Donegal TD Joe McHugh has said that the newly announced framework for Town Centre renewal will be of enormous benefit to towns and villages throughout Donegal. The framework aims to address the need for greater collaboration and support for town centre renewal across the country, with a particular emphasis on the role that the business community can play in collaboration with Local Authorities and other key stakeholders in setting a town on a sustainable path towards vitality and vibrancy.

Donegal TD Joe McHugh has welcomed new funding for two local pipe bands. Raphoe Pipe Band and Manorcunningham Pipe Band will receive the money through the Music Capital Scheme, supported by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and managed by Music Network. The Raphoe band is set to receive €13,695 and Manorcunningham band will receive €8,556.

“My Fine Gael colleague, the Minister for Social Protection, Leo Varadkar, has confirmed that people in receipt of Disability Allowance will keep their free travel pass for five years if they take up employment, and will also be given a guarantee that they will be re-instated on welfare if a trial of work doesn’t work out for them. “In addition, my colleague the Minister for Health, Simon Harris, has confirmed that his Department is committed to addressing what the Make Work Pay Report finds is the single most significant barrier for people with disabilities; people’s fear of losing supports.

A West Cork TD has drafted legislation that will entitle all full time carers to a respite period at least once every month. If enacted, Jim Daly’s new legislation will, for the first time ever, place respite services on a statutory footing, and compel the Health Service Executive to provide the care.

Fine Gael Senator, Michelle Mulherin, believes that new Government reforms to commercial rates will be good news for businesses and our local authorities.

Fergus O'Dowd, Fine Gael TD for Louth and East Meath, is again calling on the Government to consider the urgent implementation of a Vacant Home Tax in Rent Pressure Zones (RPZ).

“This year’s Local Youth Club Grant Scheme will see €48,226 allocated to the Donegal Education and Training Board for local volunteer led youth groups,” said Minister McHugh today. “Youth groups and clubs across Donegal will soon be able to apply to the Donegal ETB for funding under this scheme. “Youth clubs are part of the fabric of communities here in Donegal and must be supported.

DONEGAL TD Joe McHugh has welcomed news that Donegal producers can begin to export live brown crab to China within the next three to four weeks. It follows a meeting between Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed and Chinese Minister Zhi Shuping in Dublin.

“The funding announced this week by Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys, is great news for rural Ireland and I strongly encourage Donegal County Council to apply,” said Minister of State McHugh. “The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is an initiative under the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development, Realising our Rural Potential, and is part of a package of national and local support measures to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland.”

Fine Gael Cork Senator and Chair of the Fine Gael LGBT Group, Jerry Buttimer, has said that 1,147 same-sex couples have married since the introduction of marriage equality in Ireland.