Galway Simon asks people to hold onto charity shop donations

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March 30, 2020

With the measures taken to halt the spread of COVID-19 across Europe, most events and gatherings have been cancelled or postponed.

However, the lockdown hasn’t stopped Tuam Rugby Football Club from holding its Player of the Year awards – all online of course.

Via the Zoom app, senior squad players, coaches and the President of the Club gathered to celebrate the awards ceremony.

Fifty players in total joined the online ceremony as head coach Barry Ruane read out the winners, which were voted online by management and players.

The winners

Seconds young player of the year
Cormac Deuignan

Seconds player of the year
Ciaran Gleeson

Firsts young player of the year.
Ian Murphy

Firsts player of the year
Alan Finnerty

Players player of the year
Oisin Morrin

Businesses urged to look at supports before letting staff go

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March 30, 2020

Galway Daily news Details announced for reopened Pandemic Unemployment scheme

Businesses in the county have been reminded of the package of supports open to them.

East Galway TD Ciaran Cannon has said that employers should engage with Revenue and look at the Wage Subsidy Scheme before letting staff go.

A range of measures were announced last week to assist employers, employees and the self-employed who find themselves negatively impacted by COVID-19 and the consequences of the physical distancing guidelines.

For those who are now out of work due to the increased restrictions, the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment is now being paid at the rate of €350 per week.

Minister Cannon says this will provide much needed immediate assistance and Minister Doherty’s Department is working hard to ensure that all who need this help receive it and get it as quickly as possible.

The Galway TD said: “The quickest and easiest way to apply is via mywelfare.ie. In respect of businesses, the Wage Subsidy Scheme has been described as a ‘win-win’ for businesses and workers and I would strongly encourage all businesses in Galway to engage with Revenue and seriously look at this scheme before they think about letting staff go.

“An eligible employer will be supported by up to 70% of an employee’s take home income up to a maximum weekly tax free payment of €410 (i.e. 70% of take home weekly income of €38,000 per annum).

“The scheme will provide support on incomes up to €76,000 or twice average earnings. It will be capped at net €350 for incomes between €38,000 and €76,000,” he explained.

Employers are expected to make best efforts to maintain as close to 100% of normal income as possible for the subsidised period.

Revenue will provide further guidance on operation of the scheme and there will be severe penalties for any abuse of the scheme.

“Employers must self-declare to Revenue that they have experienced significant negative economic disruption due to Covid-19, with a minimum of 25% decline in turnover, and an inability to pay normal wages and other outgoings, in accordance with guidance to be issued by Revenue.

“This scheme is open to impacted employers in all sectors. This recognises the impact that Covid-19 is having across all parts of the economy.

“The employee must have been on the payroll in February 2020. Self-employed who qualify will be paid the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment of €350 rather than through the Revenue scheme.

“They will be eligible on a similar basis as the Revenue scheme for employees. Revenue and Department of Employment Affairs & Social Protection will provide details to employers on how to apply”.

City Council establishes Coronavius response forum

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March 30, 2020

Galway Daily news Open call for applicants to Galway City Creative Communities Grant

Galway City Council is spearheading a new Coronavirus Response Forum to coordinate state agencies, voluntary, and community groups in this crisis.

The Covid-19 coronavirus Community Response Forum was instigated by Galway City Council at the urging of Minister for Local Government Eoghan Murphy, who has announced similar forums coordinated by local authorities around the country.

The forum in Galway City includes over a dozen bodies, coordinating community supports from voluntary groups, and helping them to coordinate efforts and share information with state agencies.

The forum which came into effect on Monday, March 30, is particularly concerned with supporting the elderly and other vulnerable people.

A dedicated community support helpline and service will be established by Galway City Council to assist at-risk members of the public in accessing non-emergency and non-medical supports and advice during the current public health emergency

The helpline is focused primarily on ensuring that vulnerable members of the community or those living alone can access deliveries of groceries, medicine and fuels.

Included in the COVID-19 Galway City Community Response Forum are:
• Galway City Council
• Health Service Executive
• An Garda Síochána
• Community Welfare Service, DEASP
• Galway City Partnership
• Galway City Community Network
• Galway Volunteer Centre
• COPE Galway
• Other community, voluntary and sports representatives

Chief Executive of Galway City Council, Brendan McGrath, said “There are a number of agencies currently doing excellent work in delivering care to older and vulnerable people in our communities.

These groups are currently working independently of each other, and it’s the city council’s role to provide an integrated delivery of essential services to the most vulnerable during the coronavirus pandemic he explained.

“Galway City Council is ideally placed both statutorily and regionally to channel this great work and provide the governance structure in partnership with all stakeholders.

This public health crisis has changed life for so many, and we are there to help with that change.”

“Our own staff whose day-jobs have changed due to this crisis, will be a key resource in the management and operation of this community support programme along with our partner agencies/groups.”

While a dedicated freephone number is set to be introduced in the coming days, in the meantime people can call Galway City Council on 091 536 400 or email covidsupport@galwaycity.ie to access this service.

Contact details of this new service will be promoted on www.galwaycity.ie, and through social media on Galway City Council’s and partner organisations’ Facebook, Twitter and Instagram feeds.

An information leaflet including the new freephone number and other information will be distributed around the city, particularly to vulnerable households, over the coming days.

Ring Road oral hearing postponed until further notice

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March 30, 2020

Galway Daily news "Irrational" to build roads in climate crisis says group challenging Ring Road

The oral hearing for the proposed Galway City Ring Road has been postponed until further notice due to the coronavirus pandemic An Bord Pleanála has said.

The oral hearing for the ring road got underway on February 8 at the Galway Bay Hotel, but was interrupted by the outbreak of the Covid-19 crisis.

“Due to the continuing restrictions resulting from Covid-19, the oral hearing is postponed until further notice,” An Bord Pleanála said in a recent update announcing the indefinite postponement.

The hearing had previously been postponed on March 12, when the planning authority said that it intended to resume on March 31, and continue until April 9.

But restrictions have been tighten in the interim, with the Taoiseach announcing a nationwide lockdown until April 12 last week.

Further updates about the status of the oral hearing will be posted on An Bord Pleanála’s website.

10 more deaths from COVID-19 as cases in Galway rise to 68

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March 29, 2020

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

Ten more people have died after being diagnosed with COVID-19, the Department of Health has confirmed.

In the last 24 hours, there have been 200 new confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 2,615.

This figure is almost a third less than on Friday and Saturday.

Galway remains the third most affected county after Dublin and Cork, with 68 cases as of midnight, 27 March.

Of the ten people who died since yesterday, six were located in the east, three in the northwest, and one in the south of the country.

Eight were male and two were female and the median age of the reported deaths is 77.

The latest data available shows that 506 cases are associated with healthcare workers.

There have now been a total of 46 COVID-19 related deaths in the Republic and 67 on the island of Ireland.

Confirmed cases in Ireland since the beginning of March

City Centre hotel swapping restaurant for more rooms

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March 29, 2020

Galway Daily news House Hotel gets approval to swap restaurant for more bedrooms

The House Hotel in Galway city centre plans to expand its count of guest bedrooms by removing the restaurant currently on the ground floor.

Ranchwell Ltd is seeking planning permission to replace the hotel restaurant with 7 new bedrooms and 1 reading/meeting room, as well as making other internal modifications.

As part of the project the public toilets will also be reconfigured to create more dining space in the lobby,

“The addition of seating to the existing yard to the south east will also enhance the reception area and create a secure outdoor seating space and garden area for guests,” the application states.

The addition of the new reading room opening out onto on the north east side will “bring activity to both the elevation and the street” as well as “allow a visual connection from the pedestrian footpath through to corridor”.

The new extension to be built at the south east will facilitate three of the proposed seven new bedrooms.

The House Hotel is a Protected Structure at Spanish Parade, which is also located within the City Core Architectural Conservation Area.

The forecourt and boundary wall of the site date back to at least the time of the first Ordnance Survey Map of 1830, and the stretch of building along Dock Road may also be from this period.

The part of the building and laneway on Merchants Road are later additions, featuring on the 1930 OS Map.

A survey of the ground floor of the hotel found “no visible evidence of the original fabric and features,” according to the planning application.

It has been extensively altered over time with the addition of partition walls and internal plastering on the walls and ceilings and floors in a variety of modern finishes.

A decision on this planning application is due from Galway County Council by May 10.

Home school lessons to start on RTÉ 2 tomorrow morning

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March 29, 2020

The schools might be closed, but that doesn’t mean learning has to stop – as daily lessons for primary school children will begin on RTÉ tomorrow morning.

RTÉ and Macalla Teo, with support from Mary Immaculate College, collaborated to create the Home School Hub and it will allow children to watch, download and engage with curriculum-based content and various activities to keep them entertained and learning.

The programmes will start tomorrow morning, Monday 30 March, and continue everyday from 11:00 to 12:00 on RTÉ Home School Hub on RTÉ2.

They will be presented by bilingual primary school teachers and consist of three short class segments aimed at 1st and 2nd class, 3rd and 4th class and 5th and 6th class.

Galway East TD Ciaran Cannon is encouraging parents in the county to avail of the service and also welcomed the additional funding announced for online books.

“I`m delighted that my colleague Minister Ring has just announced €200,000 to support the additional provision of ebooks and eAudiobooks in online public library resources.

“The availability of services like this will help parents who are overseeing schooling at home in helping encourage their children to read more and it is also great to see that a new resource is being launched by RTÉ which will provide primary school children with daily lessons in their own homes”.

“I commend this initiative and I encourage parents in Galway to avail of it while homes double as classrooms for the coming weeks,” said Minister Cannon.

HSE outlines cocooning guidelines for the elderly

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March 29, 2020

Galway daily news Day services in Loughrea remain in limbo

The HSE has issued guidelines for the elderly and otherwise vulnerable people ‘cocooning’ to protect themselves from the Covid-19 coronavirus.

The government instructed people over the age of 70 and those with serious underlying medical conditions to start cocooning as part of a range of new measures introduced last Friday.

People in these categories are strongly advised by the HSE to stay at home at all times and avoid any face-to-face contact for a period of 2 weeks at least.

Visits from people who provide essential support with healthcare, personal needs, or social care should continue, but carers and care workers must stay away if they have any of the symptoms of COVID-19.

If you are receiving Home Support from the HSE or a Home Support provider organisation you should discuss what arrangements can be made with them to ensure that necessary support can be provided with the minimum amount of contact.

This could mean that some non-essential services might be paused, both only where it is necessary, and only for the length of the cocooning period.

The list of measures that people are being advised to take is:

The main cocooning measures are:

1. Strictly avoid contact with someone who is displaying symptoms of COVID-19. These symptoms include high temperature and/or new and continuous cough.

2. Do not leave your house.

3. Do not attend any gatherings. This includes gatherings of friends and families in private spaces for example family homes, weddings and religious services.

4. Do not go out for shopping and, when arranging food or medication deliveries, these should be left at the door to minimise contact.

5. Keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, internet, and social media.

6. Do use telephone or online services to contact your GP or other essential services.

7. Ensure you keep phones/devices charged, and have credit on your phone so that you can stay connected.

If you live with someone who is cocooning, you are not required to take these steps yourself, but should stringently observe social distancing, frequently and thoroughly was your hands, and observe good coughing and sneezing etiquette.

In order to keep getting help with food and medicines while taking these steps, people should rely on family, friends and neighbours where possible.

If these options are not available, the government is working with local authorities and voluntary sectors to help out.

Local Link has shifted its regular evening door to door passenger service in Galway towards delivering medicine and food supplies to isolated homes.

And COPE Galway has also launched a practical helpline for older people to support people in isolation, and to link them up with practical assistance.

This can be reached at 085 87 67 785, available Monday – Friday, 9am to 4pm.

Coronavirus: List of ‘essential’ workers who can still travel

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March 29, 2020

Galway Daily news €20.6 million in ANC payments issued to Galway farmers

The government has published a full list of the essential service providers who are exempt from new restrictions imposed this week to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced a two week nationwide lockdown on Friday in the latest response to the coronavirus pandemic.

During this time people are not supposed to leave their houses except for very limited circumstances in order to combat the spread of coronavirus.

These include going to buy groceries or collect a meal, attending an important medical appointment, taking brief exercise near your home, or urgent family needs.

A grace period until 6pm on Monday has been given for people to make arrangements to wind down, or transfer home, business not deemed essential in the coronavirus crisis.

Exempt from the new travel restrictions are certain “essential service providers” which are necessary to maintain supply chains and keep the country functioning.

Among those are agricultural workers directly involved in food production on farms, as well as fishing, and people working at essential retail outlets such as supermarkets.

It also exempts people in different areas of manufacturing necessary to sustain supply chains, utilities workers in electricity, gas, and water, and transport workers.

Construction has not been deemed essential work, except for people working on projects directly relevant to the coronavirus crisis.

People who are employees in essential services should carry either a form of work identification or a letter from their employer while travelling.

The self-employed, farmers, and clergy should carry at least one form of identification at all times.

The full list of essential services exempt from the coronavirus restrictions is:

Agriculture and Fishing:

farmers
farm labourers
farm relief service workers
others involved directly or indirectly in crop and animal production and related activities (including veterinary services), and workers involved in fishing

Manufacturing

the manufacture of food and beverage products
the manufacture of prepared animal feeds
the manufacture of work-wear apparel or footwear
the manufacture of pulp, paper and paperboard and wood
the printing and reproduction of newspapers and other media services
the manufacturing of coke and refined petroleum products
the manufacturing of alumina; chemicals and chemical products
the manufacture of pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical preparations
the manufacture of products necessary for the supply chain of essential services; computer, electronic and optical products including semi-conductors; electrical equipment, machinery and other equipment (including agricultural and forestry machinery); medical devices; and medical and dental equipment and supplies

Repair and installation of Machinery and Equipment

the supply, repair and installation of machinery and equipment and industrial machinery and equipment for essential services

Electricity, Gas and Water

electric power generation, transmission and distribution
extraction and distribution of gas
water collection, treatment and supply
sewerage; waste collection, remediation activities and other waste management treatment and disposal activities

Construction

essential health and related projects relevant to the COVID-19 crisis, and supplies necessary for such projects
repair/construction of critical road and utility infrastructure
delivery of emergency services to businesses and homes on an emergency call-out basis in areas such as electrical, plumbing, glazing and roofing

Wholesale and Retail Trade

retail services in accordance with the separate “Updated Essential Retail Outlets” list
wholesale and distribution services necessary for the sale of food, beverages, fuel, medicines, medical products and devices and essential household products; takeaways and food delivery services

Transport Storage and Communication

land transport (for example, bus, rail and taxi services)
road, rail, sea and air freight
sea and air passenger services; ports and airports
warehousing and support activities for transportation including cargo-handling
postal and courier activities
network control and critical maintenance (including roads)
safety related functions

Accommodation and Food Services

hotels or similar providing essential accommodation (including homeless, direct provision and related services)
food and beverage service activities in accordance with the separate essential retail outlets list or for supply to a business engaged in an essential service

Information and Communications

the publishing of newspapers, journals and periodicals as well as video, television programme production, sound recording, radio and television broadcasting; wired and satellite and telecommunications activities; internet and cloud providers; data centres and related services

Financial and legal activities

banking and financial services (including banks, credit unions and post offices)
accountancy, legal and insurance services necessary to support essential services and vulnerable people

Professional, Scientific and Technical activities

engineering, technical testing activities and analysis
scientific research and development activities
regulation, inspection and certification services necessary to support essential services

Rental and Leasing Activities

rental and lease of cars
light motor vehicles and trucks necessary to support the provision of essential services

Administrative and Support Services

Where necessary to support other essential services:

employment placement and human resources associated with the recruitment and deployment of workers
security activities to assist in the delivery of essential services and the securing of premises closed to the public
cleaning of buildings and industrial cleaning activities; business support activities which are necessary to support essential services included on this list; payroll and payment services necessary for the operation of businesses; data processing, hosting and related activities

Public Administration and Defence

Public administration activities necessary to support essential services and provision of social protection benefits (including Civil Service and Local Government)
An Garda Siochana, Garda Staff and the Garda Reserve
public order, safety, fire service and ambulance activities
the Defence Forces
emergency call answering service to ensure administration of justice
Prison services and Child Detention services
cyber-security
regulatory processes and certification required to ensure supply chains, food, medicine and general process safety
operation of botanical gardens, parks, forests and nature reserves
funeral services
religious personnel
office-holders and public representatives

Human health and social work activities

hospital services
paramedical and essential therapy activities
public health activities (including all those deployed to contract tracing and COVID-19 testing services)
laboratory services
drug treatment and addiction services
hospice services
pharmacy services
primary care, general and specialist medical practice activities provided by public and private providers
emergency dental practice activities
blood donation service
residential care activities (including nursing care, mental health and substance abuse, elderly and persons with disabilities, children’s residential services)
homecare home help and other community services
social work and social care activities (including disability services, mental health, child protection and welfare, domestic, sexual and gender based violence, homeless services including outreach)
ambulance/pre-hospital emergency care services
minor injury units
maternity services
health, social work, environmental, food safety regulatory activities

Community/Voluntary Services

community and voluntary workers, working in a publicly commissioned service, not otherwise included on the list, deployed to assist in the delivery of essential services
volunteer services operating under the local authority emergency management framework in accordance with public health guidance

NCT tests suspended until further notice

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March 29, 2020

The Minister for Transport, Tourism, and Sport Shane Ross has confirmed this weekend that NCT testing has been suspended until further notice.

The NCT has been suspended in order to comply with new public restrictions in the coronavirus pandemic, along with the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) and the Commercial Vehicle Testing System.

Minister Ross has asked his officials together with the RSA to introduce measures to address the implications of suspending these services.

“It is critical that we give drivers as well as operators of commercial vehicles peace of mind in relation to the status of their licence, learner permit, NCT certificate or certificate of roadworthiness”.

He added that it is especially important to do so where that permit or certificate is expired or expires during the Covid-19 crisis.

To address this concern the Minister said that he is looking at measures that will extend the validity of such documents, and hopes to provide more specific details next week.

“In the meantime, I want to make it absolutely clear that people should not and do not need to worry about these things,” Shane Ross said.

People’s sole focus right now should be on abiding by the new measures introduced by the government on Friday to combat the spread of Covid-19.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced a nationwide lockdown on Friday, with people supposed to remain in their homes until Easter Sunday, except for certain limited circumstances.

“At the same time, we must also be conscious of the need to save lives on the roads and, indeed, avoid diverting medical staff to deal with the consequences of drivers not driving safely,” Minister Ross added.

“Road Safety laws remain in force and will be enforced. Drivers must not speed or drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs and they must keep their vehicles roadworthy – for their own sakes and all our sakes. ”

Coronavirus: 14 deaths and 294 new cases in Republic

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March 28, 2020

The number of deaths related to COVID-19 in the Republic has risen to 36 after 14 more people died in the past 24 hours.

The Department of Health announced that there have been 294 new cases in the state, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 2,415.

In Galway, there are now 63 confirmed cases, as of Thursday – up six from the previous day’s figures.

The median age of today’s reported deaths is 81, and all 14 were in the east of the country.

The overall median age of those who have tested positive for the virus 46.

53% are male, while 46% are female and there are 91 clusters, involving 351 cases.

On the island of Ireland, there are now 2,739 confirmed cases and 51 people have died.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing people vulnerable during COVID-19 crisis

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March 28, 2020

People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and experiencing difficulty during the public health emergency are being urged to contact Chime for support.

The National Charity for Deafness and Hearing Loss points out that hearing loss is associated with an increased risk of social isolation and warned that the almost 300,000 people in Ireland who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing are especially vulnerable during this period.

This is due to restrictions on social gatherings and the lack of accessible news updates about the virus.

Commenting yesterday, CEO of Chime Mark Byrne said: “The COVID-19 virus presents a particular set of challenges for people who are impacted by deafness or hearings loss.

“Chime is responding by providing a range of online supports to help people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing during this public health emergency.”

He said that the coronavirus pandemic has created considerable uncertainty for everyone, but this is compounded for people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

Mr Byrne explained: Even tasks like contacting the doctor to arrange a COVID-19 test or contacting a utility company, banks or social welfare offices are especially difficult due to lack of accessible pathways to engage with these services. Therefore, Chime is here to help.

“I would encourage anyone who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing and experiencing difficulty during this challenging time, to make contact with us and we will do our best to provide support.

“From Monday, 30th March our team will be providing two new online services. We will provide daily ‘Facebook Live’ updates on our Facebook page and support on a wide range of topics, including sessions provided in Irish Sign Language.

“The schedule is available on our website. We are also working to improve remote access to our services by providing one-to-one appointments with our social work team, audiologists and community resource officers.

“Our dedicated team will continue to provide advice & support through voice calls, text, video calls and through face-to-face appointments when necessary to anyone impacted by deafness or hearing loss.

“I want everyone who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing to know Chime is here to help during this challenging time.”

Chime can be contacted on 1800 256 257 or email: info@chime.ie

For more information about Chime visit www.chime.ie or visit its Facebook page.

Libraries get €200k for eBooks & eAudiobooks

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March 28, 2020

Galway Daily news Libraries get €200k for eBooks & eAudiobooks

Keeping yourself entertained and occupied is an important consideration in lockdown, making it a welcome move that €200k has been allocated for improving our libraries online services.

Minister for Rural and Community Development Michael Ring approved the funding recently to buy 5,000 eBooks and eAudiobooks for public libraries

Galway East TD Seán Canney said that the funding is coming from his department after a rise in public demand in recent days

“The COVID-19 crisis has seen an unprecedented demand for these services and I am very pleased that my Department has responded in this way,” Seán Canney said.

“Clearly people are not in a position to physically visit their local library in the current circumstances so it is only right that we should invest more in online services to meet demand.”

In the week following the closure of public libraries more than 7,300 people registered for the Borrowbox service, which provides e-Books and eAudiobooks to library members.

This was nearly as many people as had joined since the start of the year according to Deputy Canney.

The Independent TD added that more than 25,000 eBooks were downloaded between March 13 and 19, which was three times the previous week.

During the same period, more than 26,000 eAudiobooks were downloaded, more than double the previous week.

“Even though you physically can’t go into our libraries at the moment, the library service is still very much available to people online,” Minister Ring said.

“In fact, we have had a big upsurge in demand for our online library service since our libraries closed their doors.”

Anyone interested in joining their local library can get further information at librariesireland.freshdesk.com.

Students must get refunds for leaving accommodation early, says SF

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March 28, 2020

galway daily news Over 130 children in emergency accommodation in Galway City

Amid reports of students and parents being denied refunds for leaving their accommodation early due to the COVID-19 crisis, Sinn Féin‘s Housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin has said that a uniform approach must be adopted by both public and private student accommodation providers.

The TD said he has heard reports of students and their parents being denied refunds, and in some cases, this can be up to three months rent.

Calling for the Ministers for Housing and Education to make a clear statement on the matter, he said that his party believes that all student accommodation providers should provide these students and their families with refunds.

“It is important for students in purpose built accommodation to know that their licences are covered under the Residential Tenancies Act,” said Eoin Ó Broin.

“Where landlords are denying refunds of pre-paid rent or deposits beyond the required notice period, they should make formal complaints to the Residential Tenancies Board.

“I have been in touch with both the USI and the Irish Universities Association on the issue.

“It would be helpful if the Ministers for Housing and Education made a clear statement calling for full refunds from all student accommodation providers.”

Income supports being processed as quickly as possible

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March 28, 2020

Payments for people waiting for income supports are being processed as fast as possible, a Galway TD has assured.

East Galway TD Ciaran Cannon has said that if there are any issues with individual payments, the department will contact the claimants directly.

In the past two weeks, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection has experienced unprecedented demand for income supports including the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment and Jobseeker payments.

Minister Cannon said that these claims are being processed by the Department as quickly as possible and that staff have been working long hours, over weekends and the bank holiday to ensure this.

“I understand that the first COVID-19 related payments, for approximately 90% of claims received from 13 – 19 March were issued last Friday, 20^th March and were in customer’s bank accounts on Tuesday, 24^th March,” said the Fine Gael TD.

“Some payments did not go forward for various reasons and this is normal. For example some claims may not have met eligibility criteria. Other payments may have been held back due to an error with an IBAN number or an inconsistency between PPSNs.

“The department is working very hard to resolve these issues and is contacting the customers concerned directly.

“Again this week nearly all claims received since 19^th March will be processed for payment today (27/3/20) and will be in customer’s bank accounts on Tuesday 31^st March.

“The department is processing payments into Irish bank accounts and via the Post Office network only and reassures people that where they are entitled they will receive a payment from the department as soon as possible. Should there be any issues with individual payments the department will contact the claimants directly.”

Recycling centres closed across Galway county

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March 28, 2020

Galway Daily news Green light for new Gort recycling centre

Due to new restrictions put in place this weekend to combat the spread of coronavirus, recycling centres in towns across Galway County are closed as of today.

Galway County Council said today that the recycling centres at Tuam, Clifden, and Ballinasloe are now closed.

They had remained open this week despite the pandemic, with people attending urged to obey social distancing, but that has now changed.

“Due to the revised restrictions in relation to #COVID19_Ireland, recycling centres at Tuam, Clifden & Ballinasloe will be closed until further notice,” the council said in a statement on facebook.

The council said that for more information, people should contact Barna Recycling at 091771619.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced a two week lockdown on Friday evening, with only those businesses deemed essential by the government to remain open during this period.

People are also supposed to remain in their homes in this period, only leaving for essential reasons such as buying groceries or exercising.

Renovation plans submitted for Tuam theatre

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March 28, 2020

Galway Daily news Tuam's Mall Theatre approved for renovation works

Plans have been submitted to Galway County Council for renovations to The Mall Theatre in Tuam.

The Mall Theatre and Cinema Company are seeking planning permission to remove and replace the roof over the stage.

Work would involve removing the existing galvanised roof over the stage, and replacing with a new roof, which will be lower to put it in line with the roof over the rest of the building.

Galway County Council is due to make a decision on this planning application by April 19.

All theatres in Galway and around the country are currently closed until further notice as Ireland goes into lockdown to limit the spread of Covid-19.

image credit: The Mall Theatre/Facebook

City Council closes all beaches and walkways

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March 28, 2020

Following on from the Taoiseach’s announcement of a nationwide lockdown on Friday evening, Galway City Council has closed all beaches and walkways in Salthill and elsewhere.

Walkways and beaches at Salthill Promenade, Ballyloughane & Silver Strand are closed as of this morning, while all other recreational amenities are now also restricted.

“Further to recent closures of various city amenities, sports pitches, playgrounds etc that have taken place over the past 10 days, the Council will now be moving to close ALL outdoor amenities on Saturday and over the weekend,” a statement said.

Other amenities closed by the city council today include Merlin Woods and Barna Woods.

VMS signage installed on the prom in recent days will now display the notice ‘PROM CLOSED’.

Additional signage will be placed at key locations and cones erected to deter and discourage any walkers from accessing the Prom.

On Friday evening the Taoiseach announced a range of new measures to combat the spread of coronavirus, and ordered people to remain in their homes until Easter Sunday except under limited circumstances.

While people are allowed to leave their home for exercise, they should only do so within 2km of their home.

St. Nicholas’ Market has also been called off this weekend, but many of the traders there offer online sales which can be found at galwaymarket.weebly.com/find-a-trader.html.

Coronavirus: List of essential retail outlets to stay open

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March 28, 2020