This month's meeting of Leitrim County Council has heard calls for the extension of the Help to Buy Scheme which has assisted 124 individuals and families to date in county Leitrim.

The scheme provides those that avail of it with up to €30,000 of their taxes back from the previous four years, towards a deposit to either build or purchase their first home.

Councillor Enda McGloin is supporting the governments extension of the scheme to the end of 2025 and has called for the scheme to be extended to the end of 2026.

The Fine Gael Councillor says the scheme provides certainty for prospective buyers or those seeking to build their first home.

A nurse based at Sligo University Hospital will be putting the pedal to the metal this month, as he aims to cycle 23 thousand kilometres from the North west to Australia.

The 11-month trek will see Fergal Guihen cross into 25 countries.

The 'Rossie to Aussie' challenge is all in aid of the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation and North West Stop suicide prevention.

The Arigna native says he will be travelling light on his adventure:

Leitrim County Council are to contact the HSE in relation to them immediately increasing Home Help hours.

The issued was raised at this week’s meeting in Kinlough by Fianna Fail Councillor Mary Bohan.

The Drumkeerin based elected representative says current provision is not adequate to cater for the numbers requiring the service and is causing delays in hospital discharges.

The former chef, and media personality Joe Shannon is being remembered as somebody that worked tirelessly for charitable organisations.

The funeral mass of our colleague and friend here at Ocean FM took place earlier in Saint Colmcille's Church, in Rathcormac.

The chief celebrant of today's funeral mass Cannon Tom Hever spoke of Joe's extensive work when it came to raising funds for different charitable groups throughout the county.

Cannon Hever also told the congregation how Joe's faith helped him through recent difficult times dealing with his illness.

With just under 9,000 currently waiting for off-the-job training, apprentices are said to be considering emigrating due to the delays.

Almost 4,000 have been waiting for six months to progress.

Local Sinn Féin councillor Arthur Gibbons has been contacted by many affected by the issue in recent weeks.

He says with a shortage of skilled workers already in Ireland, the country cannot afford to lose countless others due to the delays:

The March meeting of Leitrim heard calls call for the local Authority to urge the Minister for Minister for Children Roderic O'Gorman to adequately fund and increase capacity in the early childcare sector.

Sinn Fein Councillor Padraig Fallon says there is a shocking shortage of spaces, availability, and overall resources for this vital sector.

The Drumkeerin Councillor says the issue is impacting many people at present and many cant wait until there is a change of government:

It's been claimed that there are a number of bogus waste collectors operating in North Leitrim.

The fraudsters are reportedly advertising waste collection services on social media, with many local residents taking them up on their offer, not knowing that they're illicit.

The illegal operators call to the homeowner, collect the waste and are said to be disposing it in an unauthorised location.

Local Labour Election Candidate, Bernie Linnane says it’s a serious issue and that Leitrim County Council must take action:

A measles' vaccine catch-up programme will be rolled out following a second confirmed case here.

On Wednesday, the HSE was notified that a person in the West of Ireland had contracted the disease.

They are now finalising plans for the broader rollout of the MMR vaccine in response to the rise in the UK and Europe.

Monaghan GP Ilona Duffy says the new confirmed case makes vaccination even more important:

A Sligo Leitrim TD has sought clarity in the Dáil on when applications will be available for projects to draw down funding under the large scale Sports Infrastructure fund.

Deputy Frank Feighan raised the matter under a topical Issues debate in the Dáil.

He discussed Rovers plans which include a large-scale development plan to develop their facilities in Sligo.

The Fine Gael TD says  when the stadium is completed it could host international games as well as Rugby matches and will benefit the community with a number of services being based at the facility

The North West based elected representative claimed that while projects in Dublin are benefiting from such funding, more of an emphasis needs to be rolled out to regional projects:

Five months out from the Paris Olympics, Sligo boxer Dean Clancy - and his dad & coach Jason -sit down to chat with Ocean FM Sport about the fighter's preparations and aspirations.