Coronavirus: Level 3 COVID-19 restrictions to come into effect midnight Tuesday

-

October 5, 2020

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

A total of 518 new cases of Covid-19 have been reported by the Department of Health today.

The highest numbers of new cases were in Dublin (134), Cork (53), Limerick (49), Donegal (34) and Meath (32), and the remaining 216 cases are spread across 20 other counties.

No additional deaths were reported by health officials today for the second day.

Of today’s reported cases, 68% are under 45 years of age and 30% are confirmed to be associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case.

The latest hospital figures show that there are currently 150 people with Covid-19 in hospitals across the State. Twenty-three people are in ICU.

Dr Tony Holohan, who has resumed his role as Chief Medical Officer, said that we have seen in recent days a significant and concerning deterioration in the epidemiological situation nationally.

“It is vital that we do everything in our power now to arrest the current trajectory nationally and very substantially suppress the virus back down to a low level of transmission in advance of the winter months,” he said.

“Do not become distracted from the core public health messages; wash hands regularly, keep your distance, wear face coverings where appropriate, avoid crowded environments, cut your social contacts down to minimum levels, know the symptoms and isolate yourself and contact your GP immediately if you experience them.”

“Chaotic” morning of arson and burglary earns man prison sentence

By

-

October 5, 2020

Galway Daily courts Man sent to trial charged with pulling knife on Garda

A chaotic morning saw a man commit arson at a building site to try and cover up his presence and clear out an apartment while the occupant was sleeping, earning him a three and a half year prison sentence.

Shane Davis (28), with an address at Camilaun Park, Newcastle, had previously pleaded guilty to arson and aggravated burglary at Galway Circuit Court.

At a sentencing hearing last week Judge Francis Comerford imposed concurrent sentences of three and half years for the burglary, and three years for the arson.

He suspended the final 18 months of the burglary sentence, and last 15 months of the arson sentence.

Detective Garda Jason Kelly told the court that the arson occurred in the very early hours of the morning of August 29, 2019 at a construction site on the Presentation Road, and did more than €14,000 worth of damage.

Davis broke into a van on the site of several townhouse under construction, and shortly afterwards lit a piece of paper on fire to ignite the van before leaving.

The van was completed destroyed by the fire, as were roughly 150 scaffold planks stacked nearby, and damage was also done to the gutters and façade of one house, and a forklift parked nearby.

Davis was caught on CCTV leaving the scene of the arson, the total bill of which came to €14,306.

When questioned by Gardaí about it later that day, Davis said that he started the fire because he was afraid of leaving fingerprints behind.

The burglary took place that same morning, around 7:30am at Westend Apartments on Dominick Street. Davis gained entry to an apartment via an open window and completely cleared the place out.

It was charged as aggravated burglary as he had a knife on him at the time, but the defence said that this was a “technical” detail of the charge, as he never produced it, and the victim slept through the entire affair.

The victim of this burglary is a 78 year old man who live in Ballina. He had rented an apartment in Galway as he was receiving treatment for a heart condition here.

He delivered a victim impact statement in August in which he said that he was forced to seek help from a neighbour while nude, as Davis had taken everything from the apartment but his glasses.

Fortunately Gardaí were able to recover all of the property in a matter of hours when they found Davis after being called to a shelter, where a man had presented himself in an intoxicated state and staff needed assistance.

CCTV footage from the 4 Aces Casino across the street was viewed, and showed a man in a black hat and grey hoodie, the same clothes Davis was wearing when they arrived at the shelter.

All of the stolen personal items were found on him and returned to the victim within three hours.

A flick knife had been taken from Davis by staff at the shelter, and when interviewed by Gardaí he admitted he had it on him when he committed the burglary, but that he didn’t intend to use it.

“I wasn’t going to use the knife, I’m not a violent person. I don’t have a violent past,” he told Gardaí.

Garda Kelly said that Davis could be seen “swaying back and forth on CCTV”, and the court heard that both offences were committed under the influence of drugs taken earlier that day.

He was fully cooperative with Gardaí when questioned, and made full admissions to what he could remember of the day.

The Circuit Court heard the Davis has 66 previous convictions, but no history of violence in his criminal record.

“In effect the last 10 years of his life have been lost to drug addiction,” Mr Davis’ barrister said, adding that he does well in custody, but that he falls back into bad habits when out.

Judge Comerford said that this case “illustrates the extent to which drugs can destroy a person’s life”, noting that Davis was “plagued by addictions” at the time of this offence, and that Probation Services say that he is keen to seek treatment.

He also accepted that these were “chaotic, opportunistic” crimes, rather than premeditated offences, and there was a “good indication” of the potential for rehabilitation in the probation report.

One condition of the suspension of part of his sentences is that he must engage with Probation Services to seek addiction counselling, and residential treatment in particular.

Death, deceit, and betrayal tear Ros na Rún apart

By

-

October 5, 2020

Galway Daily television Death, deceit, and betrayal tear Ros na Rún apart

Death, deceit, and betrayal bring Ros na Rún to the attention of the Gardaí this week as some characters lives are torn apart, and others move headlong towards dangerous collisions.

A devastated Áine and Tadhg arrive home from the hospital. Áine is struggling to cope with the loss of her mother and questions why her body has not been released from the morgue.

Tadhg, wanting to protect his daughter, does not want to tell Áine that Frances death is being investigated, a decision he may come to regret.

Sick with worry about Dee and Bláithín, Mack wants to contact the Gardaí, but decides against it after Noreen convinces.

But once he realises her main concern is Dee’s reputation, Mack decides to take things into his own hands.

Colm also wants to go to the Gardaí as he rebels against the prospect of being Caitríona’s scapegoat.

She manages to talk him out of it, citing how awful it will be for Maeve, but Colm puts one condition on his silence.

Niall, no thanks to Coilí Jackie, discovers what was said in court about Bobbi Lee and Andy, leaving him shocked and saddened that Bobbi Lee didn’t tell him herself.

Catch all of this and more in Ros na Rún this Tuesday at 8:30pm on TG4, with more to follow on Thursday evening.

People urged to take part in online Diabetes prevention survey

By

-

October 5, 2020

Researchers from NUI Galway are inviting people to take part in a survey to share their views on Diabetes, diet, exercise and a programme that uses a smartphone app and live health coaching to help people improve their health.

The Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes study is a 15-minute online survey that is open to all people aged over 18 living in Ireland, and the findings will be crucial to developing an online Diabetes Prevention Programme.

Type 2 Diabetes can be prevented through healthy eating and regular physical activity. However, maintaining healthy behaviours can be challenging, particularly during a pandemic.

In Ireland, over 800,000 adults over 40 either have, or are at risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes.

“We aim not only to prevent Diabetes, but help people to better manage their diet, exercise, and daily stress in the long run,” said Luke Van Rhoon, PhD Candidate in Health Psychology at NUI Galway.

“This is particularly important as we currently face many new physical and psychological challenges due to the emergence of Covid-19.”

He said that technology is becoming increasingly vital in the self-management of our health and how we communicate with health care professionals, friends, and family.

“Although online Diabetes Prevention Programmes have been successfully implemented in other countries, it is important to create a unique programme that suits the needs of the Irish population.”

This study is funded by the Irish Research Council and is supervised by Professor Molly Byrne and Dr Jenny McSharry, Directors of the Health Behaviour Change Research Group at NUI Galway.

“In Ireland, like in many countries around the world, we are seeing an increasing prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes in the community, linked with growing levels of obesity and lower levels of physical activity,” said Professor Molly Byrne.

“Developing new programmes which people really want to engage with to prevent Diabetes is a priority for our health services.

“Online programmes can overcome some of the challenges affecting face-to-face programmes and we now know from the research that digital health interventions can be effective in increasing physical activity, changing diets and promoting weight loss.

“Our research which is being conducted in collaboration with the National Programme for Diabetes, will provide really important findings to ensure that online Diabetes Prevention programmes which are developed in Ireland are usable by the people who will benefit most from them.”

For more information about the Diabetes Prevention Study visit, http://www.pret2d.com/survey or to request a paper-based survey with free return postage, contact Luke Van Rhoon at l.vanrhoon1@nuigalway.ie.

All participants will be entered into a draw to win one of two €100 One4All gift cards. There is also the opportunity to participate in a follow-up phone or video interview study, if participants choose to do so.

Job vacancy: Exciting opportunity in Galway city for Junior Finance Administrator

By

-

October 5, 2020

Galway Daily tourism Galway named one of the Top 10 cities in the world by renowned travel magazine

A global leader in medical devices is looking for a junior finance administrator to join its Galway office.

The 12-month contract in Galway city will suit those who have have accounts receivable experience and people who have previously worked in a multinational company previously.

The successful candidate will report into the Credit and Collections Team Lead and the role includes supporting the team in Galway and in one other office overseas.

Some key responsibilities:

Supporting the ongoing transition of activities to another office overseas including daily cash application, reconciliations, Management of Direct Debits and Refund process.
Assist and support in the Financial and SOX audits.
Assist in completion of month end close process.
Support for Credit Analysis.
Support preparation of monthly Bad Debt Provision Reports, Cash Target and Key KPI metrics.

Experience/Qualifications required:

Accounting Technician or equivalent Credit qualification desirable.
Third Level Diploma/Degree an advantage.
3+ years relevant experience in an accounts receivable role – preferably with Shared Service Centre and multinational corporation background.
SAP/FSCM Collections Module or other major ERP Systems experience is desirable.
Second European language an advantage.
Proficiency in Excel, Word and Outlook.

To apply for this junior finance administrator position or for further details on the role please send your CV in confidence to Ciara Darcy, Principal Recruitment Consultant at Sigmar Recruitment – cdarcy@sigmar.ie

To check out other jobs in Galway, click HERE.

Please note; your CV will not be forwarded to a third party prior to the role being discussed in full with you.

All GAA club games suspended until further notice

By

-

October 5, 2020

All GAA Club games at all levels have been suspended with immediate effect until further notice after the decision was endorsed by the GAA’s Management Committee today.

The decision was taken ‘in the interest of public safety’ after a number of incidents in recent days, including post-match celebrations and a lack of social distancing at certain events.

This has proved ‘disappointing and problematic’, the association said in a statement this afternoon.

The decision applies to all ages and all grades across the island of Ireland, and also affects Club Social Centres and bars which will also close until further notice.

“Training will continue to be permitted as per the guidelines outlined for the relevant levels in the Government’s National Framework for Living with Covid 19 and relevant guidelines in the Six Counties,” said the GAA statement.

“The GAA will continue to monitor the situation in the coming days and weeks, regarding changes in government guidelines, before liaising with our units accordingly.”

Wesdoc Service must be expanded to inlclude Moycullen, Rosscahill and Oughterard

By

-

October 5, 2020

galway daily news westdoc oughterard moycullen doctor conamara

The Westdoc Service needs to be expanded to include Moycullen, Rosscahill and Oughterard and there needs to be increased investment in GP services.

Those were the views of Senator Seán Kyne in the Seanad on Thursday, who said that we do not invest enough in primary care. He argued that a ‘much greater portion’ of the overall health budget should be invested in primary care.

“The funding should recognise the unique relationships between GPs and their patients,” said Senator Kyne.

“It should prioritise care in the community and strive for outcomes that avoid ever having to attend crowded emergency departments or acute hospitals.”

The Fine Gael Senator said that areas such as Corrandulla and Oughterard in Galway, among others, have been left without a service or with a diminished service, forcing local people to travel to attend a GP.

“And this only relates to weekday GP services, the situation in respect of out-of-hours services is even more troubling

“Despite the efforts of GPs serving the Moycullen, Rosscahill and Oughterard communities, among other areas, local GPs are still not included in the Westdoc service, the out-of-hours GP service for the West.

“The local GPs serving the Moycullen, Rosscahill and Oughterard areas are working flat out to provide a service out of hours and at weekends for their local communities.

“The HSE is currently, and I must emphasise that this is during a pandemic, providing locum cover on a one-in-five basis but only in the short term with no commitment to maintaining this provision into the future.”

In many areas, over 90% of doctors are covered by out-of-hours services – and Senator Kyne said that in the eastern part of Connemara, that coverage is barely over 60%, which he described as ‘unfair, unsafe and unsound’.

“The local community and GPs deserve better,” he said, calling for more funding to be provided to Westdoc for its expansion in order that all communities are covered and have the certainty of a comprehensive GP service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“I have been contacted by Moycullen and Oughterard GPs, who have been refused entry to Westdoc and have requested intervention,” added Senator Kyne.

“To put this into context, they say that when they are on call, they are on call for 48 hours every fourth weekend and every fourth night, as well as providing full weekday services.

“As one can imagine, that is a very onerous task for them to undertake, both physically and mentally in terms of their own well-being, but also in relation to that of patients.

“A more sustainable model needs to be put in place and the funding must be provided for access to the Westdoc service for this local area.”

Responding to the issue on behalf of the Minister for Health, Minister for State Mary Butler acknowledged the problems in recruitment and retention of GPs, the demands on out of hours services and “gaps in the Westdoc service,” and committed to raising the issue with Minister Donnelly.

Funding of €4 million to benefit 79 charity and community organisations across Ireland

By

-

October 5, 2020

Galway Daily news Galway winner claims €50,000 in prize bonds draw

Seventy-nine organisations across the country are to benefit from over €4 million in funding under the fourth tranche of the Covid-19 Stability Fund, announced today by Minister Joe O’Brien.

The funding supports community and voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises that are have been affected financially by the pandemic.

Once-off cash injections of between €2,000 and €200,000 are being awarded to organisations that provide critical services to those most vulnerable in society.

This will help with short term cash flow issues caused by the COVID-19 crisis.

This includes organisations from both phase 1 and 2 (unincorporated charities) of the fund and follows three previous tranches which allocated funding of over €25m to 489 organisations.

Some of the successful applicants today include the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, which will receive €200,000, and the Irish Kidney Association which will benefit from €200,000 in funding.

North West Simon will receive €109,186 and Amach! LGBT+ clg will be given €15,215.

Speaking this morning, Minister O’Brien said: “I am very happy to join with my colleagues at the Department of Health to announce a further tranche of funding under the COVID 19 Stability fund to Community and Voluntary organisations and Social Enterprises that are experiencing financial difficulties at this time.

“My Government colleagues and myself acknowledge and appreciate the work that these organisations do in their communities and I hope that this funding will go some way to support the continuation of their valuable services.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank sincerely all community and voluntary organisations for the work they have done throughout this difficult period to support and provide valuable services to the most disadvantaged in our communities. work remains a very important part of getting Ireland through this pandemic and Government recognises and is grateful for that contribution.”

Plans to knock derelict Newcastle building for apartments for older people

By

-

October 5, 2020

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

The Galway Simon Community is seeking planning permission to demolish a derelict building, and build new apartments for older people in its place.

The plans submitted to Galway City Council are for the demolition of an abandoned building at 111 Upper Newcastle Road, which has been damaged by fire.

In its place Galway Simon intend to build a three storey building containing 10 one-bed apartments, specifically designed for older people with mobility issues.

The project will also involve the development of associated on-site car parking, external storage, and landscaping works.

“As the housing and homelessness crisis in Galway continues to deepen, the severe shortage of one bed apartments in Galway is widely recognised. The lack of accessible one bed apartments is even more acute,” the planning application states.

“Galway Simon Community has been supporting people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Galway since 1979. In 2019 we supported 646 households, including 748 adults and 443 children.”

“With more people facing homelessness as a result of the housing crisis, Galway Simon has placed a significant focus on our Prevention Services — where we can prevent people from becoming homeless, they do not experience the significant trauma of Emergency Accommodation.”

“Providing secure and affordable housing is one of the key ways that we prevent people from becoming homeless.”

“Over the last couple of years, we have noticed a marked increase in the number of older people who are facing homelessness for the first time in their later years.”

“This proposal is to develop a derelict site at 111 Newcastle Road into ten well designed accessible one bedroom apartments for older people and people with reduced mobility. These homes would have a positive transformative impact on the lives of ten people.”

Galway City Council is due to make a decision on this planning application by November 22.

Call for investment in Ballyloughane beach after best water quality results in 8 years

By

-

October 5, 2020

Galway Daily news Swimming ban at Ballyloughane Beach due to E. Coli

A City Councillor is calling for serious upgrades to the facilities at Ballyloughane Beach to make it more attractive to visitors.

Ballyloughane Beach recently recorded its best water quality results in eight years, with 15 of 16 tests carried out returning “excellent” quality results.

These are the best results seen from the Renmore beach since testing began in 2012.

A swimming ban was imposed by Galway City Council for almost five years from 2014 to April 2019 due to consistently poor water quality.

Ballyloughane has also been subject to repeated temporary bans in poor weather, where heavy rain frequently leads to bacterial contamination.

With water quality levels improving, Councillor Alan Cheevers said that it’s time the city council made a commitment to upgrading facilities at the beach.

“I believe we need to see a plan for new toilets , changing facilities and better disability access,” Alan Cheevers said, adding that this needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.

Pointing to the recent announcement that Blackrock Diving Tower in Salthill will be getting a facelift.

“The toilets at the moment there are not fit for purpose, and there are no proper changing facilities. The residents of the Eastside deserve better.”

“We also need, as we come out of pandemic, to be able to attract tourists to Ballyloughane and be able to provide the proper facilities.

Three day roadworks to disrupt city centre traffic

By

-

October 5, 2020

Galway Daily news Traffic disruption expected from Galway City centre roadworks

Roadworks on Forster Street will disrupt some traffic in Galway City Centre for a period of three days this week, starting from tomorrow.

JMS Ltd is carrying out resurfacing works on Forster Street on behalf of Galway City Council.

The works are expected to take three days to complete from Tuesday to Thursday this week.

Work will take place from 6am to 5pm each day.

Lane closures will be in place to facilitate the works, but one lane will remain open to traffic at all times.

Level 5 lockdown recommended by NPHET for entire country

By

-

October 4, 2020

galway daily news lockdown ireland galway level 5 nphet

A Level 5 lockdown could be implemented across the entire country in an attempt to halt the spread of the coronavirus after NPHET recommended the drastic measure to government this evening.

RTÉ News reports the recommendation was included in a letter sent to the government tonight after NPHET met earlier today to discuss the current rise in Covid-19 cases across Ireland.

In Level 5, people are asked to stay at home, except to exercise within 5km of their home, and no gatherings can take place other than small funerals and weddings.

The Department of Health reported 364 new cases of the virus today, but no further deaths were reported. Twenty-three new cases were confirmed in Galway.

There are currently 21 people in ICU with Covid in the State, and 134 people in total in hospitals with the illness.

More to follow…

Ballybrit road closing for two weeks in November

By

-

October 4, 2020

Galway daily news Seven week road closure in downtown Galway City

A street in Ballybrit will be closed daily for the be closed for the better part of two weeks next month due to water and sewage work taking place.

Galway City Council is closing “Ballybaan Road (L-50356-0) and Líós na Rún (L-50355-0), known locally as Rocklands Avenue: From Monivea Road / Ballybaan Road Junction to Líós na Rún / Rahylin Glebe Junction”.

The road closure is being enacted to allow sewer and water connections to take place in this part of Ballybrit.

The road will be closed between 7am and 6pm each day from Monday, November 2 through to Friday, November 13.

Local access will be maintained at all times, and diversion signage will be in place before works begin to alert traffic.

The suggested diversion route for those travelling north is: Rahylin Glebe – Ballybaan Road (R-865-6) – Monivea Road, while the diversion travelling south is: Monivea Road – Ballybaan Road (R-865-6) – Rahylin Glebe.

Roughly €7,000 worth of phones stolen in Ballinasloe burglary

By

-

October 4, 2020

A Galway man received a three year prison sentence, with more than half suspended, for a burglary where roughly €7,000 worth of phones were stolen from a store.

James Ring (31), of Hymany Park, Ballinasloe pleaded guilty to a single county of burglary at Galway Circuit Court this week.

Detective Garda John Flannigan told the court that sometime during the night of Monday, April 1 or following morning in 2019, Ring broke into Phone Care & Repairs in Ballinasloe.

Inside the store he stole approximately €7,000 worth of second hand phones, some top-up cards, and roughly €100 in cash.

He was identified from CCTV footage both inside the store and outside. The owner of the store also recognised him in the footage as someone who had been in there a few days beforehand.

None of the property stolen from the store was ever recovered, the court heard. The exact value of the stolen phones is a “guesstimate” rather than a precise figure Detective Flannigan acknowledged when asked by the defence.

Gardaí charged Ring in September of last year while he was at Cloverhill prison, and during the course of the interview he made no admissions, and after viewing the CCTV footage said that he didn’t do it.

Mr Conall MacCarthy, defence barrister, said that his client has long standing addiction problems, and that he committed burglaries to fund this habit.

However he is currently on methadone, and is making serious efforts to deal with his addiction the defence said.

The court heard that Ring has 121 previous criminal convictions, including 31 for burglary.

He is currently serving a prison sentence on other matters, which is due to be completed in May of 2021.

A Probation Report said that Ring is at a high risk of re-offending, but that he has put his time in custody to good use, and has engaged with a Training and Employment Officer in prison

The defence said that he is someone with a very limited educational background, who has but that he had been working with the prison education services.

“From the point of view of deterring future crime, I think rehabilitation would be more of a deterrence,” Judge Francis Comerford said, noting that sending Ring to prison hasn’t had any effect.

He imposed a three year prison sentence starting immediately, and suspended the final 22 months of that sentence for a period of two years.

Classic horror movies in Salthill cinema throughout October!

By

-

October 4, 2020

GALWAY daily news omniplex cinema salthill

A fantastic line up of classic horror movies and spooky family favourites has been announced by Omniplex Cinemas.

Taking place throughout October, the spooky season includes classics such as The Shining, The Exorcist, the Addams Family and Hocus Pocus.

The Salthill cinema will also be screening Casper – the story of an afterlife specialist (Bill Pullman) and his daughter (Christina Ricci) who meet the friendliest ghost in a crumbling mansion.

The spooky line up this October

Shaun of the Dead – from 2^nd of October

Ghost – from 9^th of October

The Goonies – from 9^th of October

Get Out – from 16^th of October

The Nightmare before Christmas – from 16^th of October

The Addams Family (1991) – from 16^th of October

The Exorcist – from 23^rd of October

Casper – from 23^rd of October

Hocus Pocus – from 23^rd of October

The Shining – from 30^th of October

Scream – from 30^th of October.

Coronavirus: 23 new confirmed cases in Galway

By

-

October 4, 2020

The Department of Health has confirmed there are 23 new cases of Covid-19 in Galway, and 364 in total across the Republic.

There were no further deaths related to the disease by health officials today.

Galway has the fifth highest number of new cases after Dublin, Cork, Donegal and Limerick.

74% of the cases reported today are under the age of 45 and 27% are confirmed to be associated with outbreaks or close contacts of a confirmed case.

There are now 134 people in hospitals with Covid-19 and 21 of those are in ICU.

Of today’s new cases;

195 are men / 168 are women
74% are under 45 years of age
27% are confirmed to be associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case
42 cases have been identified as community transmission
100 cases are in Dublin, 55 in Cork, 31 in Donegal, 24 in Limerick, 23 in Galway,17 in Clare, 14 in Sligo, 13 in Roscommon, 10 in Kerry, 8 in Tipperary, 8 in Wicklow, 7 in Kildare, 6 in Kilkenny, 6 in Offaly, 5 in Cavan, 5 in Mayo, 5 in Meath, with the remaining 27 cases in 9 counties.

There were 826 new cases of the disease confirmed across the island of Ireland today.

Galway TD condemns Bus Eireann cuts to intercity services

By

-

October 4, 2020

Galway Daily news Exemption for farmers on burning green waste welcomed

Galway TD Michael Fitzmaurice has condemned the decision by Bus Eireann to close a number of intercity routes, and said that allowing it will leave Transport Minister and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan “red faced”.

Bus Eireann announced during the week that it is shuttering several Expressway Intercity routes, including two from Galway serving Dublin and Limerick.

The decision was made so that resources could be focused on city and commuter services, and to “safeguard” the remaining 14 Expressway routes.

“This is evolving into a laughable situation,” Michael Fitzmaurice said, adding, “Minister Ryan and his party have preached time and time again when it comes to the importance of expanding public transport routes.”

“And yet, it seems as if these expressway services will cease with Ryan at the wheel in the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.”

“Despite this being classed as a commercial decision, and the redirecting of services and personnel to other areas, many people depend on these expressway services for travelling to work, college or medical appointments.”

Sixteen Galway childminders awarded €1,000 grants this year

By

-

October 4, 2020

galway daily news childminder grant 2020

Sixteen childminders in Galway have been awarded grants so far in 2020 – the joint-highest number of any county outside of Dublin.

The Galway-based childminders received around €1,000 each under the Childminder Development Grant to improve the quality and safety of the service in their homes.

Across the country, 202 people were awarded the grants, and €15,194 in total was handed over to people in Galway.

The scheme, which is now closed to applications, provides up to €1,000 for childminders who are providing the service in their own homes.

Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman said that the total funding that was available to childminders this year was €250,000.

The money can be used to buy small capital items, equipment, toys and minor adaptation costs. The grants may also give financial assistance to new childminders with their initial set-up costs.

This year’s round saw a significant jump in the number of successful applicants – a 50% increase from 2019.

In Mayo, 16 childminders were awarded grants, totalling €15,407, while in Limerick 13 childminders were given almost €1,000 each.

In Donegal, five childminders were given funding.

Job vacancy: Leading company in West needs a Catering Equipment Service Manager

By

-

October 4, 2020