Ocean FM News Reports

Over €20.5 million in new Government funding has been announced to expand apprenticeship capacity across the higher education sector.

The investment will deliver 99 additional craft training blocks and support eight consortium-led apprenticeship programmes, creating almost 1,600 extra training places nationwide.

The expansion aims to meet rising demand for skills in areas such as electrical, carpentry, plumbing, mechanics and advance...

A Leitrim councillor is expressing concern with a recent statement from Uisce Eireann that coincided with the arrival of the spell of cold weather in the North West.

The advice urged households to winter-proof their homes by taking measures such as insulating exposed pipes, fix dripping taps and be aware where their stop valve is.

It also warned against leaving taps running.

Drumshanbo Councillor Brendan Barry says the advice would fa...

It’s hoped plans to the extend the capacity at St Phelim's Nursing Home, in Dromahair  will help to ease the pressure that many families are experiencing when it comes to finding places in nursing homes in the North Leitrim 

An application has been submitted to the Local Authority in Leitrim seeking approval for a 35 bedroom extension for the facility.

The application is seeking permission to construct an extens...

A Sligo Senator is calling for urgent clarity on the long-delayed building project for Ursuline College.

Senator Nessa Cosgrove says the development is stuck at Stage 2B, despite over €2 million spent on fees and surveys.

She warns the school may be forced back into planning if no progress is made within 16 months, causing further delays and rising costs.

Speaking to Ocean FM News, Senator Nessa Cosgrove says the project must be prior...

Flood-protection delays in Inver were raised in the Seanad this week as concerns grow over worsening coastal erosion in the area.

Senator Manus Boyle says residents remain anxious as no progress has been made since €45,000 was allocated last April for minor mitigation works.

The project, intended to reinforce ageing gabion baskets with new rock armour, has yet to advance despite what the Senator describes as urgent risk to local home...

Garda investigations are continuing into alleged acts of criminal damage at the King House Building in Boyle.

It’s understood that a significant spill of kerosene in the building and library.

As a result, both Boyle Library and King House are currently closed to the public while an environmental teams deal with the incident.

Lea Cull is a Roscommon County Councillor in the Boyle Municipal District.

She says it’s...

A Sligo councillor is urging the Minister for Health to prioritise a new primary care centre for Strandhill, saying the rapidly growing village has been left without essential services.

Cllr Fergal Nealon told a council meeting the population has doubled in 20 years, yet residents including many older people still travel into town for routine healthcare.

He says a local centre would ease pressure on Sligo University Hospital and deli...

It's hoped that the new 42-bed extension at Sligo University Hospital will make a huge difference to both staff and patients.

It follows confirmation yesterday that construction is set to start next week.

The project will deliver two new 21-bed wards, each consisting entirely of single ensuite rooms.

Alongside the new surgical hub which has been secured in recent months, the long-awaited 23-bed renal dialysis unit, including outpatien...

Road haulage operators in the North West are said to be struggling over high fuel costs.

Other issues impacting the sector include a severe shortage of qualified drivers.

The Irish Road Haulage Association has previously warned of the severe driver shortage, which it says could impact on the supply of goods across the country in the weeks leading to Christmas.

It has led to further calls on the Government to support the industry going...

There are renewed calls for Sligo's winter gritting programme to be extended.

The current plan for Sligo includes seven priority routes totalling 486km, covering national roads and regional/main commuter roads.

Sligo County Council has previously stated that there's no capacity to increase routes.

The call comes as the region continues to grapple with the current cold snap, with many roads deemed treacherous yesterda...

It's believed that the individual who was killed in a plane crash in Waterford was not a Sligo native.

The plane left Sligo yesterday morning destined for France but turned back to make an emergency landing at Waterford.

Investigations are ongoing.

It's understood that the light aircraft had been stored at Sligo Airport for the last number of months and was picked up yesterday morning.

The single engine ai...