Galway Bay fm newsroom – Galway and the west of Ireland will have no national port if legislation being proposed the Government goes ahead.
The proposed Harbours Bill 2015 will designate Dublin, Cork and Shannon Foynes as Tier 1 ports of national significance.
Rosslare and Waterford will be designated as Tier 2 ports of national significance and there will also be ports of regional significance.
Galway West T.D, Éamon Ó Cuív says if the Bill is not amended, it’ll make it difficult for Galway Harbour Company to get funding for major development.
The Fianna Fáil T.D is calling on the Taoiseach to insist that Galway is classified as Tier 2 port.

The post Call for higher classification for Galway port appeared first on Connacht Tribune - Galway City Tribune.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Two million euro has been sanctioned for Galway Hospice.
The operational funding has been allocated by the Minister for Health and will cover the next 18 months.
1.6 million euro of the total has been set aside for 2016.
Galway West Fine Gael TD Brian Walsh says the funding is two-fold as it will also support the organisation in taking people out of acute hospital beds.
The funding will also support ongoing work on an extension to the existing facility at Renmore.
The six-bed expansion will bring the total number of beds to 18.
A planning application for a scaled back version of the project is now before City Hall.
The longer-term project will involve the development of a 26 bed unit at a greenfield site at Merlin Park, with capital funding yet to be secured.

The post €2m sanctioned for Galway Hospice appeared first on Connacht Tribune - Galway City Tribune.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Hospitality packages at Galway Races have almost sold out as the Ballybrit venue prepares to open for day one of the annual summer festival.
The first race goes to post at 5.15 this evening on the seven race card.
General Manager John Moloney says the facilities will be open from 3 this afternoon and is advising racegoers to arrive early.
He says hospitality has been sold out for all days right up to Saturday.
John Eagleton from Met Eireann says Wednesday and Thursday are likely to provide the driest weather during festival week.
And a reminder that Galway Bay fm will bring you full live coverage of all the races for the 7 days of the Ballybrit festival

The post Hospitality packages sell out at Galway Racing festival appeared first on Connacht Tribune - Galway City Tribune.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – The 2015 annual Irish Grassland Association Dairy Summer Tour will take place at two locations in the county tomorrow (July 28th) .
The tour will visit Noel O’Toole’s farm in Killimor and Henry Walsh’s farm just outside Oranmore.
This will showcase the two farmers at different stages of the expansion process.
Both farmers will give insights into how they successfully expanded their herd, lessons learned and key areas which should be focused on in every dairy farm business.
Chairman of the event Bernard Ging says people should book to avoid disappointment.

The post Galway to host national agricultural event appeared first on Connacht Tribune - Galway City Tribune.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Residents of Portumna and the surrounding area will be asked for their input on a new Local Area Plan for the town this week.
Loughrea area councillors raised concerns that the original date set for the consultation did not give them an opportunity to adequately discuss the 2015-2021 plan.
As a result, the six-week public consultation was postponed for two weeks, and will now begin on Friday.
A public meeting will also be held next month to allow members of the public to give their input on various aspects of the plan, including flood maps.
Cathaoirleach of the Loughrea district, Councillor Anne Rabbitte, says the consultation is an important part of shaping the future development of the town.

The post Portumna residents to have say on new Local Area Plan appeared first on Connacht Tribune - Galway City Tribune.

A city centre retail, office and residential building – part-owned by a former director of the disgraced Anglo Irish Bank – has been put on the market with a €23 million price tag.

Geata na Cathrach at the Fairgreen, which houses the Revenue offices and Ulster Bank among others, is owned by Tom Browne, the former Head of Irish Lending at Anglo, along with John Hughes, a former Head of Business Banking with AIB in Eyre Square.

The duo purchased what was originally known as the ‘Castlehope’ building – a massive 126,000 square foot block adjacent to the Radisson Blu Hotel – in 2008.

It was initially built by developers Bernard McNamara, Christ Hirst and Jerry O’Reilly.

The site stretches from beside the WebWorks building to the Radisson and includes Exchange House and Geata na Cathrach.

It includes 11 two-bed apartments, Loam restaurant, Atlantic Language School, Ulster Bank and Revenue. Tenants are not affected.

Currently, it is generating rent of more than €1.6 million per annum, and selling agents DTZ Sherry Fitzgerald have attached a €23m price tag.

Also for sale is 48,000 sq ft of office space in the Dockgate building at the Docks – which the two former bankers also own – with a price tag of €9m.

Mr Browne left Anglo in 2008 on a basic salary of €455,000 with an €800,000 bonus. Last year, he secured an extension of time on plans for a ‘facelift’ to the Castlehope development until 2019.

“Funding for the project could not be sourced to commence the development during the duration of the [original] permission due to the prevailing economic conditions and associated lending restrictions.

“The funding issue arose primarily as a function of the lack of a permanent occupier of the relevant commercial floor space and the poor state of the commercial sector during the financial crisis since 2008.

“However, having regard to the ‘bottoming out’ of the recession, [Mr Browne] is confident that the proposed development, which constitutes the provision of high quality alterations to an existing development, will be attractive to the market and achieve the required funding to implement the development in the coming years,” the application for more time read.

The post €23m price tag on block owned by former Anglo lender appeared first on Connacht Tribune - Galway City Tribune.

Some city families are allegedly being be ‘turfed out’ of their temporary hotel room homes this week to free up capacity for the lucrative Race Week market.

It is understood up to 22 homeless families living in emergency accommodation in city B&Bs, hotels, hostels and holiday units will be ‘moved out’ this week as race-goers take priority.

The homeless in hotels, in particular, are being forced to leave because the hotels have been pre-booked months in advance due to soaring demand during the city’s busiest time of year, Galway Race Week. This is the latest twist in the ongoing housing crisis that continues to worsen in Galway.

Galway City councillor, Mike Cubbard says the situation is a disgrace.

“These families have nowhere to go. Some of them haven’t a clue where they will go. I know one mother with six children who has to leave a hotel – she’s been told to go live with her family out the country. I know several people in this position.

“The homeless people who are living temporarily in B&Bs, hotels and hostels were on the RAS (Rental Accommodation Scheme) but the landlords pulled out and either left the scheme, sold up or moved back in themselves. They are in the temporary accommodation like hotels while they wait to get into two houses the Council has for people who are waiting to get a permanent Council house.

“But there’s only two – you could have 10 of them at least. And it’s like a conveyor belt. The problem is there are not enough houses. We need more houses,” said Cllr Cubbard.

The City Council pays for people’s hotel rooms as emergency accommodation and it is reimbursed by Government. Cllr Cubbard says the money would be better spent by bringing the scores of vacant Council houses back into use.

Meanwhile, Independent City Councillor Catherine Connolly has new figures, which confirm the housing crisis is real and worsening. There are some 4,474 households on the city’s housing waiting list, which equates to around 15,000 people. Some applicants for house on the list are waiting as long as 15 years for two-beds; and yet Galway City Council has plans to build just 13 houses over the next year, said Cllr Connolly. The waiting list figures do not include the 472 households who are on a Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) or the 117 households on Long-Term Leasing.

These two schemes will be replaced by HAP (Housing Assistance Payments) later this year, a policy, according to Cllr Connolly that “copper fastens reliance on the private sector” to provide housing.

Cllr Connolly said it is the, “most fundamental shift in social housing policy since the foundation of the state”.

“This HAP scheme will mean that as a matter of housing policy any tenant renting a private house and receiving this payment will be considered adequately housed and their name removed from the housing waiting list. In reality what has happened is that with simply a stroke of a pen, without any discussion and under the pretence and illusion of providing social housing, a housing applicant’s right to a local authority house has been removed,” she said.

The post ‘Homeless’ families turfed out of hotels for Races appeared first on Connacht Tribune - Galway City Tribune.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – A HIQA inspection has found that isolation facilities at Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe are insufficient and improvements are required in relation to environmental hygiene, maintenance and infrastructure development.
The authority carried out two unannounced inspections at the facility in March and April of this year.
Portiuncula Hospital has 158 inpatient beds, 12 five-day beds and 24 daycare beds.
The unannounced inspections were carried out on March 11th and April 21st.
The authority noted that the isolation facilities are inadequate and do not reflect the size, complexity and specialities of the service provided.
It adds that although efforts are ongoing to mitigate the risk of cases of C. difficile, it is made more challenging by the insufficient isolation facilities available.
The body was advised that plans to develop a 50 single room ward replacement block is at design stage.
It was also noted that there is considerable room for increase in hand hygiene compliance and a need to further progress the implementation of the antimicrobial stewardship programme.
This is in order to mitigate the risk posed by multi-drug resistant organisms and C. difficile.

The post Inspection finds isolation facilities inadequate at Portiuncula Hospital appeared first on Connacht Tribune - Galway City Tribune.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – A business intelligence firm is to create 50 jobs at its new base in Ballybrit.
Industrial Info Resources was first established in Galway in 2010 and specialises in industrial processing, heavy manufacturing and energy related industries worldwide.
The company is headquartered in Sugar Land in Texas where it was founded in 1983.
The Galway operation has been designated as its international hub, with responsibility for all markets outside the Americas.
The 50 positions being announced today will be rolled out over five years and will double the current workforce.
Minister for Business and Employment Ged Nesh will officiate at the opening of the firm’s new offices at Ballybrit around now (1.30pm).
The investment is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through IDA Ireland.
Ita Lynn is the IDA’s acting business development manager for the West.
She says today’s announcement will see IIR double its workforce here.
She says Galway is performing strongly in terms of attracting major multinational companies.

The post Ballybrit firm to create 50 new jobs at new Galway base appeared first on Connacht Tribune - Galway City Tribune.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – The Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council says the Tidy Towns process should be changed.
Peter Roche says the current system doesn’t recognise the hard work of communities in county towns and villages.
It follows the publication of a list of Ireland’s top 15 tourism towns, which did not feature any town or village in Galway.
Fáilte Ireland says eligibilty for the list was based on 2014 Tidy Towns results, and three Galway villages were invited to apply – Abbey Loughrea, Milltown and Monivea.
However, none of the three communities entered.
Councillor Roche says the Tidy Towns system is frustrating as was the case last year in his own area of Abbeyknockmoy.

The post County cathaoirleach calls for change to Tidy Towns process appeared first on Connacht Tribune - Galway City Tribune.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – The Department of Education is being called on to explain why some students living in the Annaghdown area have had their eligibilty for school transport ‘rescinded’.
Councillor James Charity says tickets for students attending Coláiste Baile Chláir were changed to ‘concessionary’ tickets, rather than ‘eligible’ tickets, which is what they were originally granted.
He says the decision affects 2nd and 3rd years students, who previously had ‘eligible’ tickets and also 1st year students, who were originally told they would be eligible.
The Post-Primary School Transport Scheme requires a minimum of 10 eligible children residing in a locality before consideration for school transport services.
There had been 12 students granted ‘eligible’ status in Annaghdown until Bus Eireann changed its decision calling it a ‘mistake’.
Councillor Charity has now contacted the Department of Education seeking an explanation as to why the pupils’ school bus tickets were changed.

The post Annaghdown pupils lose out on eligible school bus tickets appeared first on Connacht Tribune - Galway City Tribune.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Galway City Council has moved to allay fears that the number of homeless people has reached a crisis point.
In a statement issued to Galway Bay fm news, the local authority states that anyone who has been assessed in recent weeks and months for such services has been accommodated.
The city council statement outlines that when resources have reached capacity, the council will engage with the private sector to provide emergency accommodation.
This involves a combination of hostels, bed and breakfasts and hotels.
It adds that in some cases, during busy tourist season, individuals have been accommodated elsewhere, as was the case in the last week.
Galway City Council concludes that the issue of homelessness is a challenging one but it will continue to work with agencies such as Cope, Simon and Threshold in tackling the problem.

The post City council moves to allay fears over homelessness crisis appeared first on Connacht Tribune - Galway City Tribune.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – The Junior Jobs Minister says further job announcements are likely at a Ballybrit-based business intelligence firm.
Industrial Info Resources announced today that it is to create 50 jobs at its new base in Ballybrit.
The company, which is headquartered in Sugar Land in Texas, was first established in Galway in 2010.
It specialises in industrial processing, heavy manufacturing and energy related industries worldwide.
The 50 positions being announced today will be rolled out over five years.
The investment is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through IDA Ireland.
Junior Jobs Minister Ged Nash says Galway is set to remain an important destination for foreign direct investment.

The post Minister says more jobs likely at Ballybrit firm appeared first on Connacht Tribune - Galway City Tribune.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – The Minister for Health is being urged to invest in Clifden District Hospital, following concerns over its future.
Senator Trevor O’Clochartaigh says there are fears that services will be cut back, capacity reduced or that the hospital could be downgraded or closed.
HIQA is in the process of renewing registrations of facilities across the country, and Senator O’Clochartaigh says there could be bed closures to comply with new standards.
He says Clifden residents have voiced their fears over the future of the facility.
Senator O’Clochartaigh says major investment or a possible rebuild will be needed if Cliften District Hospital is to survive.

The post Minister urged to address fears over future of Clifden Hospital appeared first on Connacht Tribune - Galway City Tribune.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – A new Irish language summer school is being established in Connemara as part of Galway County Council’s 1916 centenary programme.
The first ever Scoil Samhraidh na Phiarsaigh which will be free of charge will take place in Rosmuc this Thursday.
It will feature talks on history and the Irish language, music, song, poetry and dancing.
Participants will also learn about the development of the Pearse’s Cottage Visitor Centre, and enjoy historical walks.
Interested participants can register by e-mailing Galway County Council before noon tomorrow.
Páid O’Neachtain from Oifigeach Forbartha Gaelige says it’s important to celebrate Ireland’s rich history and culture.

The post Rosmuc to host first ever Padraig Pearse summer school appeared first on Connacht Tribune - Galway City Tribune.

Attendance was down slightly on last year on the second day of the Galway racing festival.
Just over 18,480 people travelled to the Ballybrit racecourse yesterday, down over 670 on the 2014 figure.
The crowds may may been down slightly but betting figures were up yesterday.
The Tote betting aggregate was almost €900,000, up €175,000 on the same day last year.
The bookmakers turnover was €1.3m, up €90,000 on last year.
‘Hint Of A Tint’ was the winner of the feature race, the Topaz Mile Handicap.
Among the crowd at the festival yesterday was the 20-times Champion Jumps Jockey AP McCoy and former Munster back-row Alan Quinlan.
Today is a day meeting with the first race going to post at 3pm on an 8 race card.

The post Attendance down and betting up on second day of Galway racing festival appeared first on Connacht Tribune - Galway City Tribune.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – City councillors will receive a full report on the Lough Atalia/College Road one-way system this Autumn.
The controversial loop was put in place during the works at Lough Atalia bridge and was extended by three weeks as a trial at the end of May.
The one-way was originally introduced to facilitate the lowering of the road under Lough Atalia bridge.
This was required to accommodate high sided vehicles.
The whole project of works is currently being reviewed and a report containing traffic data will be presented to councillors in the coming months.
The report will also look at whether the ban on right hand turns at Moneenageisha and College Road should be lifted.

The post City council to receive report on Lough Atalia one-way system appeared first on Connacht Tribune - Galway City Tribune.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – A Galway Fine Gael TD has hit back at claims that the government has failed to support Galway’s marine infrastructure.
Deputy Sean Kyne has taken Fianna Fáil deputy Eamon O’Cuiv to task after he claimed the goverment had only funded the repair of one local authority pier in Galway this year.
Deputy Kyne says the government has invested 225 thousand euro in two piers as part of a marine improvement works programme for 2015.
He says the government has given significant support to Galway’s marine infrastructure.
Deputy O’Cuiv says the level of funding provided by the government is inadequate given the number of piers and harbours across Galway.

The post TD defends government investment in Galway’s marine infrastructure appeared first on Connacht Tribune - Galway City Tribune.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – The National Roads Authority is being urged to consider providing a roundabout at the N67/N18 junction at Kilcolgan.
Loughrea area councillor Joe Byrne says the current junction is not user-friendly, and motorists are at risk of being involved in an accident.
He says once the Gort to Tuam motorway is open, the road between the Kiltiernan intersection and Kilcolgan will become a road of strategic importance.
He says a 1.8 million euro residual works fund ringfenced for 2015 should be used to fund a new roundabout to make the road safer.

The post Call for new roundabout at Kilcolgan appeared first on Connacht Tribune - Galway City Tribune.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Over 64 thousand euro has been allocated for flood mitigation works in the Portumna area.
The Office of Public Works is providing the funding to Galway County Council to carry out works at Maghanearla, Cappakeela, Tynagh Road and Thornfield.
The largest project is located at Tynagh Road, where over 31,600 euro will be spent channelling water run-off from agricultural land in open channels and pipes through adjacent road margins and agricultural lands.
Galway East TD Paul Connaughton says the money will help to alleviate some of the issues in the South Galway area, but there is a need for continued investment.

The post Funding for Portumna flood relief works appeared first on Connacht Tribune - Galway City Tribune.