Latest news with #FrankFeighan
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
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
‘We'll put an end to students doomscrolling on smartphones' – Tánaiste vows to get young people ‘talking and laughing' again
Phone pouches for schools are now to be joined by other forms of secure storage after a cabinet decision this week. Funding of €9m was allocated in the last Budget for the pouches, which Sinn Féin immediately branded an example of government waste. However, a central procurement arrangement will be put in place to enable nationwide phone bans starting from the next school year. Schools can apply for funding support for 'phone-storage solutions', starting at primary school level, with post-primary schools to follow. Examples of phone-storage options include pouches, lockable boxes, cubby holes and drop-off and collection at the school office. 'This is a pragmatic and sensible way to proceed,' Mr Harris said. 'I think it will be welcomed by school principals, teachers, boards of management and, I believe, young people. 'We need to look at what more we need to do to allow our children be children. 'We need to allow them to learn and be educated in a safe environment, with the sounds of young people laughing and talking to each other – rather than doomscrolling on their phones during the day.' Guidance will soon be provided to all schools on putting policies in place to ensure they are mobile-free zones during the day. Students will be encouraged to disconnect and to learn, Mr Harris said. They could also 'make friends without the distractions that can arise from the use of mobile phones'. Further guidance will be provided to post-primary schools, outlining the terms, conditions and mechanisms to apply for funding. ADVERTISEMENT Fine Gael TD Frank Feighan said it was also about 'how young people might be protected from cyber bullying in the classroom setting'. He said that in Northern Ireland the phone pouch scheme was implemented, despite some opposition. 'It is clear that every school is different and must be enabled financially to implement their particular strategy on the curtailment of the use of smart phones during class time,' he said. A survey in 2023 of more than 1,000 school students, conducted by Studyclix, found that 83pc were worried they used their phones too much. A total of 38pc said they used their smartphone for more than four hours per day, with 60pc within this cohort using them for more than six hours.
