Latest news with #Feighan
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- General
- Irish Independent
Nine Sligo outdoor projects to receive €353,931 in funding under National Recreation Strategy
Deputy Frank Feighan said the funding directly supported the ambition of the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 'Embracing Ireland's Outdoors'. The successful projects include: Pre-works studies for Sligo County Council to proceed with the statutory approval process for Phase 2 of Gibraltar Rocks Swimming Pool restoration - €50,000 Studies and designs to enable the upgrading and expansion of existing outdoor recreation facilities at Lough Gara – €45,000 Upgrade works phase 2 to ensure inclusivity and equal access for all abilities by upgrading the infrastructure at The Gleniff Barytes Millsite – €18,931 Upgrading of existing Curry outdoor swimming pool dressing shelters – €40,000 To improve public access to the summit of Muckelty Hill trail with the introduction of steps, trail seating and furniture - €40,000 Upgrading of Queen Maeve Trail parking and trailhead facilities at Rathcarrick to include surfacing, landscaping, and trail furniture – €40,000 Revamping and updating of the website – €40,000. The Warren Way renovation project entails surfacing of the trailhead and trail resurfacing – €40,000 Essential maintenance work on outdoor recreation sites along Yeats Trail – €40,000. Deputy Feighan said: 'When projects are delivered, this funding will provide a major boost to the local economy by attracting visitors and furthering our reputation as a destination for adventure tourism. 'This new funding is going to make a big difference for outdoor amenities in Sligo making them even better for local families and visitors alike. It's so important to get out and make the most of what our outdoors has to offer. 'I want to thank the community groups across County Sligo who work so hard to develop and enhance recreational amenities in our local community, and work on developing detailed applications. 'In conclusion I wish to acknowledge the assistance of Minister Dara Callery who allowed me the opportunity to support a number of the projects. 'These amenities are here for us all to enjoy. I really encourage everyone to get out there and enjoy the incredible outdoor spaces our region has to offer.'
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- General
- Irish Independent
Funding of €50k allocated for the next phase of Gibraltar swimming pool restoration project
Deputy Frank Feighan said the funding directly supported the ambition of the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 'Embracing Ireland's Outdoors'. The successful projects include, Pre-works studies for Sligo County Council to proceed with the statutory approval process for Phase 2 of Gibraltar Rocks Swimming Pool restoration. €50,000 Studies and designs to enable the upgrading and expansion of existing outdoor recreation facilities at Lough Gara. €45,000 Upgrade works phase 2 to ensure inclusivity and equal access for all abilities by upgrading the infrastructure at The Gleniff Barytes Millsite, €18,931 Upgrading of existing Curry outdoor swimming pool dressing shelters €40,000 To improve public access to the summit of Muckelty Hill trail with the introduction of steps, trail seating and furniture, €40,000 Upgrading of Queen Maeve Trail parking and trailhead facilities at Rathcarrick to include surfacing, landscaping, and trail furniture. €40,000 Revamping and updating of the website. €40,000 The Warren Way renovation project entails surfacing of the trailhead and trail resurfacing. €40,000 Essential maintenance work on outdoor recreation sites along Yeats Trail, €40,000. Deputy Feighan said: 'When projects are delivered, this funding will provide a major boost to the local economy by attracting visitors and furthering our reputation as a destination for adventure tourism. 'This new funding is going to make a big difference for outdoor amenities in Sligo making them even better for local families and visitors alike. It's so important to get out and make the most of what our outdoors has to offer. 'I want to thank the community groups across County Sligo who work so hard to develop and enhance recreational amenities in our local community, and work on developing detailed applications. 'In conclusion I wish to acknowledge the assistance of Minister Dara Callery who allowed me the opportunity to support a number of the projects. 'These amenities are here for us all to enjoy. I really encourage everyone to get out there and enjoy the incredible outdoor spaces our region has to offer.'
Irish Independent
11-08-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
€321,000 in additional fund to upgrade rural roads across county Sligo
The additional funding has been welcomed by a number of local public representatives. Deputy Frank Feighan said the investment would improve access to rural homes, farms, and outdoor amenities as part of the Local Improvement Scheme. 'It's great to see €321,645 allocated to Sligo County Council for rural road improvements. 'We all know a road or laneway across the county that is in real need of an upgrade. 'The Local Improvement Scheme is designed to support the continued improvement of non-public roads in rural communities and improves access to rural homes and farms, as well as outdoor amenities such as our lakes, rivers, mountains, and beaches. 'Across the country there is an additional €14 million for the scheme, bringing the total to €30 million available to our local authorities this year. 'This represents the highest annual funding level since the scheme was re-introduced. 'We are dedicated to improving connectivity for rural residents – whether it be access to homes, farms, or outdoor amenities. 'Under this scheme Sligo County Council are responsible for identifying and prioritising roads for improvement works in Sligo in consultation with residents and landowners, and the work must be completed by the end of the year. 'Eligible roads include non- public roads providing access to parcels of land where two or more are owned or occupied by different people, one of which must be for agricultural purposes, and non-public roads leading to important community amenities such as graveyards, beaches, piers, and mountains. 'While well over €321,000 is very welcome and will further reduce the current list, 'I will continue to press again next year for further funding, we need a significant allocation annually to have an impact on the long waiting lists,' said Deputy Feighan. Minister of State, Marian Harkin said the total funding for Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal under the scheme to more than €4.12m in 2025. An additional €528,098 went to Leitrim giving a total of €901,577 while Sligo received an additional €321,645 amounting to €829,421 allocated for rural roads in the county under the Local Improvement Scheme in 2025. 'As discussions around the revised €200bn National Development Plan (NDP) begin to take shape, investment in rural roads and infrastructure will remain my key priority. 'I will continue to advocate for balanced regional development and improved connectivity across rural Ireland,' said Minister Harkin. The funding has also been welcomed by Cllr Thomas Walsh said:
Irish Independent
02-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Medical Council urged to review how sick certs are being issued online with no phone or video consultations
Fine Gael TD, Frank Feighan, said there are 'serious issues and concerns' among employers and argued the online system is 'wide open to abuse'. The Sligo-Leitrim politician raised the matter in the Dáil on Wednesday afternoon following an Irish Independent investigation earlier this week. 'When it comes to someone's health, it is vital that a consultation takes place between a doctor and patient,' he said. 'From a medical practitioner's point of view, an employer's point of view and patient safety, there are some serious issues and concerns here.' Mr Feighan said he was aware that health minister, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, had been in touch with the Irish Medical Council about the matter and 'hoped some action will be taken following the interaction'. Minister MacNeill said 'it is an issue for enterprise, social protection and indeed health'. 'The Medical council is there to protect the public. Part of that is registering doctors and part of that is making sure they are operating to a very high standard. 'I would encourage the Medical Council to reflect on the issue that you have correctly highlighted, recognising the impact it may have on employers, particularly small businesses, and I can assure you that everyone in Government takes a strong interest in this'. The Irish Independent investigation revealed how employers are having to accept digital sick certs issued without any phone or video consultations being carried out by doctors - even though the Department of Social Protection refuses them for social welfare schemes because they do not meet the standard required. Certs are being advertised on some medical websites for between €25 and €45, with students and employees required to fill out an online questionnaire to allow their request to be reviewed. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more When Irish Independent reporters applied to six websites for sick certs complaining of headaches and flu symptoms, three arranged a phone call with a GP. Four of the sites did not ask for proof of identification and all provided a cert within a short timeframe. Medical professionals say that digital certification helps keep infectious people out of clinics and workplaces, and frees up scarce GP time. While the Irish Medical Council's guidelines do not require live interaction before a doctor signs off on a sick cert, concerns have been raised that the online system may be open to exploitation. Certs are also being provided to Irish students and employees by doctors based in countries outside the EU, who do not appear to be registered with the Irish Medical Council. The Sick Leave Act states certs have to be signed by GPs registered to practice here. The Irish Medical Council has been contacted for comment.
Irish Independent
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Independent
Sligo to get extra EV charging hubs
An allocation of almost €8 million will be provided to support grants for recharging infrastructure at the selected sites, with chargers set to be in place by the end of this year. These new sites will deliver 175 new fast and ultra-fast recharging points, at 53 locations along the national road network, making it quicker and easier for EV drivers to top up on longer journeys. The announcement is part of a wider plan to build a reliable recharging network across the country, with the distance between recharging hubs to be 60km or less. The recharging hubs are funded through the Light Duty Vehicle (LDV) initiative operated by Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI), and delivered by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). This phase of the initiative focused on over 1,200km of national single carriageway roads. Enterprises such as petrol/service station operators, car park owners, hotels, supermarkets/retail outlets, and others with publicly accessible sites, could apply through a competitive grant process for funding. The total allocation for this aspect is €7.9 million. Applegreen, Carraroe, Sligo N4; Whiteside's SuperValu, Ballisodare, N4; Surlis SuperValu, Tubbercurry, N17; Drive Service stations Ltd, Sligo, N17. Sligo Leitrim TD, Frank Feighan has welcomed the announcement of the nomination of 7 sites across Leitrim, South Donegal, and Sligo. 'It is vital for this region and constituency that we expand our EV charging network to facilitate EV owners who visit this region for either work or leisure purposes. 'I would like to see more of our smaller villages and towns get the funding to provide town centre fast charging EV points to ensure that more and more people have the opportunity to visit our locality including EV owners without the concern of range anxiety,' said Deputy Feighan. The nominating sites in Leitrim are: Rooney's Supervalu, Manorhamilton and Rosebank Retail Park, Carrick-on-Shannon.
