Budget 2018 – a summary

Thu, Oct 12, 2017

Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe presented the second Budget of the Minority Government Fine Gael-Independent Coalition. Minister Donohoe announced that the total Budget package of €1.2bn favours expenditure increases over revenue reductions reflecting the Government’s commitment to invest in key areas such as education, health, childcare and housing. The Minister also announced additional capital expenditure of €4.3bn over the next 4 years.

Alcohol bill will save lives and reduce harm, says regional health forum member

Thu, Oct 12, 2017

Regional Health Forum
Member of Galway Healthy Cities - Galway Alcohol Committee

Member of Galway Healthy Cities - Galway Alcohol Committee

Galway City Council and NUI Galway agree new initiatives for regional development

Thu, Oct 12, 2017

Galway City Council and NUI Galway have signed an agreement to formalise joint plans for collaboration and development in Galway city. The signing of the “Poitiers Declaration” means NUI Galway is the latest of the Coimbra Group of long-established, multidisciplinary research European universities to agree cooperation initiatives within their local socio-economic environment. Galway joins cities from Barcelona to Vilnius in setting a programme of collaboration in areas as diverse as economic development, public transport and sport.

Ballinderreen Goes Strictly in Clayton tomorrow night

Thu, Oct 12, 2017

It’s glamour and Glitz as Ballinderreen goes Strictly tomorrow Friday October 13 when it sees the culmination of many months of hard work by twenty brave dancers in the first ever Strictly Ballinderreen Gala Event.

Bafta winner among experts to talk at Connemara Sea Week

Thu, Oct 12, 2017

Connemara Sea Week which runs from October 22 to 30, is a multi-disciplinary festival, celebrating the wonderful marine heritage of Connemara. The festival will celebrate its 33rd birthday later this month, and has grown to be a wonderful and unique event with something to interest all age groups. Highlights include art exhibitions, concerts, talks, walks, children’s activities, and sports events, combined with lots of great music and buckets of fun for all the family. A special highlight for the last few years has been the wonderful ‘After the Light’ parade, a spectacular night full of myth, magic, madness and mayhem.

Research needed into how ADHD manifests itself in girls

Thu, Oct 12, 2017

for more research into how Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder manifests itself in girls.

Galway woman Rose Kavanagh, who is the local co-ordinator of the Irish National Council of Attention Deficit Disorder Support groups (INCADDS), explains that ADHD presents itself differently in females.

Ó Cuív brands tenant purchase scheme a total failure

Thu, Oct 12, 2017

Fianna Fáil for Galway West Éamon Ó Cuív says the tenant purchase scheme introduced in 2016 by the last Fine Gael led Government has been a total failure.

Everything reduced this weekend at EZ Living Furniture’s annual Octoberfest sale

Thu, Oct 12, 2017

The annual Octoberfest sale kicks off at Ez Living Furniture, Galway this weekend, with massive reductions of up to 60 peer cent off everything in-store. This much- anticipated annual sale will give customers the opportunity to spruce up their homes for a fraction of the cost, without compromising on quality. Now that Autumn has arrived, it’s time to cuddle up with a cosy new armchair, invest in a high-quality mattress for a better night’s sleep or add a soft glow to your home with stunning gold candle holders and lanterns.

Criminal damage in city centre on night of hurling celebration

Thu, Oct 12, 2017

Gardai are appealing for information in relation to the criminal damage of a black Audi that was parked on Cross Street, outside Busker Brownes in Galway city centre.

The incident occurred on Monday night, September 4, going into Tuesday morning, September 5 at approximately 02.45am. This was the Monday night after Galway won the All-Ireland.

Galway City Council expresses solidarity with Catalonia after referendum

Thu, Oct 12, 2017

At the October meeting of Galway City Council, a motion expressing solidarity with the people of Catalonia on their recent vote in favour of the country’s independence was passed by a majority of elected members.

Considering the value of the Eighth Amendment - Ireland’s right to life amendment

Thu, Oct 12, 2017

I remember very well when I first got involved in the pro-life movement. I was at an information stand on Societies day in NUI, Galway and a second-year student approached me. She said, ‘Please tell people that it’s not the answer’. She had been through abortion. It was offered to her as a ‘choice’ that would liberate her but instead had caused her significant suffering. It’s distressing that her voice and the voice of many other women like her are not given a hearing during this debate. They deserve better.

Volunteer Galway launches wellness initiative

Thu, Oct 12, 2017

Volunteer Galway this week launched their Wellness Initiative during National Mental Health Week. The initiative emanated from a report published earlier this year by Volunteer Ireland titled ‘The impact of volunteering on the health and well-being of the volunteer’.

Almost 2000 people were surveyed around the country as well as focus groups taking place which examined the key factors involved in promoting feelings of well-being for those who volunteer and what makes a positive volunteering experience for someone.

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Thu, Oct 12, 2017

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Increase in childcare weeks ‘a step in the right direction’ says Rabbitte

Thu, Oct 12, 2017

An increase to the number of weeks of Early Childhood Care and Education children will be eligible for, announced under Budget 2018, has been called a “step in the right direction”, but problems still remain.

This is the view of Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs, Anne Rabbitte, who has expressed concern that the scheme has left the parents of more than one million children, who are either too young or too old to qualify for it, “without an alternative affordable childcare option”.

Limerick A&E overcrowding should serve as warning to Galway says Ó Tuathail

Thu, Oct 12, 2017

Despite the opening of a new Emergency Department in University Hospital Limerick, the hospital continues to suffer severe overcrowding, a situation that should serve as a warning to Galway and its own A&E crisis.

COPE Galway cautiously welcomes Budget 2018

Thu, Oct 12, 2017

COPE Galway has given a cautious welcome to the announcements for Budget 2018. The local organisation welcomes the allocation of €1.83 billion for housing to deliver almost 25,500 homes [including 5,900 social homes through construction and acquisition; 19,600 through the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS), the Housing Assistance Payment scheme (HAP) and Long Term Leasing in 2018].

Baboró Ambassador – Tracy Bruen

Thu, Oct 12, 2017

The 21st Baboró International Arts Festival for Children is just around the corner and kicks off this Monday October 16. As we continue our Baboró Ambassador series, we meet Tracy Bruen.

Join the Croí Night Run and help support a vital service for Galway

Thu, Oct 12, 2017

Many families in Ireland have been touched in some way by the effects of Ireland’s biggest killer, heart disease. Heart disease is a silent killer that has impacted on so many lives. Many of us have had personal experience with loved ones who have suffered a heart attack or stroke. When this happens, we can find ourselves overwhelmed by the initial shock and confused by the treatment and recovery process. This is when a charity like Croí is so important. Croí is a not-for-profit organisation which is dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. Croí provides a range of essential services for the general public that help to support patients and their families during the recovery process.

Croí patient and family support accommodation

Gaming and donuts combine for Cancer Care West fundraiser

Thu, Oct 12, 2017

Dungeons and Donuts will host its annual Game-A-Thon on Saturday October 28. The 24-hour gaming event, now in its third year, will see gamers playing for a full 24 hours to raise funds for Cancer Care West.

WRAP Fund can inspire a new generation of storytellers

Thu, Oct 12, 2017

I often think that the best inspiration for doing something creative is to drag yourself out to a bit of wilderness and let a chunk of nature put ideas into your head. Out here with just the wind and the rain and the waves and the hills and the greenness to act as your creative palate, it is amazing how soon things start to make sense and stories start to be created in your head.

E-paper

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