deaths in Ireland this year, an increase in 28 over 2021 and 13 more than the same period in 2019.

Safety cameras operate in areas where there is a history of speed related collisions known as speed enforcement zones.

Superintendent Thomas Murphy, Garda National Roads Policing Bureau said, “When someone decides to speed they put themselves and members of their community at risk, particularly children, older people, cyclists and other motorists.”

“Our priority is to ensure that the vast majority of people who use the roads responsibly are not put in danger by a minority of reckless drivers who continue to drive at excessive speed.”

“GoSafe vans operate in areas that have a speed-related collision history where fatal, serious injury and minor injury collisions occur.”

“In addition, locations which have been highlighted by members of the community as being areas of concern, have been included in the new zones.”

“By identifying and targeting these high-risk areas, the aim is to reduce the number of fatal and serious injury collisions.”

The new zones are spread across 23 counties, 49% on Regional Routes, 31% National Routes and 20% on other routes such as Motorways and local roads.

Contact lenses grant changes will “really make a difference” Dolan says

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July 21, 2022

Galway Daily health Contact lenses grant changes will "really make a difference" Dolan says

People who use medical contact lenses now have increased financial support, with up to €1,000 available every two years.

Galway Senator Aisling Dolan said that the changes to the Treatment Benefit Scheme will be of huge financial benefit to many people.

“This will really make a difference for people at work and the self-employed who have to cover the cost of medical contact lenses.”

“With these changes €1,000 will now be available every two years instead of a four-year period.”

There are more than two and a quarter million people who qualify for some form of financial aid under the Treatment Benefit Scheme, Aisling Dolan said.

“It also covers dental, eye-tests and glasses, hearing tests so do call into your local dentist and optician in the treatment benefit scheme to find out about a free check-up.”

“I know people are slowly getting back into the routine of check-ups after the pandemic and lockdown and we can put it on the long finger,” Aisling Dolan said, adding “Tese benefits make it easier for people who are working to do those check-ups”

The Treatment Benefit Scheme is available to insured workers, the self-employed and retired people who have the required number of PRSI contributions, and to their adult dependents.

The change in the TBS was announced recently by Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys.

Minister Humphreys said “Contact lenses can be a costly expense and this measure is designed to assist people who require specialised lenses for medical reasons.”

“It follows on from my introduction of a new €500 grant towards the cost of a hairpiece, wig or hair replacement and the easing of PRSI conditions for 25-29 year olds.”

For those who are prescribed to wear contact lenses for medical reasons the frequency of the need to change the lenses varies with their particular eye condition.

Some people must wear these lenses because they have a distortion in the shape of the pupil and the lens stops the distortion. In this case, the lens is a hard glass lens.

Sometimes medical lenses are needed because glasses can’t correct the bad eyesight issue sufficiently.

Solar power plans for Tuam water supply

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July 21, 2022

Galway Daily news perovskite solar panels

Irish Water plans to cut down the reliance o Tuam’s water supply on the electric grid by installing a significant solar farm at the reservoir.

Planning permission has been granted for the installation of roughly 2,100m² of solar panels at Knockacarrigeen Reservoir.

The solar panels are to be installed atop two closed reservoir tanks already in place.

A planning report for the project stated, “Knockacarrigeen reservoir provides water storage facilities for Tuam. The operation of the facility consumes electricity which is currently imported from the electricity grid.”

“The proposed development will consist of ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) panels being installed over two closed reservoir tanks to offset the power imported from the electricity grid”.

“Ancillary works required to complete this project installing cables to connect the solar PV panels to the electrical infrastructure within the site and associated electrical equipment.”

Planning permission for the development was granted by the county council with the condition that if there is any issue with glare affecting road users, mitigating measures must be taken.

55 year old man charged with sexual assault

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July 21, 2022

Galway Daily courts Man charged in connection

A 55 year old man has been accused of sexual assaulting a female individual at a charity shop in Galway City.

The accused man has been charged with two count of sexual assault against the same person in March of 2020.

He has been charged under Section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape) Amendment Act.

The case was in for hearing at Galway District Court recently, but the state have gone back to the DPP for clarification of the directions.

The case will next come before the court this October. Judge Mary Fahy directed that reporting restrictions shall apply.

Plans for 18m mobile mast in village centre rejected

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July 21, 2022

Galway Daily news An Bord Pleanala approves 18m high mobile mast in Aughrim

Galway County Council has refused planning permission for an 18m high mobile telecoms mast in the centre of Aughrim village.

Eir sought approval from the council to replace an existing 12m wooden pole at their Exchange Building in Aughrim with an 18m monopole structure.

The mast would have been fitted with antennae, dishes, and associated telecommunications equipment.

Galway County Council refused planning permission for the mast, citing its location within an established residential area, with multiple homes, community facilities, and a school in close proximity.

The council inspector’s report said that the technical justification put forward by Eir was not satisfactory, and that the council considered that there were more suitable locations elsewhere.

In its decision to refuse approval for the mobile mast, the council cited its “overbearing nature”, and close proximity to existing homes, despite being on an Eir site already in use.

“It is considered that the proposed telecommunications monopole should be located away from existing residences and that the proposed development would be a visibly obtrusive feature.”

The council said that it would seriously damage amenities, and affect the value of property in the area.

Connacht players named to Irish Woman’s Squad for Japan Tour

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July 21, 2022

Galway Daily rugby Four changes made to starting XV for Connacht v Glasgow

Three Connacht players have been named to the Irish Women’s Squad for the upcoming two game test series against Japan.

Head coach Greg McWilliams’ squad includes Edel McMahon, Laura Feely, and Nichola Fryday among the forwards for the August test series.

Fryday will once again be captaining the Irish side when the series against Japan opens at Ecopa Stadium in Fukuroi City, Shizuoka on Saturday, August 20.

This will be followed up by a second match a week later, on Saturday, August 27, at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium in Tokyo.

The last meeting between Ireland and Japan was during the 2021 November internationals at the RDS, where Ireland secured a 15 – 12 win.

McWilliams has included 13 players – including Kate Flannery who starred for Ireland during the recent Under-18 Women’s Six Nations Festival – on the stand-by list for Japan.

Commenting on the squad, McWilliams said: “We’re excited to finalise the touring squad for Japan having trained together as an extended group of 50 players since May.

“There is a strong mix of youth and experience in the panel and this is a great opportunity for the uncapped and young players, some of whom have come up through the pathway and the National Talent Squad programme.

“That in itself is really positive to see these players develop through the system and now get their opportunity in the senior team as we build ahead of next season.”

Ireland Women’s Squad, Japan Tour:

Forwards:

Chloe Pearse (UL Bohemians RFC/Munster)
Christy Haney (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
Clara Nielson* (Exeter Chiefs/IQ Rugby)
Dorothy Wall (Blackrock College RFC/Munster)
Edel McMahon (Wasps/IQ Rugby)
Emma Hooban (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
Grace Moore (Saracens/IQ Rugby)
Hannah O’Connor (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
Jo Brown* (Worcester/IQ Rugby)
Katie O’Dwyer (Railway Union RFC/Leinster)
Laura Feely (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht)
Linda Djougang (ASM Romagnat Rugby/Leinster)
Maeve Óg O’Leary (Blackrock College RFC/Munster)
Neve Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury/Ulster)
Nichola Fryday (Exeter Chiefs/Connacht)(Captain)
Sam Monaghan (TBC)
Taryn Schulzter* (Saracens/Ulster)

Backs:

Ailsa Hughes (Railway Union RFC/Leinster)
Aoife Dalton* (Tullamore/Leinster)
Dannah O’Brien* (Tullow RFC/Leinster)
Emma Tilly* (MU Barnhall RFC/Leinster)
Enya Breen (TBC/Munster)
Kayla Waldron* (Hamilton Hawks/IQ Rugby)
Lauren Delany (Sale Sharks RFC/IQ Rugby)
Leah Tarpey* (Tullamore RFC/Leinster)
Molly Scuffil-McCabe (Railway Union RFC/Leinster)
Natasja Behan (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
Nicole Cronin (UL Bohemians RFC/Munster).

Ireland Women’s Japan Tour Fixtures:

Japan v Ireland, Saturday, August 20, Ecopa Stadium
Japan v Ireland, Saturday, August 27, Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium

€5 million Construction Technology Centre announced for Galway

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July 21, 2022

Galway daily news Planning refused for huge housing development on Galway City outskirts

The Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has today announced that a €5 million Construction Technology Centre will be based in Galway.

The centre, which is being set up to accelerate research and innovation within the construction and built environment sector, will be housed at NUI Galway.

Tánaiste Varadkar confirmed this morning that the centre will have €5 million in funding, delivered over the course of five years.

He said that this project will ensure that Ireland is at the “cutting edge of new developments” in the construction sector, giving Irish companies and taxpayers an edge, and delivering modern infrastructure as efficiently as possible.

“We’re making sure that a diverse range of academics, skilled craft workers, industry experts and thought leaders feed into the work of the Centre,” Leo Varadkar said.

This is so that, “when businesses come for advice, they get accurate, up to date information that is informed by a broad range of expertise across the sector.”

Housed at NUI Galway, the Construction Technology Centre is the result of a consortium including Trinity College Dublin, UCD, and University College Cork working with the Irish Green Building Council.

It will have a particular focus on advancing innovation and productivity in residential construction.

President of NUI Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, said that the centre will bring all of the university’s “talent, knowledge and expertise” to the fore in driving “sustainability, innovation and technology transformation” in construction.

The construction sector currently employs 159,300 people in Ireland, 6.4% of all people working in the Irish economy.

The sector represents 6.1% of GDP, along with 11.2% of Gross National Income (GNI).

Enterprise Ireland’s High-Tech Construction and Housing team works with a portfolio of 450 client companies that achieved exports of €2.89bn in 2021, up 24% on the previous year.

The project leads at NUI Galway, Prof. Jamie Goggins and Dr. Magdalena Hajdukiewicz explained, “Our consortium proposed a Centre that will deliver on its vision to make Ireland a global research and innovation leader for sustainable construction and built environment technology.”

“The Centre will bring together the whole value chain to accelerate people-centric innovation in construction and the built environment that allows industry increase their capacity and competitiveness, while creating a sustainable society and economy”.

Statement on energy poverty from NGOs welcomed by PBP

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July 20, 2022

Galway Daily news Galway sports clubs share in €2.5 million energy costs support

People Before Profit Galway have expressed support for a statement on energy poverty and climate pollution from Irish NGOs.

The party’s representative in Galway Adrian Curran said that NGOs are calling for a ban on disconnections, a windfall tax on energy companies, doubling of the Fuel Allowance, and increase rates of all core social welfare payments by at least €20 per week.

Curran said that the issues around poverty, fuel poverty, and climate change are not unrelated to each other.

“The climate emergency will impact lower income households first and much more than wealthier ones,” he said.

“That said, the best impact we can have in meeting our carbon reduction targets and improving living conditions is by doing things that benefit both. This includes retrofitting all homes to a high standard, beginning with social housing.

“It means introducing free and frequent public transport, something that could be funded for a year in all of the State for the same proposed cost as the N6 bypass. The money is there for these solutions, it’s just not used properly.”

Mr Curran said that we are witnessing a solidarity between multiple groups and classes of people, as everyone faces difficulties affording their bills lately.

“This kind of momentum, such as what we are seeing with the Cost of Living Coalition, needs to continue and build to put pressure on the government to stop the greed of profiteering energy companies and take real action on the cost of living.”

New drum programme announced using Galway 2020 instruments

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July 20, 2022

galway daily news drum programme galway city beach

A new drum programme using instruments from Galway 2020 has been announced by the Galway Roscommon Education and Training Borad (GRETB).

The Gaillimh Instrument Bank initiative will start in September 2022, with GRETB’s Music Generation overseeing the Galway 2020 instruments and annual percussion programmes.

Galway 2020 engaged with community groups in towns such as Tuam, Clifden, Spiddal, Ballinasloe, Portumna and Athenry, creating community drum programmes, with master drummers training volunteers within their local communities.

They were to perform at the official opening ceremony of Galway 2020 but the ceremony was cancelled due to severe national weather warnings.

Music Generation’s Musician Educator team in collaboration with their colleagues attached to Community Education will train and manage the volunteer groups within community settings.

Music Generation will also deliver percussion-based programmes in schools, camps and festivals across the county using the same percussion instrument bank from Galway 2020.

Those who are interested and who wish to participate and receive tuition should register their interest at musicgenerationgalway@gretb.ie and they will be kept updated on developments.

AIB cashless decision will disproportionately impact rural communities says local TD

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July 20, 2022

AIB’s decision to make 70 of its 170 branches cashless will disproportionately impact rural communities, a local TD has said.

Claire Kerrane TD said that there are many vulnerable customers living in rural areas who are not given sufficient consideration when decisions like these are made.

AIB announced on Tuesday that seven branches in Co. Galway will be made cashless later this year, with the bank claiming the demand for cash services is declining.

The seven branches in Galway to go cashless from 21 October are Ballinasloe, Clifden, Gort, Galway, Oranmore, Salthill, Spiddal and The Lab.

The bank is expanding its relationship with An Post in a move that will see customers being able to access more cash and cheque services in 920 post offices across the State.

But Deputy Kerrane argues that this is ‘not a solution in itself’ and that in some cases, customers will have to travel 30km or more to access an AIB branch with full cash services.

She said that with poor public transport in many rural parts, and that people simply will not get there.

“Accessing cash is a fairly basic service provided by any Bank and the loss of these services will impact on customers and businesses,” the Roscommon-Galway TD said.

“The removal of the ATMs in particular will make it much more difficult for customers accessing cash in these rural towns.”

The Sinn Féin TD added that the announcement reminds us again that we need to have a national conversation about banking in Ireland, especially for vulnerable customers in this digital age and for people living in rural communities.

Over 2,700 Ukrainian refugees have arrived in Galway

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July 20, 2022

galway daily news University of Galway signs partnership with government of Ukraine

Over 2,700 refugees from Ukraine have arrived in Galway as of 10 July according to new figures from the Central Statistics Office.

Galway City Central is the area with the most Ukrainian refugees (1,168), while 647 refugees have arrived in Connemara.

Tuam (89) and Loughrea (81) are the two local electoral areas with the least arrivals.

The data shows that 306 primary school pupils from Ukraine have been enrolled in Galway as well as 108 secondary school students.

Nationally, there have been 43,256 PPS numbers issued to individuals from Ukraine as of 10 July.

Women aged 20 and over account for 47% of arrivals to date, while individuals aged 0-19 (both male and female) account for 37%.

Of those who have attended employment support events arranged by Intreo Public Employment Services, 66% were noted with English language proficiency being a challenge in securing employment.

Bord rejects plans for off-licence at student accommodation complex

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July 20, 2022

Galway Daily news Bord rejects plans for off-licence at student accommodation complex

An Bord Pleanála has refused planning permission for an off-licence at the Westwood student accommodation complex in Dangan.

Tom Meehan & Sons sought approval to convert part of the permitted shop and café on the ground floor of one block of student apartments, to off-licence use.

The City Council originally shot down these plans last November, saying that removing seating to make room for the off licence would compromise the café usage.

The council had also been concerned about the possibility of increased set down and pick up traffic activity on the adjacent N59, a potential road safety hazard.

The developer appealed this decision, stating that an updated layout increased the floor space dedicated to the café, and decreased the retail space.

Together with 12 outdoor seats, the appeal argued that the café and restaurant would continue to be a viable partial replacement for the loss of the Westwood Hotel.

However, An Bord Pleanála said in its decision that the loss of seating would result in an, “adverse impact on the integrity and viability of the café/restaurant function within these premises”, as permitted by the original planning permission.

“The proposed development would therefore adversely affect the overall use provisions for these premises as set out in the planning permissions on site and would seriously injure the amenities of the area.

Two objections had been received by the city council from local residents concerned about the loss of the café amenity for the area, and the potential for increased anti-social behaviour from adding an off–licence at student accommodation.

Water outages in Moycullen, Furbo & Spiddal

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July 20, 2022