Minister publishes Return To Work protocol

Sat, May 09, 2020

The Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD, today Saturday, 9 May 2020 published the National “Return to Work Safely Protocol”. The Protocol clearly and comprehensively sets out the steps and processes that businesses must take to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace.

The Protocol was developed and agreed in consultation with the members of the Labour Employer Economic Forum, which is the forum for high-level dialogue between government, and union and employer representatives on labour market issues. Participants in this process included Ibec, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Chambers Ireland and the Construction Industry Federation. It is the result of a collaborative effort, led by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, and involving the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), the Department of Health and the HSE.

Next two weeks are crucial, says Saolta chief

Thu, May 07, 2020

The next two weeks are crucial in terms of weakening the grip of Covid-19 and building on the significant progress made in suppressing the virus, the chief executive of the Saolta University Health Care Group said this week.

6,000 nursing home residents and staff tested in west

Thu, May 07, 2020

A total of 6,000 nursing home residents and staff in the west have been tested for Covid-19 as part of a mass countrywide initiative aimed at identifying those affected by the virus in these facilities.

‘We ran out of body bags’ — Galway nurse describes life in a COVID unit in US hospital

Thu, May 07, 2020

Wearing the same PPE for seven weeks, running out of morgue space and body bags and a lack of beds — these were some of the conditions a Galway nurse working in the US, described in an interview this week.

Council must set up a business forum to help bars and restaurants re-open, says Higgins

Thu, May 07, 2020

New ideas need to be debated on how to allow bars and restaurants re-open, and the only way this can be done is through the establishment of a city business forum.

Moycullen Bypass construction on course to begin in 2020

Thu, May 07, 2020

The Moycullen Bypass is on course to commence later this year. Tender documents are almost complete and pre-qualification for contractors will take place in June.

Galway is in an ideal situation to exit lockdown early

Thu, May 07, 2020

Galway is in an ideal situation to exit lockdown early and in my opinion we should be in a position to do so more quickly than other parts of Ireland.

Connolly demands clarification on measures taken to protect hospital laundry staff

Thu, May 07, 2020

Hospital laundry staff are "absolutely essential" to ensure infection is managed "in the most effective way possible", which is why a newly proposed rota system must be enacted.

Farrell brands as 'ridiculous' carbon tax hike during Covid-19 emergency

Thu, May 07, 2020

Hiking the cartoon tax at a time when households have seen their incomes collapse due to the Covid-19 pandemic, is "a ridiculous decision".

HSE to roll out software to allow healthcare professionals hold consultations with patients

Thu, May 07, 2020

Children with developmental conditions, and other patients in Galway, will be able to remotely attend vital consultations with healthcare professionals, following a decision to roll out new specialised software.

Failure to impose New Zealand-style entry restrictions 'baffling' says Farrell

Thu, May 07, 2020

It is "not too late" for the Government to enact a travel ban on all people entering this State, with the exception of residents, as part of the overall effort to combat the spread of Covid-19.

Hoare welcomes new modular homes in Westside

Thu, May 07, 2020

Fine Gael Councillor Eddie Hoare has welcomed Galway’s first modular hub which was opened in Westside yesterday.. The €2m facility will be managed by the Peter McVerry Trust and comprises of 15 family homes, additional offices, a meeting area and staff welfare facilities. It will provide temporary accommodation for families who are currently in emergency accommodation and awaiting allocation.

Galway SMEs to have energy bills slashed in coming months

Thu, May 07, 2020

Small- and medium-sized enterprises, which have had to close in Galway during the Covid-19 pandemic will have their energy bills slashed in the coming months.

Government Covid Package welcome, but more needs to be done, says Cheevers

Thu, May 07, 2020

While the Government's €6.5 million Covid-19 support package for businesses is welcome, more needs to be done in relation to the commercial rates aspect of the plan.

Local researchers trialling social distancing app

Thu, May 07, 2020

Researchers at NUI Galway’s Health Innovation via Engineering (HIVE) Lab, led by Professor Derek O’Keeffe, have developed a new smartphone app to help with social distancing. As recommended by the World Health Organisation, one of the basic principles in minimising the spread of this infectious disease is social distancing. It is currently suggested that people should have a space of at least 2 metres around them to reduce the chance of respiratory spread of the disease from person to person.

Big lottery win in Athenry

Thu, May 07, 2020

A lucky Galwegian is €500,000 richer after the National Lottery revealed that its Daily Million Plus top prize was won by a player in Athenry.

The National Lottery is now asking its Daily Million players in Athenry and its surrounding Galway areas to check their tickets. The winning ticket was bought at Joyce’s Service Station, The Arch on the Caheroyn Road, Athenry.

Major stability fund urgently needed to support local authorities says Canney

Thu, May 07, 2020

Minister for Rural Affairs Seán Canney has called on the Government to put in place a stability fund to support local authorities.

Minister Canney said; “Local authority incomes have been slashed because of the Covid-19 crisis. Many local authorities will run out of cash with the sharp decline in rates, planning fees, rents from social houses, and other incomes. There is no certainty as to when income will flow again. Meanwhile we need our local authorities to deliver essential services.

No summer Galway International Arts Festival but there will be autumn events

Fri, May 01, 2020

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Galway International Arts Festival today confirmed that the Festival will not go ahead as planned this July. However, the Festival is planning to present a special programme of events this Autumn, subject to guidelines. Full details to be announced soon.

10,000 Covid-19 tests will be carried out weekly in west

Thu, Apr 30, 2020

Up to 10,000 Covid-19 tests will be carried out weekly in Galway, Mayo, and Roscommon by mid May, according to the Tony Canavan, the chief executive of the Saolta University Health Care Group which runs the local public hospitals.

Funky fashion face masks from Stitches

Thu, Apr 30, 2020

Stitches Clothing Alterations and Drycleaning Service in Eyre Street has been proudly serving customers from Galway and surroundings for 40 years.

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