Jigsaw has called for continued action to embed stronger mental health supports and training in schools, following the publication of a new ESRI report on student wellbeing.

The report highlights that schools are increasingly on the frontline of youth mental health, with exams, homework and general school pressures the biggest stressors for young people.

Jigsaw says programmes like Neart are helping teachers build confidence, spot early warning signs and support students before problems reach crisis point.

Speaking to Ocean FM News Rachel White, Donegal Campaigns Officer, says Jigsaw is urging government to invest long-term in prevention, early intervention and clear pathways to specialist mental health services.

Residents along the N15 between Grange and the Leitrim border have raised safety concerns for many years, with petitions and repeated calls for action.

While a full upgrade of the N15 remains the long-term goal, Sligo County Council is now pushing for immediate safety interventions on accident-prone sections of the route.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland is examining a major road safety improvement scheme, with public consultation planned and construction hoped to begin in 2027, subject to approval and funding.

Speaking to Ocean FM News, Cllr Marie Casserly says the road is extremely dangerous and it's vital that urgent safety measures are finally delivered for the benefit of residents and all road users.

A Sligo Councillor is adamant that there must be a review into tax changes proposed for carers.

It's emerged that some local carers face a sizeable tax bill dating back years.

Revenue has written to more than 34,000 people that are potentially affected across the country.

Speaking to Ocean FM News, Labour Councillor Ann Higgins said that carers across Sligo are struggling to provide for their parents:

Concerns have been raised over the continued closure of beds at Killybegs Community Hospital, with 13 currently lying vacant despite growing pressure on acute hospitals.

Families in the wider Killybegs area say loved ones are being forced to relocate to hospitals and care facilities far from home, causing distress and disconnection.

The issue of staffing shortages and reduced services at the hospital's day care centre has also been highlighted, with calls for clarity on recruitment progress.

Speaking in the Seanad, Fine Gael Senator Manus Boyle says the beds must be reopened as a matter of urgency to properly support patients and families across the region.

The Oireachtas Transport Committee has been told taxi apps like Uber and FreeNow are shifting power away from drivers, with concerns raised over fixed fares and rising commissions.

Taxi representative groups warned the changes threaten driver incomes, undermine the regulated meter system and are reducing rural taxi availability.

Calls were made for stronger regulation of app companies or the creation of a publicly controlled booking system to protect drivers and passengers.

Speaking to Ocean FM News, Daithi Feehily, owner of Feehily’s Taxi, Coach and Bus Hire, said app technology has grown rapidly but high commissions are making it harder for drivers to earn a sustainable living.

Sligo is set to get the biggest share of Local Sports Partnership investment in the North West.

Local Sports Partnership in Sligo is receiving €483,000, Donegal is getting €477,000
while Leitrim Local Sports Partnership is receiving €226,000.

Nationally, it's been described as a record €33.36 million in core funding for sporting organisations in 2026,

Junior Minister Marian Harkin says the substantial funding is about making sport more inclusive:

The clean-up operation from Storm Eowyn in the North West and beyond could continue into 2027.

County Leitrim was one of the worst hit Counties when the severe weather event made landfall almost one year ago.

Semi-State forestry company Coillte has now stated that ongoing work will now take longer than originally forecast.

It estimates a total of 50 million trees were blown over or damaged during the storm, with around 20% of its trees recovered so far.

Leitrim Cllr Brendan Barry says many local forestry owners will be hugely disappointed:

A Donegal TD has accused the Government of deliberately leaving families living in dangerously defective homes to avoid paying out under the concrete blocks scheme.

Deputy Charles Ward says homeowners who clearly qualify under IS 465, including those with high mica levels and Group 4 damage, are being shut out through technical excuses.

The Doengal Deputy claims this is putting families in immediate danger, with people left afraid to live in homes officially classed as unsafe.

Speaking in the Dáil, the Independent Deputy says this is not a mistake but a deliberate pattern that must be stopped.

The January meeting of the Manorhamilton Municipal District of Leitrim County Council heard calls for the Local Authority in Leitrim to contact Sligo County Council seeking urgent remedial works on part of the N16.

The section of road in question runs from the county boundary at Gortnagrelly to Lugnagall.

Independent Councillor James Gilmartin raised the issue, adding that the section has deteriorated to an extremely poor condition, creating safety concerns and causing damage to vehicles.

Sligo County Council has informed its counterparts in Leitrim that the road is due for a new pavement scheme this year, subject to TII allocation approval.

Cllr Gilmartin says that, given the importance of this route, swift attention and necessary repairs are required as a matter of urgency:

Serious concern has been raised over the wastewater treatment plant in Carrick in Donegal.

The system is said to be currently operating at overcapacity and this has led to fears that it'll put a halt to potential development and future growth in the area.

It has led to urgent calls for an environmental impact assessment to be carried out.

Local Cllr Jimmy Brogan believes that the thorough investigation and the appropriate action are urgently needed: