Ocean FM News Reports

Donegal TD addresses lack of infrastructure on Donegal road

A new ESRI report has highlighted significant economic and social inequalities between the north and south of Ireland.Sinn Féin MLA Jemma Dolan says people in the north have around 10 per cent less disposable income and shorter life expectancy than those in the south.She described the findings as deeply concerning for border communities, calling it a “postcode lottery” that affects income and even how long people live.Speaking to Ocean Fm News Jemma says the report strengthens the case for greater fiscal powers and expanded all-island cooperation, particularly in health and public services.

A local county councillor and teacher says the amount of time that some children are missing from schools could well be a lingering effect of the Covid-19 eraOne in three children in disadvantaged schools are missing more than four weeks of school per year, according to a new report.Research by the Economic and Social Research Institute found 'chronic' school absenteeism is showing little signs of improvement.When a student misses more than 20 days in a school year Tusla are notified. Leitrim Councillor James Gilmartin says that children are less miss to attend time if they are attending smaller primary schools. The Independent Councillor says the number of day being missed by some students are concerning.

A Sligo Councillor has claimed there needs to be a roundabout for traffic from Ballymote entering the N17.Barry Gallagher raised a motion on the matter at the latest sitting of the Ballymote-Tubbercurry MD.The N17 has seen a large number of road traffic accidents in the last space of time prompting calls for an upgrade to the route.The Fianna Fail Councillor says the roundabout would be near any potential N17 upgrade:

A Sligo Councillor has called to front load funding for SEAI grants so that elderly and vulnerable people can address heating issues in many homes across the North West.A new package of SEAI grants announced by the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O'Brien this weekThe National Residential Retrofit Plan 2026 introduced a suite of enhanced supports designed to make home energy upgrades more affordable and accessible.It's thought that the funding could help the Country meet it's climate emission targets. Sligo Councillor Tom McSharry says the cost of living and heating homes is a primary concern for many people at present. He says it's vital financial barriers that have prevented many from making their homes warmer are remove without delay.

A Sligo Senator has criticised the Government over the exclusion of three local school projects from the Department of Education’s latest priority list.   Senator Nessa Cosgrove made the comments after  Ursuline College in Sligo, Gaelscoil Chnoc na Ré and Scoil Mhuire in Carrick-on-Shannon, all of which she says are in urgent need of new buildings were not included on the list.  The Labour Senator says students, staff and parents will feel deeply disappointed after years of waiting and repeated engagement with the Department.   Speaking in the Seanad, Senator Nessa Cosgrove says the scale of frustration locally cannot be underestimated.   

A Bill being put forward on fossil gas infrastructure is being criticised.  Friends of the Irish Environment says accelerating LNG does not protect the country from geopolitical instability, price shocks or supply disruption. The practice of fracking was banned after a successful campaign led by the former Sligo Leitrim Deputy Tony McLoughlin.  Director of Friends of the Irish Environment Tony Lowes says fracked gas is not secure:

A report published today by the Money Advice and Budgeting Service has highlighted how homeowners affected by defective concrete are falling behind on their mortgage payments.The report has found that the issues are interlinked with homeowners affected being of higher risk of falling into arrears.The body is calling for urgent support for people affected by the scandal with the establishment of a new scheme to aid in mortgage payments.Karl Cronin - Area Manager at MABS North Connacht & Ulster says it's a perfect storm: