A Sligo Leitrim TD says efforts will be intensified over the coming weeks to ensure that a number of children with autism will be given access to a school place in west Sligo in the new academic year.

Presently, Owenbeg National School has space for only one child with three others looking to avail of such services.

Parents and school staff have requested the NCSE to re-open the second special class so that all children can be accommodated.

Fianna Fáil TD Eamon Scanlon says it’s vital that the children continue their studies in familiar surroundings. 

It’s been claimed that Donegal has been caught in a pincer movement

A cost-of-living crisis, the defective concrete crisis and infrastructure neglect are all said to be contributing factors.

It comes as CSO data for 2021 Donegal had the lowest disposable income per person in Ireland, more than 20% below the national average.

Speaking in the Dail, 100% Redress Party TD Charles Ward says local families are having to make shocking decisions:

The Taoiseach has been told that only 12% of cancer patients at Letterkenny University Hospital get treatment within the recommended timeframe.

It comes following today's damming report by the Irish Cancer Society, which says that getting timely access to vital tests and therapies ultimately depends on a 'postcode lottery'.

Speaking in the Dail, Aontu Leader Peadar Toibin asked when the HSE will deliver equal cancer treatment to all:

Residents in south Sligo are being encouraged to have their on the Tubbercurry Road Safety Improvement Scheme.

It includes two raised controlled zebra pedestrian crossings in the town centre.

The deadline for submissions is Friday July 18th at 5pm and more details can be found on Sligo County Councils website.

Local Fianna Fail Cllr Barry Gallagher say while the work will be positive, a lot more will need to be done to improve safety along the N17 generally:

The Department of Housing is under increasing pressure to provide the funding needed to restart the stalled social housing project in Finisklin.

It was revealed in recent weeks that the plans have been temporarily shelved due to concerns around costs.

The project would provide a total of 63 social homes for Sligo.

There are also calls for the housing minister to have a face-to-face meeting with Cllrs.

Local Sinn Fein Cllr Arthur Gibbons says everything must be done to get this back off the ground:

There are calls for a number of options to be explored to improve traffic issues in Donegal Town.

It comes as the one way new system is said to be causing chaos in the town centre and its thought locally by some that it should be completely reversed.

Talks between Council Officials and Cllrs are taking place with a view towards finding a solution.

Sinn Fein Cllr Noel Jordan believes that the assessment of turn offs and prioritising plans for link roads are key:

Two south Donegal County Councillors have clashed over housing development.

It’s after a recent Government report indicated that Donegal County Council is the worst performing local authority when it comes to meeting housing targets.

There were heated scenes at the latest sitting of the Donegal MD.

Fianna Fáil Cllr and Cathaoirleach of the Donegal MD Michael Naughton feels that the local authority could be doing more and that it shouldn’t be a blame game .

Cllr Jimmy Brogan believes that the Government has unfairly blamed the Council when it really comes down to funding issues:

There are concerns over water supplies in parts of Donegal ahead of a warm spell of weather about to hit the country.

Uisce Eireann is asking the public to conserve water and help protect supplies nationwide.

They claim that there are 32 schemes already in ‘draught status’ with not enough water to meet to supply.

One of the counties of most concern is Donegal.

The utility says the recent hot weather and lack of springtime rain means the network is under a lot of pressure.

Three water conservation orders are in place around the country and more could be implemented if the heat continues.

There are calls on the Government to provide more supports for the rural post office network.

It comes as figures from An Post this week revealed that there were 31 post office closures over the past ten years.

19 of those closures were in Donegal, 8 were in Sligo while there were four closures in County Leitrim.

They are some of the 257 closures nationally since 2015, with 201 located in rural areas.

Speaking in the Dail, Sinn Fein Donegal TD Padraig MacLochlainn says it's not a rural issue, and more needs to be done to safeguard the future of the service:

Flooding fears are said to be growing in Killybegs.

Some properties on Bridge Street were badly hit last year when the local river burst its banks.

There has been some heavy rainfall in recent days which has sparked renewed concern that the area could fall victim to flooding again.

Flood mitigation works have been earmarked to take place there but there are calls for this work to be fast tracked.

Fine Gael Cllr Michael Boyle says those affected need to be reassured that their homes are safe: