By Niamh McGovern A LOCAL representative of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) has spoken of the pressures facing local families this Christmas, as demand for their services continue to rise. Martha Smyth, member of the Enniskillen Conference of SVP, shared how it can only take one bill to push a family into poverty. In the last year, […]
Fermanagh principal fears for future of local education
A LOCAL principal has warned that the challenges facing the education sector in the North “are still very real” after a worrying number of young teachers are reportedly emigrating to find work. The Ulster Teachers’ Union revealed that an estimated 80 per cent of graduates from St Mary’s Teacher Training College and Stranmillis College have […]
Fermanagh teachers could return to picket lines
A LOCAL teacher has called on political leaders and the Stormont Executive to “come to the table with an offer” of better pay as teaching professionals face a return to the picket lines. Some of the leading teaching unions in the North are considering holding a ballot on strike action after it was revealed that […]
Nurses consider emigrating due to recruitment freeze
DESPITE the ongoing staffing crisis in our hospitals, newly qualified nurses from the local area are being forced to emigrate or take non-medical jobs as a result of an apparent recruitment freeze in the health service. A Fermanagh mother has spoken to the ‘Herald about the worry and stress her daughter and friends are facing due to the fact […]
Maguire blasts golf’s gender pay gap
BALLYCONNELL golfer Leona Maguire has said players are being left with a “choice” whether to compete in some events or not after a worrying gender pay gap was revealed at the Irish Open. Maguire placed tied for 15 in the KPMG Women’s Irish Open event which took place at Carton House. Englishwoman Annabel Dimmock won the […]
Aer Lingus deal gives Fermanagh holidaymakers hope
FERMANAGH holidaymakers breathed a sigh of relief after Aer Lingus announced it would accept a 17.75 per cent pay rise for its pilots. The recommendation covers a four-year period from January 1, 2023, to the end of December 2026. The decision is not binding and it will now be put to a ballot of members of the Irish […]
Fermanagh Council spent nearly £4m less than planned
FERMANAGH and Omagh District Council has almost £4 million in reserve despite constant rate hikes and some underwhelming public services lately. During the recent monthly meeting of the Council’s Policy and Resources Committee, it was revealed that the total net operating expenditure was £39.4m against a planned budget of £43.3m for 2023-24. Councillor Mark Ovens said that […]
SWC chief welcomes pay deal for local lecturers
THE news that lecturers are set to join teachers in Fermanagh and accept an improved pay settlement was music to the ears of the principal and chief executive of South West College in Enniskillen. Celine McCartan said she was “pleased that an improved pay offer was tabled to lecturers’ trade unions” after the offer was endorsed by […]
Strike ballot to be held at Fermanagh factory
Workers at timber giant Balcas, outside Enniskillen, are to vote on whether to take strike action over pay.
Huge demand for new homes in Fermanagh
FERMANAGH estate agents have said they’re experiencing ‘very high levels of demand’ for houses from first-time buyers. Fermanagh estate agent, Niall Smyth, has said that demand within the first-time buyer sector in the county is ‘very positive’. “The key issue for first time buyers is the ability to purchase. Co-ownership is a mechanism that increases […]