Met Eireann has just updated its severe weather alert for the day ahead.
Officials say it will continue extremely cold in all areas with severe frost, ice and fog patches.
Scattered snow showers in north and west Ulster with up to 3 cm possible
Met Eireann says it now looks like the predicted thaw will arrive later than expected on Christmas Day.
Forecaster Gerry Murphy says the freezing temperatures will stay with us into Saturday:
National Schools Closed Tuesday 21st December 2010
Annagry National School
Ayr Hill National School, Ramelton
Ballyraine National School, Letterkenny
Castletown National School St Johnston
Convoy Joint National School closed Tues, The School Carol Service is also cancelled for Tues night
Cranford National School
Derryconnor National School Gortahork
Donaghmore National School, Liscooley
Dooish National School, B’bofey
Drumkeen National School
Drumoghill National School
Fintown National School closed on Tuesday
Gael Cois Feabhail Moville closed till after Christmas
Gaelscoil Adhamhnain, Letterkenny
Glassan National School, Cresslough
Glenswilly National School the carol service for tonight is also cancelled
Gortahork National School
Letterkenny Educate Together
Magherabeg National School, Manorcunningham
Maghroarty National School Gortahork
Murlog National School,
Portleen National School Kilmacrenan
Raphoe Central National School
Ray National School Manorcunningham & the carol service tonight is also cancelled
Scoil Brid Boyagh Porthall Lifford
Scoil Colmcille Drumman Ballyare
Scoil Colmcille Greencastle
Scoil Colmcille Kerrykeel
Scoil Colmcille, Devlinreagh, Carrigart
Scoil Colmcille, Letterkenny
Scoil Eoghan, Moville
Scoil Eoin Baiste Carrigart closed till Wed
Scoil Mhuire Cashel, Fanad
Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal, Letterkenny
Scoil Mhuire Ramelton
Scoil Naomh Brid, Downings
Scoil Naomh Fiachra, Illistrin
St Bodan’s Natioanl School Culdaff
St Marys National School Stranorlar
St. Bridget’s National School, Convoy
St. Joseph’s National School, Rathmullan
Tiernasligo N.S. Urris, Clonmany
Trentagh National School closed Tues
WhelshTown National School B’bofey
Woodlands National School, Letterkenny closed Tuesday
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CLOSED TIL WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY
St Eunans national school Raphoe closed till Thursday
Scoil Naomh Bríd, Muff will now be closed until after Christmas
Scoil Naomh Fionan Whitecastle Closed till after Christmas
St Mary’s PS, Cloughcor, Strabane will remain closed until Thursday 6th January
St. Conal’s National School, Narin, Portnoo closed until further notice
Secondary Schools Closed Tuesday 21st December 2010
Deele College Raphoe
Errigal College L’kenny
Gairmscoil Chu Uladh, Ballinamore closed Tues 21 Dec
Holy Cross College Strabane Tues & Wed
Loreto Community School, Milford
Loreto Convent L’kenny closed on Tuesday
Mulroy College, Milford
PCC Falcarragh
Pobal Scoil Gweedore
Rosses Community School Dungloe
Royal & Prior Raphoe closed Tue, The Exams scheduled for last Friday, will take place on Wednesday, if open.
St Columba’s Comprehensive School Glenties will open today at 10.30am
St Eunans College L’kenny
Childcare Centres Closed Tuesday 21st December 2010
Naionra Devlinreagh Carrigart closed on Tues
TT Childare Care Centre, closed Tues
Stepping Stones Playgroup, St. Johnston will remain closed until 10th January
Naionra Station Roundabout L’kenny
Cashel Na Cor Day Centre Buncrana
Little Angels Special School,L’kenny
St Bernadettes Special School L’kenny
Childrens Point Playgroup Quigley’s Point closed till after christmas
ABC Childcare Centre Lifford
Little Rascals Playschool, Rossnakill will remain closed until Jan 10th
Donegal County Council is close to passing its budget for 2011 with €153 million to be spent on running the county this year. County Manager Seamus Neely and Head of Finance Gary Martin presented detailed estimates of income and expenditure to members at today’s budget meeting at County House in Lifford.
The commercial rate will be cut by 3.5%, water charges will remain as they are, and landfill gate fees will be reduced by 15 euro a tonne. After a series of discussions between the party whips and the manager and his officials, the indications are now that a 5% commercial rate reduction may be achieved. After the budget proposals were presented, the council reconvened this afternoon for the party whips to give their verdict on the proposed budget.
In his submission, Fianna Fail whip Cllr Ciaran Brogan said his party is very happy with the budget book, acknowledging that 2011 will be a challenging year for the officials. He said it’s important that the officials are seen to have the support of the council. He called for a Community Innovation Fund of €100,000, to allow members some leeway to help local projects.
Fine Gael whip Cllr Slowey welcomed the proposed reducation in the commercial rate, but was slightly critical of elements of presentation, saying the information provided was not as transparent as in previous years.
Sinn Fein Whip Cllr Padriag Mac Lochlain also welcomed the budget, particularly the rate reduction and a comitment to save 4 million euro through value for money and better procurement practices. However, he said it must not be forgotten that 344 jobs have been lost in Donegal County Council over the past two and a half years. He said Sinn Fein are proposing a Strategic Transport Fund of €200,000 to cover airports, ferries, and possibly in the future, rail.
On behalf of Labour, Cllr Frank Mc Brearty said there are problems in Donegal which must be overcome. On the water issue, he said the recent warnings which have seen supplies in the Lough Mourne scheme curtailed each night highlight the need for more development. He said the council is spending money on services such as ferries and tourism which should be provided through central government.
On behalf of the independents, Cllr Ian Mc Garvey said the council's relationship with Northern Ireland must be strengthened. Members noted that water charges are high, particularly in terms of standing charges. However, they acknowledged that setting these charges is a function of mnagement rather than members, and the final decision will be Seamus Neely's.
After the submissions, the meeting adjourned again for a series of inter party meetings. The concensus from those was that a 5% rate reduction should be sought, and the whips met with Seamus Neely to discuss how that might be achieved. However, the gap proved unbridgeable, and the 3.5% reduction was agreed. On the proposal of Cllr Ciaran Brogan, seconded by Cllr Terence Slowey, the budget was unanimously adopted as presented. A Community Development Fund will be established with details to be confirmed at the January meeting.
National Schools Closed Tuesday 21st December 2010
Annagry National School
Ayr Hill National School, Ramelton
Ballyraine National School, Letterkenny
Castletown National School St Johnston
Convoy Joint National School closed Tues, The School Carol Service is also cancelled for Tues night
Cranford National School
Donaghmore National School, Liscooley
Drumkeen National School
Drumoghill National School
Fintown National School closed on Tuesday
Gaelscoil Adhamhnain, Letterkenny
Glassan National School, Cresslough
Gortahork National School
Letterkenny Educate Together
Magherabeg National School, Manorcunningham
Murlog National School, Lifford
Raphoe Central National School
Scoil Colmcille Drumman Ballyare
Scoil Colmcille Greencastle
Scoil Colmcille, Devlinreagh, Carrigart
Scoil Colmcille, Letterkenny
Scoil Eoghan, Moville
Scoil Mhuire Cashel, Fanad
Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal, Letterkenny
Scoil Mhuire Ramelton
Scoil Naomh Brid, Downings
Scoil Naomh Fiachra, Illistrin
St. Bridget’s National School, Convoy
St. Joseph’s National School, Rathmullan
CLOSED UNTIL WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY
Scoil Eoin Baiste Carrigart closed till Wed
St Eunans national school Raphoe closed till Thursday
St Mary’s PS, Cloughcor, Strabane will remain closed until Thursday 6th January
St. Conal’s National School, Narin, Portnoo closed until further notice
Trentagh National School closed Mon & Tues
Woodlands National School, Letterkenny closed Monday & Tuesday
Secondary Schools Closed Tuesday 21st December 2010
Deele College Raphoe
Loreto Community School, Milford
Loreto Convent L’kenny closed on Tuesday
Mulroy College, Milford
Rosses Community School Dungloe
Royal & Prior Raphoe closed Tue, The Exams scheduled for last Friday, will take place on Wednesday, if open.
St Eunans College L’kenny
The roads around Donegal remian treacherous today as the big freeze continues.
Temperatures of minus 15 were recorded in Killygordon, while minus 16 was recorded in Sligo last night.
The freezing conditions Sligo were a new record low temperature for December.
And the arctic conditions are set to continue in the Northwest until at least Thursday.
But Pat Clarke from Met Eireann says there is thaw in sight:
Meanwhile, Senior Roads Engineer with Donegal County Council, Vincient Lynn, says they are doing all the can to cope with the adverse weather conditions.
He says gritting lorries where out this morning between 6 and 7 o clock, and they will be out again around now:
Councillors have begun their budget meeting at County House in Lifford.
If the provisions of the proposed budget are accepted today, Donegal County Council will spend just over €153 million in 2011. Of that, a total of 66 million will go on payroll costs.
The money will be made up of 48.5 million in State grants, 39 million in receipts from charges and fees, 36 million from the Local Government Fund, 21 million from rates, and 8 million from water charges. That’s a 55/45% split between national and local funding.
Because the reduction in the Local Government Fund was 6% rather than the 15% that had been forecast, Manager Seamus Neely has been able to write in a 3.5% reduction in commercial rates and a freeze on other charges, including water and landfill. However, with the discussions happening after what’s been a disasterous weekend, particularly for the retail sector, councillor s may seek more reductions to ease pressure on business in the county.
The meeting adjourned for a time this morning to allow the parties meet for preliminary disucssions, and now, Mr Neely and the Head of Finance Garry Martin are making their presentations.
A further adjournment is then possible before a vote is called. Mayor Cllr Cora Harvey is overseeing the budget, the first time a Sinn Fein representitive has done so. After last year’s controversey when Fianna Fail members passed the budget while others were out of the chamber, she says she’s anxious to ensure that concensus is facilitated today……….
County Manager Seamus Neely will today present his first budget to Donegal County Council, with a 3.5% reduction in commercial rates and a freeze on water charges being proposed.
He faces the challenge of absorbing a fall in local income, as well as a 6.6% decrease in government funding, while at the same time maintaining services across the county.
The 29 members of Donegal County Council have spent the weekend going over the budget book, which County Manager Seamus Neely acknowledges has been drawn up at a time of much uncertainty.
Total current expenditure of just over 153 million euro is forecast for 2011, 5 million less than this year. Payroll costs will be down over 8 million euro, discounting VEC pensions.
With the local government fund down by over 2.5 million euro, there will be pressure on the councils accounts, while increases in rates and charges are clearly not going to be accepted by councillors in the current economic climate.
Mr Neely is proposing a 3.5% reduction in the commercial rate, with water charges to remain the same as this year.
Last year’s budget meeting ended in controversy when the then mayor called a vote when only his own Fianna Fail colleagues were present in the chamber. This year, a Sinn Fein mayor will preside for the first time.
The sister of Hollywood actor Matthew Broderick has objected to a new home being built near the Broderick family holiday cottage in Donegal, it has been reported.
Martha Broderick is unhappy at plans submitted by local resident Connor Meehan to erect a one-storey house on a nearby hill which will overlook their home in Kilcar.
The holiday home has been owned by the Broderick family since 1977.
The Broderick family have argued the privacy of their Irish hideaway will be compromised and Martha Broderick has likened the planned building to a “scar on the landscape”.
According to the Sunday Times yesterday, a formal objection to the single-storey dwelling has been lodged with Donegal County Council, stating a house built between the road and the sea on an elevated site contravenes local planning policy.
Mr Meehan has garnered support from Mary Coughlan TD, who made a representation on his behalf using her education department notepaper.
In a letter to the council, she said Mr Meehan and his family had owned the site in question for generations and he qualified as a long-term local resident whose application should be viewed favourably.
The council approved the application for the property last November but an appeal was lodged by Martha Broderick claiming the site would enter “third party land” without consent and present an over-viewing problem.
The case is due to be decided by April 19, 2011.
Northern Ireland has endured its coldest night on record.
A new low temperature was recorded in Castlederg in County Tyrone – touching minus 18 degrees Celsius.
Colin Brown from the Roads Service says they’re into their 4th day of
continuously treating the main routes:
Hundreds of thousands of euro are being lost to the economy in what should have been the busiest shopping weekend of the year.
The return of heavy snow and freezing conditions — made worse by a salt shortage — has led to a downturn in high street trade, and mass cancellations of Christmas parties.
Business in Letterkenny came to a virtual standstill after up to 10 inches of snow fell over the weekend, and anger has been mounting toward the National Roads Authority.
Chief executive of Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce Toni Forrester says businesses are outraged at the lack of resources to keep the streets and footpaths clear.
