Hands off Domiciliary Care Allowance O’Mahony warns Hanafin

Fri, Jan 23, 2009

Mayo Fine Gael TD John O’Mahony has said that any attempts by the Minister for Social Welfare, Mary Hanafin TD, to impose cut backs on the Domiciliary Care Allowance or the Domiciliary Care Respite Grant will not be tolerated and he has warned the Minister to back off.

Sinn Féin ratifies council contenders

Fri, Jan 23, 2009

The membership of Mayo Sinn Féin has unanimously ratified its team to contend the county council elections next June. The party’s local election convention held in Castlebar last weekend also endorsed the candidate to contest the Castlebar Town Council elections.

Sinn Féin’s election team is unique in the county as 50 per cent of those selected are female. The convention chairperson Councillor Seán MacManus highlighted the need for political parties to address the gender imbalance that exists on local authorities and congratulated the Mayo membership for putting together a strong team that would also represent the women of Mayo.

Martin hits back at Irish Independent Westport article

Fri, Jan 23, 2009

Westport is feeling the recession like the rest of Ireland but an article in last Friday's Irish Independent drew “an inaccurately dire picture of Westport's economic status” said Labour's Keith Martin, who is also a member of Westport’s Job Creation Taskforce.

Call for action plan for intelligent transport systems and services

Fri, Jan 23, 2009

Fine Gael MEP Jim Higgins has called on the Government to draw up a strategic action plan to increase research and development in the field of intelligent transport systems and services, associated with the EU-owned Galileo satellite. The satellite, which uses highly advanced navigation technology, is seen as a key step towards the creation of thousands of high-end jobs across the EU.

VAT on new homes should be reduced for first-time buyers - Ring

Fri, Jan 23, 2009

The Fine Gael spokesperson on community, rural and Gaeltacht affairs Deputy Michael Ring has called for a reduction in VAT charges in order to stimulate new house sales. But Dep Ring is empathic the benefit should only apply to first-time buyers and not developers.

Live register almost doubles for those under twenty five - Kenny

Fri, Jan 23, 2009

Fine Gael Leader Enda Kenny TD is disappointed that the live register has almost doubled for those under 25 years of age in Co Mayo. The increase from December 2007 to December 2008 is 97.6 per cent, jumping from 929 people to 1,836 people.

Claremorris Fianna Fáil team selected

Fri, Jan 23, 2009

Four candidates have been selected by Fianna Fáil to contest the Local Elections this June in the Claremorris are.

Ballina Toastmasters

Fri, Jan 23, 2009

The next meeting of Ballina Toastmasters takes place on Thursday January 22 in the Courthouse Hotel, Ballina at 8.30pm.

Ballina Toastmasters meet every second and fourth Thursday from September to May. New members are always welcome to join who will develop their skills in a supportive and nurturing environment. Go along to a meeting or call 087 970 2332 for more information.

Balla table quizzes

Fri, Jan 23, 2009

The next in a series of table quizzes to raise funds for the provision of a defibrillator for Balla Secondary School will take place in The Beaten Path, Brize, tonight (Friday January 23) commencing at 9pm sharp.

Coffee morning

Fri, Jan 23, 2009

Castlebar Le Chéile FRC in conjunction with the parish council is organising a coffee morning on Thursday January 29 in the Linenhall Centre from 10.30am to 12pm.

Male support group

Fri, Jan 23, 2009

Erris Cancer Awareness and Recovery Association is in the process of setting up a support group for men who would be interested in meeting and talking to other men who are experiencing illnesses similar to theirs or who have come through cancer treatment and feel they may be able to offer support to others.

Run for fun in Castlebar

Fri, Jan 23, 2009

If you are looking for an event to kick-start a healthy new year, the West of Ireland Fun Run is one to remember. Taking place on Saturday January 31 in Castlebar, the 10km Fun Run is the perfect opportunity to get active, get fit, and have fun.

E-paper

Read this weeks E-paper. Past editions also available from within this weeks digital copy.