The Government has been requested to increase the current budget for home care hours in Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal, and also expand past the current staffing cap.

The North West region has the highest percentage of residents over the age of 65, and potentially in need of home care packages.

It's feared that waiting lists are only going to worsen, with people then attending Emergency Departments and increasing overcrowding at hospitals.

Fianna Fail Cllr Edel McSharry says these issues need to be solved quickly:

A Leitrim Councillor says a new practice being deployed by Uisce Eireann in hiring contractors from outside of the county to deal with burst water pipes does not make sense.

Councillor Brendan Barry has expressed concern with the practice.

The Drumshanbo based elected representative says contractors based in the County are in a position to provide a fast and efficient service and are familiar with the locations of water infrastructure.

Speaking to Ocean FM the Sinn Fein Councillor says there are clear and obvious reasons why Uisce Eireann should be using locally based contractors.

It's been confirmed that 330 grants have been approved under the Croí Cónaithe grant scheme in Sligo.

The grant provides up to €70,000 for the refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties.

Government measures have previously been introduced to help alleviate parts of the housing crisis.

Among those, include staged payments under Croí Cónaithe which aims to make the scheme more accessible for people.

Mayor of Sligo Borough Council, Cllr Tom MacSharry says schemes such as that are there to be utilised by the public:

Serious safety concern have been raised over a road leading up one of south Donegal's top tourist attractions.

The Secret Waterfall, close to Kilcar, has become an increasingly popular place to visit, but with that has resulted in a major rise in traffic on the narrow route.

It's understood that there was one serious collision there in recent months.

Fine Gael Cllr Michael Boyle says while there are plans afoot to make the area safer, they need to be fast tracked and traffic calming measures also need to be introduced:

It's anticipated that long awaited works on the public toilets in Donegal Town will be completed ahead of the summer months.

Assessments are currently taking place to determine costings.

The works will include overall improvements to the facilities themselves and the building itself.

Fianna Fail Cllr Michael Naughton is confident that the works will begin shortly:

A Sligo Senator says it's vital that every effort is made to wipe out the practice of sex for rent in Ireland.

The calls from Senator Nessa Cosgrove come as a bill on the issue will be debated in the Seanad today.

Another Labour Senator, Laura Harmon's tabling the Bill.

It's being supported by a cross-party group of senators, along with a range of social groups including the National Women's Council, Rape Crisis Network Ireland, Women's Aid, the USI, and ICOS.

Nessa Cosgrove says that rising rents costs have left many women including international female students are at risk of being exploited

The Taoiseach has been called to immediately address the N15 in Sligo in relation to a number of developments.

There’s local urgency that the road be included in the National Development Plan, as well as a new rail line and greenway route selection to be done.

While there’s also calls for safety measures to be implemented at numerous junctions along the road.

Local Independent Cllr Michael Clarke says the North West has been left behind when compared to the rest of Ireland’s transport infrastructure:

Ocean FM broadcasted Hospital Requests, Oldies and Irish from Riverside in Sligo town last Sunday.

Listen back as Marion Fitzgerald speaks to those involved in the organising of and those who took part in the annual North West Hospice Memorial Walk in Sligo

The non-payment of several workers in Killybegs has been raised on the floor of the Seanad.

Over the weekend, it emerged that around 50 workers lost out on two days' pay.

That's after 750 tonnes of blue whiting which was destined for processing for human consumption at a local factory was sent for fish meal instead.

Local Senator Manus Boyle raised the matter during Tuesday's Order of Business in the upper house.

Senator Boyle ultimately, the situation has a number of knock-on effects to the local area:

Leader of the Seanad, Seán Kyne provided the Donegal Senator some advice in his response:

There are still homes and schools in Sligo without broadband and phone connection since Storm Eowyn.

The devastating storm knocked down power lines across the country, however a number of buildings haven’t had full power restored.

A number of elderly people in the region are without a broadband signal, and Moylough National School’s phone lines don’t work.

Local Fianna Fail Cllr Barry Gallagher says it’s unacceptable for services to be down two months later: