There's "something deeply wrong" with how home carers are treated by the state.

That's according to Galway West TD Noel Grealish, who says they save the health services millions of euro every year.

But he said the state then puts barriers in their way, making their lives even more difficult than they already are.

Deputy Grealish was speaking on a motion introduced by Galway East TD Sean Canney, calling for an end to the means test for carers allowance.

And speaking in the Dáil, Independent Deputy Grealish said home carers are not getting the support they deserve.

Galway Bay FM has returned with several awards at the Oscars of the Radio industry, the IMRO Radio awards, held in Kilkenny last night.

The Galway Bay FM News department won gold in the Best News Programme, regional and local category, for FYI Galway with Q102 taking silver and BBC Radio Foyle the bronze. 

On the Move presenter, Kayte O Malley won bronze in the Irish Music Programme or Initiative Category with her Plugged In Lyra Special. 

Head of News at Galway Bay FM Bernadette Prendergast said that it was wonderful to be recognised and acknowledged. 

As part of the 'Architecture on the Edge' Festival, UrbanLab have unveiled Samhlú Salthill, a perspective-shifting art installation.

With the help of local schoolchildren, the art piece reimagines the surrounding area - providing a glimpse of the potential future. 

Our reporter Chris Benn was at the launch in Salthill Park and spoke to University of Galway's Dr Pat Collins about the aim of the installation.

The Dáil has heard that Galway is "far behind the curve" when it comes to offering affordable housing. 

Independent Deputy Sean Canney said there's just one single affordable housing scheme in the entire county, including the city. 

That's the Garraí na Gaoithe estate in Claregalway, with the first homes to go on sale next month. 

Deputy Canney - who has a background in construction - outlined a range of reasons for why the housing crisis is as bad as it is. 

They included lack of wastewater capacity to enable greater development in rural towns and villages. 

Speaking in response, Tanaiste Micheal Martin said Deputy Canney had raised a very valid point. 

A special exhibition has been launched at Galway Museum to mark Positive Aging Week.

It aims to highlight the positive aspects of ageing - and recognises 27 Local Heroes from across Galway city and county for their positive promotion.

They include Renmore's Joe McCarthy, Stephanie O'Regan from Athenry, Peter Kelly from Clarinbridge, Mary Anne Wangari-Mullen from Westside and Cregmore's Donal Ryan.

Speaking to Chris Benn at the launch, they offered some advice to the younger generation.

Galway West TD Catherine Connolly has hit out at the Government's "empty rhetoric" on the future growth of Galway and balanced regional development.

Speaking in the Dáil, she raised the issue of lack of wastewaster capacity in the Galway metropolitan area - including Merlin Park, Oranmore and Barna.

She said the lack of this basic infrastructure is strangling growth, impacting on planning permissions - and projected growth simply cannot happen.

Deputy Connolly acknowledged the Mutton Island plant has plenty of capacity - but the major problem is the wider network connections.

She said there are a myriad of serious problems, and Government is aware of some of them for almost 20 years.