A number of houses in the Tawnagh Group Water Scheme have been left disappointed as the current scheme has still not been upgraded.

It's understood that up to 14 homes in the Riverstown area involved in the scheme are operating from a well, with poor quality and unclean water being fed into their homes.

The scheme has seen the homes try to get connected to a water mains, but that still has not come to fruition.

Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Gerard Mullaney, says it's disappointing that no progress has been made on the matter.

Calls have been made in the Dáil for an immediate 10% increase in the Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme.

The issue was raised by Donegal Fine Gael TD Joe McHugh, who said the immediate increase would benefit around half of the current applicants for the scheme.

Junior Minister Malcolm Noonan said in response that the Government cannot increase the cap until June 29th, as the legislation will have been in effect for a year by then.

Deputy McHugh encouraged the Government to take the affected homeowners position into account.

Questions have been asked about the rollout of Construction Industry Schemes across county Sligo.

Up to €3m is available on application for the schemes in Sligo County Council, yet only €380,000 has been allocated for work to be carried out.

This has led to frustration in Sligo, particularly in rural areas.

Fianna Fail councillor, Paul Taylor, says the schemes need to be funded properly, or not funded at all.

The confirmation that a number of Ukrainian refugees will be forced to leave their accommodation in Drumshanbo has been brought before the floor of the Dáil.

In recent days it was confirmed that 170 Ukrainian refugees who have been staying at the Lough Allen Hotel has been told to move on and find alternative accommodation by the end of the month.

Sligo-Leitrim TD Martin Kenny says a number of the refugees have integrated themselves in the community and the wider Drumshanbo area.

The Sinn Féin Deputy says it will have a number of serious knock-on effects.

It looks as though the Government will restore the 9% VAT rate for the hospitality sector.

Although it has not been confirmed officially, Minister for Finance Michael McGrath has said that reducing the rate will be considered in Budget 2025.

Up to 600 restaurants around the country have closed their doors permanently since the VAT rate went back up to 13.5%.

Local restauranteur, Anthony Gray, says he hopes that the Government have seen sense on the matter.

Flash flooding has led to excess water and raw sewerage running through the streets of Manorhamilton.

It is said that the town’s water infrastructure is outdated, and has resulted in strengthening the effects of the flood.

A number of businesses have been affected from yesterday’s storm, with the damage yet to be fully assessed.

Manorhamilton Independent Cllr Felim Gurn says Irish Water need to fix the current set up, and that it’s crucial there isn’t the same amount of rainfall again.

There have been calls for priority planning for farmers, landowners who wish to plant their land rather than large corporations.

Concerns have previously been expressed over future forestry plantations in the north west.

Just last year, Coillte announced it and British investor Gresham House would purchase large quantity of lands in the region.

This led to number of organisations condemning the decision, which saw Coillte receive €200 million to try and reach a target of 18 per cent forestry cover.

Local election candidate in the Manorhamilton Municipal District, Eddie Mitchell says its important that those living locally benefit first: 

It's been confirmed that infrastructure works are due to take place in the coming weeks to develop a new four bay unit at the rental dialysis unit at Sligo University Hospital.

Currently, there are 63 availing of the unit, which has previously been described as one of the oldest in the country.

Overcrowding and lack of facilities are just some of the issues that are said to impacting on both staff and patients.

Fianna Fáil Councillor and member of the Regional Health Forum West, Dónal Gilroy says the development ease the existing pressure and demand on the service:

There are concerns that not all bus stops in Sligo are wheelchair accessible.

A request has been made that the county council ensure that the bus stops are all up to an acceptable standard.

A number of wheelchair users have contacted local representatives over the current situation.

Sligo-Strandhill People Before Profit Cllr Gino O’Boyle, says this is a matter that should be solved sooner rather than later.

Calls have been made locally to scrap the Universal Social Charge.

The charge was brought in during the crash to help Ireland restabilise financially, with the intention of scrapping it when certain goals were met.

However, the USC is still in place.

Independent Councillor Michael Clarke feels that it's unfair that people now are still paying for a previous generation's mistakes.