Plans progress for major upgrade to Galway City water supply

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March 31, 2022

Galway United sports Galway United builds back line with signing of James Finnerty & Mark Russell — Photo: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Galway United have approved a move by the billionaire Comer Brothers to become the majority owners of the club.

The Galway United Friends Co-operative Society voted in favour of the motion for the Comer Group to take an 85% stake in the club.

The remaining 15% of the club’s ownership will remain with the fan Co-Op.

Luke and Brian Comer have a long standing relationship with Galway’s soccer club, investing several million since becoming sponsors in 2013.

In 2019 they announced that a 40 acre site at Mountain South, Athenry would be dedicated to developing a €40 million centre of excellence for developing young players.

A special meeting of the Co-Operative Society was held on Wednesday night to discuss and vote on the takeover motion.

A statement from the club after said “The members of Galway United Friends Co-operative Society voted in favour of the motion for Comer Group to have an option to acquire 85% ownership of the club.”

“We extend our thanks to Luke & Brian Comer for their support of Galway United.”

Ahead of the vote, the brothers committed to injecting €500,000 into the club this year if their bid was accepted.

The ambition to see United climb back to the Premier Division of the SSE League of Ireland was also stressed by the brothers.

Radical overhaul coming for private pensions

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March 31, 2022

Galway Daily business How much will I need to save for my pension

Private pensions in Ireland are going to be radically overhauled under new plans affecting hundreds of thousands of workers, which were approved by the Cabinet this week.

The Cabinet has signed off on draft principles for a new private pensions scheme which will automatically enroll workers who do not already have a plan.

The scheme will see employees contribute 1.5 percent of their salary, matched by their employer, a portion which will increase over the course of a decade.

After 10 years employees will be contributing 6 percent of their salary towards a pension plan.

The state will also contribute towards the plan, putting in one third the level of each employee.

By the end of the ten year period, the government will be putting €1 in the pot for every €3 that an employee saves, with their employer contributing another €3.

It’s estimated that this will cost the Exchequer roughly €2.8 billion over the course of the first decade.

The scheme, which will come into effect from 2024, will apply to employees between the ages of 23 and 60 who are earning more than €20,000 a year, and who do not already have a pensions.

It’s estimated that this will apply to roughly three quarters of a million people.

While contributions to the four funds will begin in 2024, automatic enrollment will commence immediately, and continue next year.

Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said that an automatic enrolment system is needed to address a lack of pension coverage in Ireland.

It’s estimated that just 35% of private sector employees in Ireland have supplementary pension coverage, beyond the state pension.

This is below the average elsewhere in Europe, as many people lack information on pensions in Ireland.

“We all know that people are living longer. While this is very positive, we also want people to be able to enjoy their retirement years with some financial security,” Heather Humphreys said.

“However, for many people retirement seems a long way away and they think they have a lot of time before they need to think about a pension.”

“Some people may be of the view that the process of putting aside a little each week to provide for their retirement years is something to be considered next year, or maybe even the year after next.”

“However, that is not the case. If people want to retain a reasonable standard of living in retirement, they need to start saving as soon as possible,” Heather Humphreys added.

This new scheme will still be voluntary, but employees will have to opt-out of it, rather than choose to enroll.

Almost 1,000 households in Galway waiting over 7 years for social housing

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March 31, 2022

Galway Daily news housing allocation scheme Gaeltacht

Almost 1,000 households in Galway have been on a waiting list for social housing for longer than seven years.

The 2021 Summary of Social Housing Assessments shows that there were 502 households in the county waiting longer than 7 year as of last November, and another 457 in Galway City.

There are just under 3,000 households in total qualified for social housing in Galway, with figures in both the city and county increasing last year.

There were 1,641 households in Galway County in need of social housing as of last November, with a further 1,263 in the city.

This is a 5.5 percent increase on the figures for 2020 in Galway County, and a 2.4 increase in the city.

However, that figure has fallen by 62 percent in Galway City since 2016, the report claims, with the county seeing a 21 percent decline in the number of qualified households.

Nationwide there are 59,247 households qualified for social housing according to the report, a 4.3 percent decline on the previous year.

Almost a third of the applicant are employed, either in full, part-time, or self-employment.

Minister for Housing and Local Government Darragh O’Brien said “Over 23,300 households had their housing needs met in 2021 – this is despite the very significant impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on delivery.”

“It’s important to remember that most residential construction was halted for a 13-week period from January to April.”

“We must not, and will not, lose sight of the fact that there are still just over 59,000 households who are relying on us for the provision of housing support.”

He added that the government is watching the situation in Ukraine closely, as the Russian invasion is having “significant impacts” on all sectors of society.

“As we ramp up all types of housing delivery this year we will be wary of any impact the war will have.”

How to Choose the Best Online Games

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Thomas O'Brien

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March 30, 2022

The advancement of technology and the introduction of the internet has changed the way we play games. Gamers have an opportunity to experience some of the best playing environments on the internet. There are so many games the players have to choose from, such as lash games, arcade games, and online casinos.

For new gamers, it might be challenging to decide on what game you would like to play. This is similar to what it takes to get the best expert picks. The online casinos provide a variety of games that come in different themes to choose from and play. The intense games have something for everyone, and if you are wondering what game to play, here are the best ways to choose the online game.

Is It a Scam or Legit?

The internet has a lot of games that offer players money for winning. If you are a casino games fan, you will want to play games that you are assured you have a good chance at winning. It is not your money that is at risk of being stolen but also you’re with the internet but your data.

Hackers have figured out that the gaming industry has many people playing online. They have developed games with additional scripts which steal players’ data. This information, such as your credit card number and your user information, can be stolen or asked for Ransom for you to access.

The game’s legitimacy can be checked by looking at the game’s certification. A certified game has undergone all the checks, and it is safe for the users, and its data is protected.

Check Game Ratings and Reviews

The ratings and reviews provide how other users have experienced playing games. There are a lot of sites that provide game ratings. The best place for video games reviews and ratings from the Entertainment Software Rating Board.

When choosing a game for your children, you would like to avoid games rated as M. These games have adult content and are not suitable for children of that age.

The review section will help you identify if it is safe to play a game based on how other players describe it. A high-rated game is a good indicator that you will likely enjoy playing a game.

Money Options

If you are an online casino game lover, you would probably love a game with many payment options. Players love online games that provide them with many banking options for online games. You will be providing your banking details to these sites, so choosing a secure site that uses the best internet security protocols is the best option.

Many players have fallen victim to not being able to withdraw cash because the site probably does not allow them. Consider reading their terms and conditions for online casinos to ensure that the casino has a license to operate in your country.

A good game has a lot of online payment options such as PayPal, Amazon Pay, Google Pay, and Apple Pay. When buying a video game, you want to consider how much it will cost. Some games are free to download but will require the player to have a subscription for you to access and play the game.

How Well Are You Familiar With the Game?

If you are a casino lover, you will want to play a game that you know and understand how it works. Some casino games, such as slots, are very simple to play and don’t need any skills for you to know. A game like Blackjack needs a lot of skills and strategy for you to have a chance at beating the casino in the game.

If it is a video game you want, you should be sure it is a good game you will enjoy. You don’t want to pay for a game that you would not play. Most of the games have a demo option that allows you to play a free version before considering buying it.

The Game Setting

Online games are accessible to children and adults. If your children have access to the game, you should ensure that their playing activity can be monitored. The game time should be monitored so that the kids don’t overplay the game.

When choosing an online game, you should consider a game that will have fun. Games that allow multiple players are best when hosting a gaming party.

Verdict

Now that you know how to choose a safe online game, you should be able to ensure that you’re playing experience is enjoyable. Be sure to follow these tips the next time you are looking for an online game.

Just 2 days left to submit applications for National Lottery Good Causes Awards

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March 30, 2022

galway daily news national lottery good causes awards — Lough Ree Lanesborough Angling Hub in Co. Roscommon. Pic: Mac Innes Photography

The National Lottery has called on Good Causes beneficiaries across Ireland to submit their applications for this year’s Good Causes Awards ahead of the deadline this Friday, 1 April.

The awards honour the inspiring work and achievements of thousands of projects, clubs and individuals from all who, with the help of National Lottery funding, have had a positive impact on their local communities.

Last year’s Good Causes Awards saw Lough Ree Lanesborough Angling Hub win the Health & Wellbeing category and then go on to be named as the National Lottery Good Cause of the Year.

The Roscommon-based not-for-profit organisation promotes inclusion within its community and provides equal access to fishing for people of all abilities.

To follow in the footsteps of the Lough Ree Lanesborough Angling Hub, the National Lottery is encouraging Good Causes beneficiaries to complete and submit their applications ahead of the deadline this Friday.

National Lottery CSR and Good Causes Manager, Jennifer Crowe, has appealed to the many outstanding groups and organisations all over the country who have received Good Causes funding between 2017 – 2021 to enter.

“Hearing how Good Causes funding has enabled beneficiaries to complete inspiring projects and make a difference to their communities, truly is one of the most moving aspects of the Good Causes Awards,” she said.

“Each of the extraordinary beneficiaries have a story to tell and with just days left until the application deadline, we would love to hear from even more of our deserving recipients.

“We are urging all of our Good Causes beneficiaries who have received funding between 2017-2021 to make sure to get their applications in ahead of the upcoming deadline this Friday – best of luck to everyone entering!” she said.

Organisations, projects and clubs nationwide who received funding through the following National Lottery part-funded schemes between 2017-2021 can enter:

• Sports – Sports Capital Programme or any funding issued through Sport Ireland

• Arts & Culture – Any funding provided through the Arts Council of Ireland

• Heritage – Any funding provided through the Heritage Council of Ireland.

• Youth – Funding issued by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (i.e. UBU Your Place, Your Space grants, Targeted Youth Funding Schemes or Youth Information Centre’s)

• Health – Funding from the HSE National Lottery Grant Scheme

• Community – Any National Lottery part-funded scheme administered by Department of Rural & Community Development (Senior Alert Schemes or Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO)

• Irish Language – Any Irish Language support provided through the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

The total prize fund for the National Lottery Good Causes Awards is €130,000. Each of the 35 finalists will win €1,000 when they are announced at the National Finals stage this summer.

At the awards ceremony later this year, each of the seven category winners will receive €10,000 and the overall Good Cause of the Year will win an additional €25,000.

Good Causes beneficiaries can enter and check eligibility at www.lottery.ie/good-causes-awards.

Call for local authorities to help process accommodation pledges for Ukrainian refugees

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March 30, 2022

Local authorities should help to speed up the processing of accommodation pledges from the public for Ukrainian refugees, a Galway East TD has said.

Deputy Ciaran Cannon that said learning from the experience of the Covid Community Call, local government must repurpose Community Response forums across the country as soon as possible to support Ukrainian refugees.

The Fine Gael TD, who opened up his Galway home to Afghan refugees last year, said that while he is delighted that the Red Cross has launched such a platform, they are now under severe pressure to process thousands of offers of accommodation.

“Speaking at an online Fine Gael event last week, Liam O’Dwyer, interim Secretary General of the Red Cross, said they had received 20,000 pledges to date,” said Deputy Cannon.

“I know this number has increased since then and following up on this volume of offers is a mammoth task.”

The Red Cross is currently dividing the accommodation pledges into two categories – the first being vacant properties such as single units, empty apartments and standalone houses, and secondly, shared accommodation.

Thirty percent of the pledges are vacant properties, while 70% are shared accommodation.

“The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the Red Cross agreed to begin with the processing of the vacant properties as there are no child protection issues or similar concerns with standalone accommodation,” added Deputy Cannon.

“Making contact with thousands of people in a short space of time is a huge job. Although the Red Cross and the Department have contributed significant resources to tackling the task, all organisations must pitch in to ensure we get Ukrainian refugees into safe and secure homes as soon as possible.”

New TG4 series to take viewers on interesting tour of Ireland’s bogs

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March 30, 2022

A new 4-part series on TG4 presented by Manchán Magan will explore our complex relationship with the peatlands of Ireland.

‘An Fód Deireanach’ (The Last Sod) will take viewers on a visually spectacular, informative and entertaining tour of the secret treasure of the country’s landscape.

Each of the four episodes concentrates on a particular aspect of our peatlands. First up Manchán takes a look at climate change, asking ‘can saving our peatlands help save the planet?’

He visits Bord na Móna, who say “the world is changing and we are changing with it”. Investigating where this leaves the average turf cutter, Manchán meets with campaigners who say that without turf cutting rural Ireland can’t survive.

During episode two, Manchán looks at the ecological importance of our peatlands. With Éanna Ní Lamhna, he learns that there is more to the bog than just turf; observing carnivores plants within a fragile ecosystem.

He explores the healing properties of the bog, sampling a popular tonic for the Celtic curse, hemochromatosis.

Also in the series Manchán asks if we can strike a balance between the preservation of our peatlands and the preservation of our culture?

Bogs has been a source of inspiration for artists, poets, and writers from Paul Henry to Seamus Heaney, and a part of our fabric of society for centuries, always there, providing us with a fuel source to cook our food, heat, and light our homes.

But Manchán investigates what lies in store for the future of our peatlands. Managed properly they can provide so much for us, as “a sod of turf is worth more to us in the ground than on the fire.”

Living bogs provide protection against floods, increase biodiversity, improve the quality and amount of our drinking water and they are our greatest natural ally in the fight against carbon. In the series, Manchán questions whether it is time to cut our Fód Deireanach.

The series begins on Thursday April 7 2022 at 8.00pm on TG4

Early recordings of the West to be showcased for first time since 1930

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March 30, 2022

galway daily news tomas o maille recordings showcased for first time since 1930

An extraordinary audio archive from NUI Galway will be showcased at this year’s Cúirt International Festival of Literature in Galway – the first time it been played publicly since 1930.

Nearly 100 years after they were first captured, wax cylinder recordings held in the university’s library were digitised last summer with support from the government.

The recordings were made by Tomás Ó Máille (1880-1938), the inaugural Professor of Irish at NUI Galway who held the professorship from 1909 until his premature death in 1938.

Tomás Ó Máille’s greatest foresight was his commitment to the newest technology of his day – audio recording.

Focusing on folklore, song, and dialects, he created hundreds of recordings of Irish speakers from every county in Connacht and also Co. Clare.

He assisted the recording work of other collectors and scholars including Wilhelm Doegen, head of the Sound Department at the Prussian State Library in Berlin.

In this concert as part of the Cúírt festival, Dr Deirdre Ní Chonghaile will introduce Tomás Ó Máille and his work, along with excerpts of his recordings from the NUI Galway archive.

She will also introduce three special guests – singers Sarah Ghriallais, Mary Staunton and Saileog Ní Cheannabháin, who will perform their own renditions of songs retrieved from Ó Máille’s recordings.

“This event sees one of Ireland’s most significant audio archives come to life for the first time and witnesses songs returning to their rightful place – in each community’s repertoire,” said Dr Ní Chonghaile.

“We are thrilled to partner with Cúirt and Arts-in-Action to celebrate Tomás Ó Máille’s outstanding legacy in capturing artistic treasures of the Irish language from every county west of the Shannon.”

With surtitles in English, An Chartlann Bheo – Animating the Archive takes place at An Taibhdhearc on Wednesday 6 April at 1pm.

It is free to attend but booking is advisable at https://www.cuirt.ie/whats-on/an-chartlann-bheo-animating-the-archive/.

Grants announced for events and activities for young people

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March 30, 2022

€60,000 in funding has been announced by Léargas to support events and activities for young people across Ireland.

The Micro Grant Scheme will support opportunities for Galway young people at a local, national and European level, offering grants of between €500 and €5,000 for events and activities.

Hosted by Léargas initiatives Eurodesk and Youth Wiki, the funding was announced at a ‘Connect with Europe’ event held at the Alex Hotel, attended by Minister Roderic O’Gorman and Maria Walsh MEP.

The grants are available to youth organisations, schools, clubs and community groups, as well as informal groups of young people, from Galway.

It is intended that the money will help support events and activities for young people, such as conferences, workshops, information sessions or consultations, art exhibitions or photography competitions, mini festivals or musical events.

Speaking at the launch of the Scheme, Executive Director of Léargas, Lorraine Gilligan, said that after two years of lockdowns, they are delighted to welcome the European Year of Youth, “to celebrate young people, create new opportunities for them and to shine a light on the brilliant work happening right across the country.”

“At our event we’ve been hearing about the transformative opportunities which Eurodesk and Youth Wiki have helped young people from every background to access, and this new Micro Grant Scheme will make so many more of those opportunities possible,” she said.

“We’ll be announcing details of two national events to celebrate European Year of Youth in the coming months, and we look forward to working with organisations and groups from Galway and across the country to bring the celebrations into every community we can.”

There will be six application deadlines over the course of the year with the first on Friday, 15 April.

Applications are accepted online at https://insights.leargas.ie/european-year-of-youth-micro-grants-application-form-2022.

Further details of opportunities available as part of the European Year of Youth can be found at: www.leargas.ie/european-year-youth-2022/.

Missing woman from Clare found safe and well

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March 30, 2022

galway daily news missing woman county clare

Missing Clare woman Noelle O’Looney has been found safe and well.

The 44-year-old was missing from the Ennistymon area of Co. Clare since Saturday, 26 March.

A member of her family thanked everyone for sharing on social media and for their support.

They said that the response was amazing, and it meant so much to the family.

Galway TD hand-delivers personal stories exposing cost of living crisis to Taoiseach

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March 29, 2022

galway daily news Former east Galway Fianna Fail TD passes away

Roscommon-Galway TD Claire Kerrane has urged the government to take immediate action to help people affected by rising fuel costs.

The Sinn Féin TD hand-delivered to the Taoiseach’s office the personal stories submitted to her party’s cost of living survey, which saw over 10,000 people sharing their experiences of spiralling fuel costs.

Speaking today, Deputy Kerrane thanked everyone who took the time to share their story.

“The government has insisted that they will not act on this crisis until October, but it’s clear that people can’t wait,” she said.

“The cost of living crisis is urgent and people need help now. This government continually acts too late and it isn’t good enough.”

The personal stories submitted to the survey include:

“We have to drive to and from CHI Crumlin as our daughter is undergoing treatment for cancer. This rise in fuel costs has doubled our cost of travel. We can’t use public transport as her immune system is drastically compromised.”

“I am a single mum of a sick 8-month-old, sitting in the freezing cold unable to order oil due to the price of it.”

“As a college student, some days I simply cannot afford to drive to college and so I am missing out on important lectures, which is obviously affecting my grades.”

Deputy Kerrane said people need help, and that they need it now. “I accept that the government cannot do everything, but they can do more,” she said.

“They must cut the cost of energy and fuel. They must go further still, but that would be a good start.”

Free webinar aimed at small and medium businesses in food sector

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March 29, 2022

A free webinar for food sector SMEs and start-ups will take place next Tuesday, 5 April at 1pm as part of a European project funded by the Atlantic Area Programme; AHFES.

Hosted by the Whitaker Institute at NUI Galway, the one-hour webinar will feature insights on the influence of sustainability, culture and consumer preferences.

Speakers include will include Dr Gary Goggins and Maeve Henchion, and there will be a panel questions and answers session during the event.

Dr Jane Walsh, lecturer in the School of Psychology at NUI Galway, said: “We are delighted to deliver this webinar on behalf of AHFES, the future of food is changing, people’s preferences are changing, the environment and sustainability is now a key driver of demand.

“Being able to track current and future trends in food in a rapidly changing world will help SME’s and startup’s to stay on trend in healthy foods.”

Registering for the free event can be done through https://bit.ly/NUIGAHFESAPR22.

Galway University Hospitals cancelling non-urgent procedures due to extreme pressure

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March 29, 2022

Galway University Hospitals continue to be heavily impacted by COVID-19, with added pressure from high numbers of people at the emergency department.

Non-urgent elective procedures are being postponed to the lack of bed capacity at the moment, with urgent, time sensitive cases being prioritised.

There were 50 confirmed cases at GUH as of last night, with three of them in the ICU.

In a statement issued today, the Saolta Hospital Group said that there are currently three wards dedicated to treating patients with COVID-19 and a further six wards have areas dealing with outbreaks.

The number of people presenting to the Emergency Department continues to be very high, with 254 attending yesterday.

“The number of patients with COVID-19 being treated in hospital and the number of people who need to be admitted from the Emergency Department is having a significant impact on bed capacity and as a result patients are currently experiencing significant delays.”

There were 38 patients waiting on trolleys for a bed to become available at UHG this morning.

“The hospital acknowledges that these delays are very difficult for patients and their families and apologises for the inconvenience and distress these delays cause.”

“Every effort is being made to discharge patients who are ready to go home so that beds become available for patients who need to be admitted, at the earliest opportunity.”

Patients whose procedures are being postponed will be contacted by the hospital directly. Saolta has said that the situation is being kept under review.

Outpatient appointments and day case procedures are proceeding as usual and people should come to their appointments unless advised otherwise, or if they have COVID symptoms.

The visiting restrictions imposed due to the outbreaks in hospital remain in place, with visits only allowed on compassionate grounds, if arranged ahead of time.

SOCCER: Moyne Villa qualify for Championship Cup final

By

Martin Hughes

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March 29, 2022

Galway Daily sport The U18 boys at Moyne Villa qualified for the Championship Cup final this weekend after securing a 5-3 victory over St. Bernard's.

The U18 boys at Moyne Villa qualified for the Championship Cup final this weekend after securing a 5-3 victory over St. Bernard’s.

The two clubs met at Abbeyknockmoy.on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon with plenty of sunshine and a dry pitch. It would become a game of two halves.

St Bernards came out strong and physical for which Moyne Villa had no answer, and were not responsive enough to deal with the issues at hand.

That left St Bernard’s 3-0 up after the first 30 minutes. But like the old trusty diesel engine Moyne Villa were gathering steam and slowly building pressure.

In the last 15 minutes of the first half Villa started to take control and after a poor kick from the St Bernards, David Quinn saw an opportunity.

Seeing the keeper off his line, he kicked from almost the halfway line, putting the ball neatly into the net.

Villa continued to dominate in the second half, with replacement Bryan Forde finding the net very quickly, exactly what Villa needed to find their mojo again.

Kieran Donnellan got goal number three not long after, leaving everything to play for.

A penalty not long after seemed like a good chance for Villa to pull ahead, but this was saved.

Nevertheless, with relentless pressure from the team Dean O’Malley got number four after a good assist through the middle from Guzi.

He then went on to also score goal number five after a scramble at the back post.

Villa will now play either Tuam or Colga in the Championship Cup final, to be decided after they have their semi-final on April 7.

Good Samaritan scammed by man saying he couldn’t afford restaurant bill

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March 29, 2022

Galway Daily courts Man charged in connection

A Good Samaritan found herself conned out of €150 she loaned to a man who said that he was short for a restaurant bill, and never paid her back.

Colm Prendergast (52), of Kilchreest, Loughrea was sentenced to two months in prison at Galway District Court by Judge Fiona Lydon this week.

He was sentenced after pleading guilty to Making gain by Deception at the Galleon restaurant in Salthill, under Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001.

On March 17 of 2019, an Ann Donnellan overheard Prendergast on the phone, saying that he was short the cost of the meal.

When they spoke he introduced himself to her using an alias, the court heard.

She gave him €150 to pay for the restaurant meal, believing that he would pay it back the next week.

But the money was never paid back, and she came to believe that she had been deceived.

Solicitor for the defence Mr John Martin said that his client had a long standing gambling vice, but that he was addressing it.

He had been low on money at the time, and wanted to apologise to the woman

In addition, he said that there was €150 in court to repay Ms Donnellan.

The court heard that Prendergast had 14 previous convictions, including three for similar offences.

Leave to appeal was granted on the defendant’s own bond of €300, and an independent surety of €300, with no cash to be lodged with the court.

Temperatures to plummet below zero this week

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March 29, 2022

Galway Daily weather weather warning for low temperature and ice

After a mini summer experience, temperatures in Galway are set to plummet this week, dropping below zero in places.

Today will remain quite bright and warm, with sunshine forecast for the early afternoon, but with more cloud cover developing later.

Highest temperatures today of 13 to 15 degrees, with a mild variable breeze throughout the day.

Overnight there will be a possibility of the odd scattered shower, with some mist and fog developing, and temperatures reaching lows of 2 to 5 degrees.

Wednesday will be overcast, though with some clear spells, and more light scattered showers.

Temperatures will reach highs of 8 to 10 degrees on Wednesday, with a light southerly breeze getting stronger and veering north easterly as the day progresses.

Overnight into Thursday will be the coldest part of the week according to Met Eireann, with temperatures dropping below zero in places.

Thursday will be bright and chilly, with clear sunny skies for most of the day, but with cold morning temperatures, before reaching highs of 8 degrees in the afternoon.

Friday morning will see the mercury dip to -1 again in the early hours, but it is forecast to get a warmer later in the day, with highs of 7 to 8 degrees.

Galway allocated €4.5m for housing adaptation grants

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March 29, 2022

Galway Daily news IWA launching Disability Action Group in Tuam

Almost €4.5 million in funding for housing adaptation grants for older people and those with a disability in Galway has been announced this week.

Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien has this week announced that €81.25 million in funding for housing adaptation grants will be available in 2022.

This represents an 8.3% increase in funding for the programme on last year, the Minister said.

In Galway City there is a total of €1,168,836 available this year, and in Galway County the programme has €3,306,875 for grants.

“I am delighted to be in a position to allocate increased funding to each local authority so that they can continue to support older people and those with a disability to live independently,” Minister O’Brien said.

“Importantly, home adaptations help reduce the dependency on our health services by supporting independent living for as long as possible,” he added.

He added that it also creates work among local contractors, in a boon for the economy.

The housing adaptation grants programme is 80% funded by the Department, with the remaining 20% coming from the local authority.

Grants of up to €30,000 are available to assist people with a disability in carrying out necessary works to make a house more suitable for their needs.

Additionally, grants of up to €8,000 are available to assist older people to have repairs or improvements carried out on their homes, and up €6,000 is available for mobility aids.

Minister of State Peter Burke said that these grants have a “huge impact” on the quality of life of people with a disability, and older people with mobility issues.

Construction industry in crisis says Galway TD

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March 29, 2022

Galway Daily news Additional Dog fines will have little effect without more Dog Wardens

The construction industry is in a crisis due to the massive increases in costs and the fact that Public Works Contracts have fixed prices, a Galway TD has said.

Galway East TD Seán Canney said that contractors are losing millions due to rising costs, and that they cannot recover these losses as their Public Works Contracts are fixed price.

He said that contractors entered these contracts in good faith and would have priced normal inflation in their tenders.

“Due to the unprecedented level of increases in the cost of materials, contractors cannot sustain such a level of loss. In fact, it may be considered reckless trading,” said Deputy Canney.

“The fear is that Contractors will walk away from Public Works Contracts and they are reluctant to price for works because of the uncertainty in material prices.”

Deputy Canney said that the net effect is that contractors will go out of the business, workers will lose their jobs and the delivery of housing and other vital infrastructure will stop or be seriously delayed.

He added that civil engineering contractors are beginning to turn their back on Ireland and are concentrating their focus on work in the UK where fairer Public Works Contracts are in use.

“The Government need to act swiftly in this emergency and immediately introduce a contract clause to allow contractors recover the increases which are unprecedented and unsustainable.”

Gardaí appeal for missing woman in the West

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March 29, 2022