Ocean FM News Reports

Morale has never been as low among the farming community in rural Sligo.   That's according to Independent Cllr Joe Queenan who is warning that there will be food shortages in ten years' time due to a combination of new Government policy and that not enough young people are going into the profession.   Cllr Queenan says it's time for the Government to be more decisive in their actions as...

There's said to be increasing difficulty locally in finding suitable candidates for CE schemes.   The scheme is designed to help people who are long-term unemployed to get back to work by offering part-time and temporary placements.   It has been a huge success in Sligo, so much so that many people have gone to full time jobs leaving positions vacant.   However the currently criteri...

The National Transport Authority has today confirmed that there will be enhanced services provided on the S2 route in Sligo The NTA has responsibility for the provision, regulation and oversight of public passenger transport services. Sligo Leitrim Independent TD Marian Harkin met with representatives from the NTA earlier today. Deputy Harkin says it has been relayed to her that the frequency of b...

Over €177,000 has been allocated to counties in the North West for new Dog Control Support Initiatives. The funding has been annonuced today by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphries, as part of a suite of new measures to enhance dog control laws across the country. Sligo has received over €57,000, Leitrim is getting over €55,000, and Donegal has been allocated the most, w...

The Health Minister has confirmed that an expert team has been sent to Letterkenny University Hospital to investigate concerns raised over the ED. Both GPs and consultants have highlighted a range of issues affecting the facility in recent weeks and have requested Minister Donnelly to visit the hospital. So far, he has not paid a visit. Minister Stephen Donnelly was challenged by Donegal Sinn Fein...

Urgent calls have bene made for the provision of safety barriers on sections of the R200 from the Glan Gap towards Glangevlin. Cavan Fianna Fáil Councillor, John Paul Feely claims that there are substantial numbers of HGVs travelling on this road. He is predicting that, following investment at the Shannon Pot and Cavan Burren Park, there will be increased traffic levels and the need for further im...

A committee, which will oversee events at the Queen Maeve Square and Cleveragh Outdoor Performance Space, is expected to be set up in Spring/Summer of next year.   The redevelopment of the former Stephen Street car park is well underway and will see events such as festivals, concerts and markets held here in the future.   However, there's concern that there is too much of a focus on Slig...

There's calls for further queries made by local representatives to Sligo County Council to be sent directly to them.   It's been claimed that that there have been several recent incidents where one Cllr has made a query but that the response was then sent to several Cllrs.   Local Fianna Fail Cllr Donal Gilroy says that's not the way it used to be dealt with and the issue is causing conf...

A number of farming families in west Sligo are counting the cost following a fire earlier this year.   The blaze ravaged through over 100 acres of land, causing significant damage as a result.   It's understood that the fire was caused by someone burning rubbish however it's only recently emerged that farmers are being penalised regardless.   Local Independent Cllr Michael Clarke sa...

Issues surrounding Lough Melvin look set to eradicated following the publication of a comprehensive report has been published highlighting effective methods to safeguard the water quality there. Paul Johnston Associates, a leading fisheries consultancy specialising in fisheries conservation and freshwater ecology has published the report. It is the first report into Lough Melvin since the Northern...

Ireland's care system isn't working under current Government conditions. That's the view of Sligo Leitrim Labour Party representative, Nessa Cosgrove, as her party have called for the recruitment freeze for home help carers to be lifted. Currently, there are 83 people in Sligo and Leitrim on a waiting list to receive home support, and over 6,000 nationwide. In July, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil cut h...

The importance of the N16 to Sligo cannot be overestimated.   That's according to local Cllr Tom Fox, who has asked Sligo County Council to provide regular updates as it relates to future works.   The route links Sligo to Manorhamilton and onto the border with Northern Ireland.   Realignment works on various sections of the road have already taken place while further works are plann...

Questions are being asked over an application made by Sooey National School for two classrooms to cater to children with autism.   The number of students attending the rural schools has gone from just 12 in 1998 to 117 pupils in 2023.   The community purchased a nearby site some years back near the school for the purpose of an expansion of the school and other facilities for the locality...

A Sligo Councillor says parents of primary school children are being handed an opportunity to prevent the next pandemic that will impact youngsters. Sligo Strandhill Councillor, Sinead Maguire made the comments as the Education Minister will seek cabinet backing today for moves to curtail the use of mobile phones in primary schools. While Norma Foley's plan does not amount to an all-out ban on the...

The Agriculture Minister says nitrates derogation will be to the fore of discussions with the EU Environment Commissioner when he arrives later this month. Charlie McConalogue says he's accepted an invitation by him and the Taoiseach, and will visit Ireland on November 23rd. It follows major rows between farming groups and the government over changes to the current limits, which will take effect i...

Serious concern has been raised over the level of cleaning and maintenance of rivers in County Sligo.   It’s thought that regular upkeep would reduce the risk of flooding in a significant amount of towns and villages.   Local Independent Cllr Joe Queenan says in light of recent storms and adverse weather, the issue has never been more important.   Cllr Queenan feels though that ther...

With ongoing concerns over price discrimination in relation to bathroom and beauty products, one Midlands- North West MEP is calling for the issue to be resolved. At present, women are charged a so-called “pink tax” because they pay more than men for equivalent products. Maria Walsh is among those in the European Parliament calling for an end to the Pink Tax. MEP Walsh wants to see a standard pric...

Independent Councillor, Marie Casserly, feels that there is now less of a need for students to leave Sligo as a result.

The move to officially link St Angela's with ATU Sligo has been welcomed by a number of local representatives. Sligo Leitrim Fine Gael TD, Frank Feighan, described the occasion as a great day for the North West.

The incorporation of St. Angela's College into ATU Sligo has been described as a “no brainer”. St. Angela's College has now dissolved and has become a part of the ATU, the third largest third-level institution in the state now with nine campuses. Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris has visited St Angela's to mark the occasion this morning. Speaking to Ocean FM News at St Angela'...

A Leitrim councillor says changes to the septic tank grants announced over the weekend may go some way in addressing the problems that many home owners in the county are experiencing. The Minister for Housing, Darragh O'Brien, recently announced a 140% increase in maximum payments, which will see payments increase from 5,000 to 12,000 euro under the Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems Scheme. T...

It's hoped that Sligo homeowners affected by the defective block issue will be added to the Redress Scheme before Christmas.   Hundreds of residents are thought to be affected in the county and have been waiting to see when they would be added to the scheme so that they can begin the process of repairing or rebuilding their homes.   The Sligo Pyrite Action Group are expecting an answer f...

As a largely forgettable season for Sligo Rovers in the League of Ireland Premier Division draws to a close, Austin O’Callaghan, Gavin Dykes and Mark Rossiter discuss what needs to happen next at the Showgrounds…

A Leitrim Councillor is calling for the issues that currently exist in the local authority's housing section to be eradicated. Leitrim County Council is currently without a housing and assessment officer. The number of housing applications received for social housing support over the past 12 months up to September 2023 in the county was 258. While it also takes up to 16 weeks for an application fo...

Farmers are being urged to remain vigilant following the recent spread of Bluetongue (BTV) across Europe.     Infection with bluetongue virus is a non-contagious, insect-transmitted, viral disease of domestic and wild ruminants.     Several strains of BTV have been circulating in Europe with nearly 800 outbreaks confirmed.     The Divisional Veterinary Officer at the...