Director of WHO to speak at NUI Galway today and tomorrow

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September 3, 2021

Galway daily news Almost 3,500 Galway students receiving Leaving Cert results

More than 3,000 students in Galway are getting their Leaving Cert results today, both from sitting the exams and accredited grades.

There are 1,577 girls and 1,606 boys in Galway sitting the regular Leaving Cert this year, along with another 126 students taking the Leaving Cert Applied.

There has been a sharp increase in the number of students receiving top marks this year, after an academic year which was heavily disrupted by the pandemic.

Students had multiple options this year, either to sit regular exams or receiving an accredited grade based on their teachers estimate.

They also had the option of choosing both, and automatically receiving whichever was the higher of the two grades.

“I would like to congratulate each and every one of the students who will receive their results today,” said Education Minister Norma Foley. “Today is the reward for all your efforts throughout the past number of years.”

“Students and their families have displayed great resilience in what has been a difficult experience in the last two school years and I wish all of those receiving their results today every success and happiness as they embark on the next stage in their journey, to work, including apprenticeships, or to further and higher education.”

In total there are 61,125 students in the country receiving their results today across the different tracks of the Leaving Cert.

The State Examinations Committee said that it has sought to ensure that the class of 2021 were treated as “fairly and equitably” as possible considering the disruption of the pandemic.

The decision to provide both accredited grades and examination results was aimed at achieving this objective, with SEC Chair Pat Burke saying that this approach was “unprecedented” across all jurisdictions.

Of the students finishing secondary school this year, some 52,680 opted for a mix of examinations and accredited results, sitting at least one exam.

There were just 185 students in the country who only sat exams, without any estimated grades, and just over 5,000 young people opted solely for accredited grades.

COVID cases increase at UHG but ICU numbers down

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September 3, 2021

The number of people hospitalised with COVID-19 at University Hospital Galway has increased to 34 in the latest figures from the HSE.

That is an increase of four confirmed cases at the hospital on the previous day.

However, the number of COVID patients at UHG who are in the ICU has continued to decline, and there are now four people there receiving critical care for the disease.

At Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe there are three confirmed cases, and one of those patients is in intensive care.

Nationwide there were 352 people hospitalised with COVID as of Thursday night, of whom 59 are in the ICU.

A further 1,751 confirmed cases in Ireland were reported by the Department of Health yesterday.

St Jarlath’s college given green light for sports facilities

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September 3, 2021

Galway Daily sport Planning permission refused for Oughterard sports facilities

St. Jarlath’s college in Tuam has been given the green light by the county council to proceed with plans for a new sports facility and pitch.

Planning permission has been granted to the school’s board of management for a full-sized, synthetic grass pitch, with a surrounding track and fencing, along with eight floodlights covering the pitch.

The new pitch is meant to make up for a lack of one suitable for playing matches, as the school currently only has a training pitch.

The school will also build a new sports building/club house complete with changing rooms, a gym, and a multi-purpose room.

The new pitch and sports facility will be built on a green area next to the 10.1ha grounds of St. Jarlath’s college, and will be accessed through the existing road to the school.

“St. Jarlath’s College has a strong sporting tradition, particularly in Gaelic Football. The college is the most successful GAA Colleges Team in Ireland with 12 Hogan cups,” the design statement for the project said.

“The existing playing pitches are suitable for training only. St. Jarlath’s currently have to travel outside of school grounds to play college games.”

The College have GAA representative teams in football and hurling at first year, Juvenile, Junior, and Senior. The school also caters for rugby and soccer teams.”

“The proposed facility will provide for the school to play games on school campus. Modern sports and strength and conditioning is an important part of sports teams preparation. The gym will provide for this.”

“The multi-purpose room will provide for preparation and catering, associated games, and other ancillary activities.”

Plans for the sports facility and pitch include 45 car parking spaces, as well as a full sized bus parking space and 20 bicycle spaces.

“Many of the games will be outside of school hours, therefore there is a requirement for parents of the home team to drop off and collect players. Also a percentage of parents will want to attend the game,” the design statement read.

The county council’s planning inspector said that the facilities would be a “welcome addition” to those that already exist in the area, and would integrate well into the grounds of St. Jarlath’s.

Before any sub-surface work on sight, the board must hire an archaeologist to carry out an assessment of the site, as St Jarlath’s College itself is a protected structure, though this construction is outside of its curtilage.

Planning permission was granted by the county council with a total of twelve standard conditions attached.

City Council seeking planning permission for 71 social houses

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September 3, 2021

Galway Daily news Planning appeal over 91 houses & apartments in Athenry

Galway City Council has announced its intention to seek planning permission for 71 social houses on the western outskirts of the city.

The council intends to build 71 houses, ranging from one to four bedroom units and including traveller specific accommodation, at Keeraun on the Ballymoneen Road.

The proposed housing would consist of 4 one-bedroom units, 34 two-bedroom homes, 22 three-bedroom houses, 3 four-bedroom units, and 8 Traveller Appropriate Accommodation units.

Other works involved in the project will include associated carparking and bicycle parking, green spaces & landscaping, connection to existing services and all ancillary/enabling site development works.

The City Council has given notice that it intends to make a planning application to An Bord Pleanála for these social houses.

The plans, including a Natura Impact Statement and Environmental Impact Assessment Screening Report will be available to inspect at city hall during the week from September 6 through to October 18.

Public submissions related to the plans can be made to An Bord Pleanála for a period during the application project.

Two NUI Galway researchers awarded prestigious Lero Director’s Prizes

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September 3, 2021

Two world-leading researchers at NUI Galway have been awarded Lero Director’s Prizes at an online ceremony which was held yesterday.

Dr Cornelia Connolly received the Lero Director’s Prize for Diversity and Inclusion, while the Lero Director’s Prize for Education and Public Engagement went to Professor Derek O’Keeffe.

The prizes were presented at the annual gathering of Lero members, which was held online again this year due to the pandemic.

The awards are presented by Lero, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Software, to honour members working with the industry-focused research centre which brings together software teams from 12 academic partner universities and institutes across Ireland.

Speaking at the annual conference, Professor Brian Fitzgerald, Director of Lero, told members their software development and research activities were critical as their work has the capacity to impact people’s lives at a fundamental level.

“Software impacts every aspect of our lives and can enable us to solve problems at a global and local level by harnessing the vast amounts of information that we as a society have accrued,” he said.

Professor Fitzgerald said Lero’s work can help alleviate suffering and hardship, improve people’s lives and make the best of scarce resources.

“These are ground-breaking tasks we set ourselves. However, we have a duty to lead the way and ensure that software is developed ethically and that we work hard to make sure there are no unintended consequences that could detrimentally effect individuals or society.”

The 2021 Lero Director’s Prize for Research Excellence was awarded jointly to the University of Limerick’s Professor Conor Ryan and JJ Collins, and the University College Dublin’s Professor Mike O’Neill for their research on grammatical evolution.

The Professor Rory O’Connor Prize for Outstanding Service to Lero is a highlight of the annual Lero Director’s Prize, and this year’s recipient is Susan Mitchell of University of Limerick. The prize is named in honour of the late Professor Rory O’Connor, of Dublin City University and Lero.

Home builders in Ireland get the ‘Wow’ factor using Virtual Reality

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September 2, 2021

Thousands of Irish home builders are using Virtual Reality to improve their house design and save time and money.

For many people who are building a new home, two dimensional plans of a building can be difficult to visualise.

Visualising the actual space that a room will consist of is extremely important for home builders, so that they can avoid post-build discoveries such as there being more or less room than they envisioned.

But for those embarking on the home building journey, Virtual Teic has a revolutionary solution to this lack of spatial awareness that many struggle with.

Virtual Teic builds 3D computer models of houses and other buildings for clients so they can see how their building will look before they start building or renovating or extending.

With the furnished model on the computer and the 3D experience of viewing with walls, windows and doors, it is much easier for people renovating or building to see what the finished product will look like.

There’s also the added option of being able to put on Virtual Reality goggles and walk through the computer model, and this has been a revelation for all of Virutal Teic’s clients to date.

The company is headed by Paul McMahon, who moved to Ireland from Scotland 20 years ago. His background is in graphic design – specifically web design – but also design for print.

“For the last number of years, I have been working with 3D software building architectural computer models for estate agents and architects,” Paul explained.

“For the last two years I have been building architectural 3D computer models for house builders, families building a home, architects and professional builders.”

Speaking about how he came up with the idea for the business, Paul said that he saw how the technology had advanced over the last few years, and how the price of computer hardware and software had come down in relation to more powerful computer processing.

“The opportunity to create online models and models that can use Virtual Reality for ordinary people to actually walk through has become available,” he said.

“I thought that this would be a better tool for clients to use Virtual Reality to see the building the way it looks before they start building thus saving them money, stress and time when they go to build. Easier to change something on the computer model than when the house is built!”

Visit virtualteic.com to find out more, or contact Paul at Virtual Teic at +353 (0)89-247-9088

COVID-19: 1,751 new cases reported in Ireland

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September 2, 2021

Galway Daily news Galway hospitals see COVID cases double in recent weeks

There have been a further 1,751 new cases of COVID-19 reported by the Department of Health in Ireland today.

As of this morning there were 343 people in the country in hospital with the disease.

Of those patients, 59 have been admitted for treatment in the intensive care unit.

Only today have health officials started back using the HSE-HPSC Computerised Infectious Disease Reporting system to report the number of new cases daily.

This system was taken offline by the cyber-attack on the HSE over the summer, and an alternative system was put in place.

As a result of data validation from that period, the total number of COVID cases reported from May 15 to the end of August has been revised downwards by approximately 1,700 cases.

This amounts to roughly 1.7% of the total amount of cases reported during this period.

Manufacturing plant in Glenamaddy now powered by 100% renewable energy

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September 2, 2021

galway daily manufacturer renewable energy — Peter Flanagan, Site Manager and John McDermott, Procurement Manager

Kingspan Water & Energy in Glenamaddy has become the first manufacturing plant within the company’s global network to have its manufacturing process completely powered by renewable energy.

The move to renewable energy has been a gradual transition over the past five years and following installation of BioLPG in July, the site is now 100% powered by renewable energy.

Kingspan Glenamaddy manufactures storage solutions for numerous sectors including agri, water, domestic as well as specialist custom tanks as part of Kingspan’s Water & Energy Division.

Peter Flanagan, Site Manager at Glenamaddy, said the introduction of renewable electricity to the site has delivered a significant reduction in carbon emissions.

“This was the first step in transitioning the plant to meet its Planet Passionate targets, and we’re both proud and delighted that the introduction of another renewable and sustainable energy resource – BioLPG – has enabled us to reach our goal of the plant being powered by 100% renewable energy,” said Peter Flanagan.

Kingspan Glenamaddy also ensures that no waste goes to landfill and is now ‘zero waste to landfill’ and the business has recently installed rainwater harvesting on site as it looks to further integrate sustainable technologies throughout the Kingspan base in Glenamaddy.

“Our rainwater harvesting tank is expected to displace the use of 100,000 litres of mains water per annum, reducing pressure on the local drainage systems and reusing a precious resource,” added Peter Flanagan.

Speaking about the business’s ten-year sustainability programme, Aidan Roberts from Kingspan Water & Energy explains that their commitment to sustainability is embedded across the Group by the Planet Passionate programme.

“Our goal is to reduce carbon (CO₂e) emissions to as close to zero as technically possible in manufacturing, together with halving carbon intensity in our primary supply chain,” he said.

“By 2030, we have committed to net zero carbon manufacturing, and to reach this goal, it will require the transformation of Kingspan’s processes across its sites.

“The transition of our sites in Glenamaddy, County Galway and Aston Clinton, Buckinghamshire, to being entirely powered by renewable energy is an illustration of our commitment in reaching these goals and we’re delighted that these sites will be the first of many to be powered solely by renewable energy.”

Galway Minister launches campaign against sharing intimate pictures without consent

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September 2, 2021

Galway Daily news campaign against sharing intimate images

Galway TD and Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton has launched a government campaign combatting the sharing of intimate images without people’s consent.

As part of this, the Department of Justice has launched a new tool, Hotline, where people can report illegal content being shared online

Launching the campaign, Minister Naughton said that it is “abhorrent” to share intimate images without someone’s permission, adding that it can have “long lasting and harmful” effects on people, emotionally and mentally.

The Hotline tool allows members of the public to make a report directly online to Hotline.ie/report, and the service will then work to get any images or videos removed from the internet.

Along with this, the Department of Justice is also running an awareness campaign to highlight sharing intimate images of another person without their consent is now a crime punishable by up to seven years in prison.

“Sharing or threatening to share intimate images is a form of abuse, and there are no excuses for it. Motivations don’t matter,” Hildegarde Naughton said.

“If you share an intimate image without consent, you share in the abuse and there is legislation in place with appropriate punitive measures that will challenge the actions of these abusers.”

Coco’s Law, otherwise known as the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act, was enacted last February to criminalise sharing pictures of someone without their consent.

The awareness campaign also includes a number of new videos and social media assets, as well as a 30-second advertisement developed by creative agency TBWA, which will be running on video on demand, YouTube, and other social media platforms.

Independent research commissioned by the Department of Justice found that one adult in 20 claims to have had an intimate image of themselves shared to an online or social media site without consent.

This is even more of a problem among younger people aged 18-24 and 25-37, where as many as one in ten people have had such images shared.

This research found that the most common motivations for people who post these pictures are for fun, they don’t think it’s a big deal, and to explicitly cause pain to the other person.

One woman whose life has been severely impacted by this is Alexandra Ryan, Founder and CEO of Goss Media. Five years ago a man she was in a relationship with secretly filmed her in an intimate setting, and that video later found its way online.

Ms Ryan is telling her story as part of the awareness campaign to help encourage other victims to report this crime.

“When I found out that someone I trusted had taken an intimate video of me without my knowledge or consent, I felt utterly helpless and alone.”

“The footage was then taken by another woman and shared, again without my consent. At that time, there was no law against filming or sharing intimate footage without consent. I felt broken, judged and ashamed.”

“It took me five years to tell my story and I can honestly say that this horrific exploitation has caused endless emotional pain and suffering that I still battle to this very day.”

“I think it’s important now more than ever to give a voice to victims who have been through something similar, or in some cases, a lot worse.”

She said that this legislation will be a lifeline for victims, and let everyone know, victims and abusers alike, that there will be consequences.

Bewley’s Coffee Morning to support Galway Hospice

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September 2, 2021

galway daily news coffee morning for galway hospice — Photo Caption: Ollie Turner & Neil Molloy from Galway Bay FM's Mollie in the Morning supporting Bewley’s Big Coffee Morning Social For Hospice in aid of Galway Hospice. Photo: Seán Lydon.

People in Galway are being asked to support Galway Hospice by participating in Bewley’s Big Coffee Morning Social For Hospice on Thursday 23 September.

Those who wish to register to host a coffee morning will receive free Bewley’s coffee, and they will be helping Galway Hospice to continue providing care to patients and their loved ones.

Mary Nash, Galway Hospice Chief Executive, said that the Hospice team continues to work incredibly hard to support patients living with a life limiting illness to live the best life they can.

She said that at any one time, their Community Palliative Care Team is supporting on average 260 patients and families at home in the community.

“We are only able to support patients on their individual journeys thanks to the wonderful support of the people of Galway.

“We simply couldn’t continue our care without your support. Every small donation makes such a difference to the lives of the people who need our services.

“Please support Hospice Coffee Morning in whatever way you can this September and help make our work possible,” said Mary.

Register to host a Hospice Coffee Morning and receive free Bewley’s Coffee at www.hospicecoffeemorning.ie, email fundraising@galwayhospice.ie or call 091-770868.

Donate the cost of a cup of coffee to Galway Hospice by texting GHF to 50300. (Text Costs €4. Galway Hospice will receive a minimum of €3.60.

GMIT plans phased return to campus from Sep 20

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September 2, 2021

GMIT has published its plan for reopening the campus this academic year, with in-person activities returning on a phased basis from September 20.

This is when the first students will be returning to GMIT, those who are continuing their courses, followed by incoming 1st year students on Monday, September 27.

The “First Five Weeks Welcome and Induction Programme” will see GMIT prioritizing small group teaching activities on-site for all students such as labs, workshops, practical classes and tutorials.

This semester at least, some activities will still be delivered online, while courses will have a blended approach to in-person and online teaching.

All student services will also be adopting this hybrid model, with in-person and online appointments to be available for student counselling, access & disability services, student health, careers and chaplaincy services.

Dr Orla Flynn, President of GMIT, said that the focus on small group activities at first is about building, or rebuilding, connections with students after a year away from the campus.

“We want to renew connection with our returning students and take the opportunity to get to know our new incoming first years and, in some cases, second years who missed out on on-campus activities last year.”

“While the roll-out of the Government’s vaccination programme has been better than many people expected, we want to encourage all our students to avail of the opportunity to get vaccinated, if not completed already.”

“We are looking forward to welcoming our students onsite and we’re aiming for a healthy and safe commencement of the new academic year.”

The GMIT reopening plan has been based on the government’s Safe Return Plan, which was published in June, and national plans which the Cabinet approved at the beginning of this week.

Capacity for rooms in all GMIT campuses will be based on the World Health Organisation (WHO) ventilation guidelines.

Libraries, common rooms, canteens and cafes will be open and additional outdoor spaces and overflow areas will be set up in internal courtyards with marquees and pop-up canopies where needed.

All Clubs & Societies activities will resume as normal in accordance with Government guidelines for sports and leisure activities.

It is anticipated that public events such as Open Days, Careers & Recruitment Fairs, student exhibitions, conference, seminars and guest lectures will return on-site in line with Government guidelines as the year progresses.

Two Galway organisations receive CLÁR funding for new vehicles

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September 2, 2021

Galway Daily news Details announced for reopened Pandemic Unemployment scheme

Two organisations in Galway will receive funding for new vehicles under the CLÁR programme, Minister Heather Humphreys has announced.

Ability West in Mountbellew will receive €54,000 for a bus, and almost €43,000 will be given to East Galway and Midlands Cancer Support to purchase a vehicle.

Nearly €750,000 will be provided to 14 organisations in the State that provide free transport for cancer patients so that they can attend medical appointments.

The vehicles can be used to assist people who use wheelchairs and they will also be used to transport people to day care centres to give respite to family members who are caring for loved ones.

“This funding will ensure some of the most vulnerable people in our communities can access vital supports or attend medical appointments,” Minister Heather Humphreys said today.

“It also reflects a commitment in the Government’s rural development policy, ‘Our Rural Future’, to improve transport and accessibility in Rural Ireland.

“The organisations receiving this funding are voluntary and community-based. They provide their services free of charge and I want to commend them for the invaluable work they do.”

Love Galway City: Big Beach Clean-up this month

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September 2, 2021

Galway Daily news Love Galway City: Big Beach Clean-up this month

Galway’s beaches have been a source of joy for many this summer, giving people a chance to get out and stretch their legs in the sun when the good weather finally came and we were able to meet up with friends again.

The downside of having so many people make use of Galway’s beaches is the litter that can come with from having large crowds.

If you’ve enjoyed your share of beach time this summer and want to give back, or simply want to look after your local area, Galway City Council and Clean Coasts are organising a day of beach cleanups across the city this month.

The Love Galway City: Big Beach Clean will take place on Saturday, September 18 as part of a nationwide weekend initiative by Clean Coasts.

From 10am to 4pm that day skips will be placed at Ballyloughane Beach, Claddagh Hall, and Hunter’s Park (Lough Rusheen Park, Barna Road) for individuals and groups who want to participate in caring for their local stretch of coastline.

Items which won’t be accepted at these skips include any bulky goods such as furniture or mattresses, hazardous waste, household waste, green waste, textiles, or electric goods.

In order to take part by hosting a group, people can register online at https://cleancoasts.org/our-initiatives/big-beach-clean/ to receive their clean-up kit.

Department approves 58 home Athenry social housing project

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September 2, 2021

Galway Daily news Planning permission extended to build 113 houses in Moycullen

Plans for the construction of a new social housing development in Athenry have taken a step forward, with approval from the Department of Housing.

Galway TD Anne Rabbitte said that she has received confirmation that the Department has granted approval in principle for the 58 social homes.

The turnkey social housing estate will be built at Cullairbaun on the western side of Athenry Town.

“Athenry is a thriving community and one with so much potential” Anne Rabbitte said, adding, “The town is crying out for new housing, both social and affordable, and this goes some way towards meeting this demand.”

“Located close to the town centre, these social homes will breathe new life into the area,” the Fianna Fáil TD enthused.

“I know the team in Galway County Council really welcome this development as well and are keen to see progress made as soon as possible.

I thank Minister O’Brien and his Department for their work to date to ensure this development gets over the line in a timely fashion,” concluded Minister Rabbitte.

Current trends in the Irish online casino world

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Thomas O'Brien

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September 2, 2021

The country is recovering after COVID-19. What is the future of the gambling industry?

The biggest factor in the development of digital technologies in the past and this year was the spread of the virus.

While land-based establishments in Ireland were standing with their doors closed and suffered huge losses every day, losing absolutely the entire audience, a real boom was taking place on online platforms – hundreds of thousands of people deprived of the opportunity to move and go out found salvation in the form of online casinos.

Irish gambling sites began and continue to report a rapid growth in numbers: both in the amount of active online audience and in financial indicators.

In Europe as a whole, it is expected that the share of profit from casinos will increase to 35% by 2025. Taking into account such dynamics in the market, it is predicted that the rapid growth of online gambling will continue.

And all this will be accompanied by new trends and the use of non-standard approaches.

Relocation of the Irish audience

Now the industry is gradually returning to its usual course, attracting more and more users to join. Experts agreed that the coming years will bring a trend for growing amount of online casinos.

And accordingly, the number of of land-based places in Ireland will be reduced. The period from 2021 to 2023 will also be actively used by major Irish casinos to gain more gamblers.

Major Tendencies for Today

According to experts, the emerging competition will affect the business in next ways:

● We can observe the growing number of registration bonuses, cashback, and other promotional offers. Also, they will become more profitable to attract new users.

● There will be a big growth in the number of games in existing gaming places: more and more new 3D slot machines, live and VR games, and other gambling content will appear soon.

● The frequency of tournaments will be increased, which is already seen on the example of the best Irish casinos. The growth of the audience contributes to the improvement of interactivity since it is the main tool for maintaining interest in the game.

The fact that experts write about the best online slots in Ireland is an illustrative example of how the gambling business service is evolving. Fast money withdrawal, bonuses without inflated wagers, round-the-clock support service and other standards of foreign clubs that were not previously observed became available to Irish players.

The entry of cryptocurrencies into the life of an online casino

The development of cryptocurrencies could not stay unnoticed in the online casino market.

Sites will have to force the introduction of new technologies as a reaction to COVID-19 and increased competition.

According to information Irish IT experts, the gambling industry is one of the three most adaptable areas for blockchain and cryptocurrencies.

The main advantages of this virtual currency include:

● No control by the banking systems.

● The ability to save cryptocurrency or exchange it for game money.

● Instant payments will become the standard in all casinos that want to survive in the current competition.

According to Irish experts, the domestic market of the country will be ready for the introduction of blockchain into the life of gambling clubs operating online.

Mobile Phones are on the top of everything

Over the past five years, the number of smartphone users to go online has increased from 10% to almost 50%. Such figures were provided by several reputable research sites.

It is expected that the number of mobile users will continue to grow rapidly. And this is not surprising, given the convenience and ease of using smartphones for gambling: you can play from anywhere in the world, at any time and in any game.

Man arrested in €30,000 Tuam drugs seizure

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September 2, 2021

Galway Daily news missing teen found safe

One man was arrested in connection with a €30,000 drugs seizure in Tuam on Wednesday.

Shortly before 5pm on Wednesday members of the Galway Divisional Drugs unit – assisted by the Tuam Crime Unit – stopped and searched a vehicle in the outskirts of Tuam town.

During the course of this search cocaine worth €20,000 (pending analysis) was located concealed in the vehicle.

Gardaí conducted a follow up search at a house in Tuam town and discovered a further €10,000 worth of suspected cocaine.

A man in his early 20s was arrested in connection with these seizures.

He was detained under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at Tuam Garda Station yesterday.

He has since been released without charge and a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecution.

COVID-19: 1,789 cases reported today

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September 1, 2021

Galway Daily news 25 percent drop in COVID cases in Galway hospitals

There have been a further 1,789 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported by the Department of Health today.

As of this morning there are 360 people in Ireland being treated for COVID at hospital.

Of these, there are 56 patients in serious condition who have been admitted to the ICU.

Daily case numbers may change in the future after data is reviewed and validated.

Public transport has become the first element of the country to see all lockdown restrictions lifted, with 100% capacity allowed again, though passengers are still required to wear masks.

Galway TD calls on Government to tackle vacant sites

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September 1, 2021

galway daily mairead farrell td sinn fein nurses midwives pay

Galway West TD Mairéad Farrell has called on the Government to tackle vacant sites across the country, saying they have long plagued Galway City and many other towns and villages.

The Sinn Féin TD welcomed news that the demolition of the Corrib Great Southern Hotel is beginning this week – but said that the fact that it has been lying idle for so long highlights inaction on vacant sites.

“In the last number of weeks I have raised this with both Minister Éamon Ryan and Minister Paschal Donohoe,” said Deputy Farrell.

“While both Ministers are quick to advocate for the Local Property Tax, a tax on people’s homes, what swift action is being taken to deal with sites which have been vacant for long periods of time?

“The Government need to take a real look at how they deal with vacant sites going forward as, to me, the Corrib Great Southern Hotel is just the tip of the iceberg.”

Galway International Arts Festival announces extra tickets

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September 1, 2021