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McHugh calls for 1916 Commemoration Medals for all Fire Service personnel

“The fire services are unique in that they are run by the Local Authorities of the country and aren’t a national organisation in the same way as the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána,” said Minister McHugh. “I think this has been an oversight and rather than relying on Local Authorities to recognise the role of the fire service during the 2016 commemorative year in their area, I believe there should also be a national award.

27th April 2017

Minister Harris gets green light for €1bn new children’s hospital

The Minister for Health, Simon Harris TD, today announced that the Government has approved the investment required to enable the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board to award the construction contracts for the building of the main children’s hospital on the St James’s Hospital campus and the two Paediatric Outpatients and Urgent Care Centres on the Tallaght and Connolly Hospitals campuses.

26th April 2017

McHugh: New framework for Town Centre Renewal will benefit towns in Donegal

Donegal TD Joe McHugh has said that the newly announced framework for Town Centre renewal will be of enormous benefit to towns and villages throughout Donegal. The framework aims to address the need for greater collaboration and support for town centre renewal across the country, with a particular emphasis on the role that the business community can play in collaboration with Local Authorities and other key stakeholders in setting a town on a sustainable path towards vitality and vibrancy.

26th April 2017

McHugh welcomes €22K for local pipe bands

Donegal TD Joe McHugh has welcomed new funding for two local pipe bands. Raphoe Pipe Band and Manorcunningham Pipe Band will receive the money through the Music Capital Scheme, supported by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and managed by Music Network. The Raphoe band is set to receive €13,695 and Manorcunningham band will receive €8,556.

26th April 2017

Fine Gael is helping to ‘make work pay’ for people with disabilities in Donegal – McHugh

“My Fine Gael colleague, the Minister for Social Protection, Leo Varadkar, has confirmed that people in receipt of Disability Allowance will keep their free travel pass for five years if they take up employment, and will also be given a guarantee that they will be re-instated on welfare if a trial of work doesn’t work out for them. “In addition, my colleague the Minister for Health, Simon Harris, has confirmed that his Department is committed to addressing what the Make Work Pay Report finds is the single most significant barrier for people with disabilities; people’s fear of losing supports.

25th April 2017

Regular respite a must for carers – Daly

A West Cork TD has drafted legislation that will entitle all full time carers to a respite period at least once every month. If enacted, Jim Daly’s new legislation will, for the first time ever, place respite services on a statutory footing, and compel the Health Service Executive to provide the care.

24th April 2017

Rates reform is good news for our small towns and shops – Mulherin

Fine Gael Senator, Michelle Mulherin, believes that new Government reforms to commercial rates will be good news for businesses and our local authorities.

21st April 2017

O’Dowd reiterates call for Empty Home Tax in RPZ’s

Fergus O'Dowd, Fine Gael TD for Louth and East Meath, is again calling on the Government to consider the urgent implementation of a Vacant Home Tax in Rent Pressure Zones (RPZ).

21st April 2017

McHugh encourages Donegal youth clubs to apply for new funding

“This year’s Local Youth Club Grant Scheme will see €48,226 allocated to the Donegal Education and Training Board for local volunteer led youth groups,” said Minister McHugh today. “Youth groups and clubs across Donegal will soon be able to apply to the Donegal ETB for funding under this scheme. “Youth clubs are part of the fabric of communities here in Donegal and must be supported.

20th April 2017

McHugh welcomes end of Chinese ban on live Donegal crab and new markets for Donegal beef

DONEGAL TD Joe McHugh has welcomed news that Donegal producers can begin to export live brown crab to China within the next three to four weeks. It follows a meeting between Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed and Chinese Minister Zhi Shuping in Dublin.

18th April 2017