Donal Coyle: Putting people, communities and local issues first

Priorities – Infrastructure

Since my election in 2019, we as a party have successfully received approval to continue to progress the Bonagee link and Bridge through the TEN-T application for EU funding. Route selection has taken place along with land and ground condition surveys, environmental impact assessment and design reports. This year €2.4m has been allocated to update reports in line with current legislation and standards.

This brings the total spend to €16m to date. The business case is currently with the Department of Transport and is due to go to cabinet with approval expected before June 2024. It will then proceed to planning and land and home acquisition, then to tender with work due to commence in early 2027.

I have worked extremely hard for the extension of the public sewer from Letterkenny to the Bonagee area. An application has been submitted to the department for approval and I am determined that this scheme will be delivered. The Woodlands area of Letterkenny has become heavily populated over the years – I will prioritize the delivery of a public sewer for the people of this area.

I will continue to campaign for a Transport Hub for Letterkenny which will cater for Bus Eireann, private bus services, and taxis with adequate parking and facilities for the public.

Priorities – Housing

• I have worked tirelessly for the scheme that produces solutions for homeowners living in homes that are crumbling. I will fight to have the terms of the current scheme extended to ensure all homeowners get their property rebuilt at no cost to themselves.
• We have developed plans for a Rapid Social Housing Programme along with Oireachtas colleagues and through extensive engagement with council officials and I am fully committed to ensuring this programme is implemented to significantly reduce the number of people waiting for social housing.
• As a party we have rolled out the First Home Scheme and Help to Buy Scheme and other schemes and I will continue to help people who wish to build or purchase their own home.
• I will fight to ensure that in rural areas family members retain the right to build on family land.

Priorities – Education

• I will continue to lobby to enhance the roll out of apprenticeships to increase the skilled workforce to meet the demands associated with the rebuilding of homes with defective blocks and accelerated housing developments.
• I will continue to fight for delivery of the new schools for Errigal College and the large extension for St Eunan’s College
• I will continue to seek improvements of traffic safety measures at Lurgybrack and Magherabeg National schools

Councillor Donal Coyle, Chair of Errigal College Board of Management and Chair of the Donegal ETB welcoming the Minister for Education, Norma Foley, T.D., who officially opened Errigal College’s new modular classrooms today (23rd May 2024)

Priorities – Economy

Under the Urban Renewal Development Fund and the Shared Island And Border Enterprise Development Fund for which we have secured €22.3m and €17m, respectively, it will be my priority to ensure key projects for the regeneration of Letterkenny such as the Court House, the Cathedral Quarter, the Market Square, the renewal of Lower Main Street, the Letterkenny Green Connect, the Cultural Corridor, the ALPHA Innovation and Beta Business Centres are accelerated and completed.

Priorities – Health & Wellbeing

• Prioritization of Inclusion and Equality for people with disabilities

• Developing health and well-being initiatives around education & sport

• Promoting sustainable practices that preserve our environment and climate for future generations.

Priorities – Local Issues

I will continue to lobby for increased funding for:-

• the regeneration of Manorcunningham through the Rural Regeneration Development Fund
• maintenance of our regional and local roads
• Local Improvement Schemes
• extending winter maintenance and gritting
• enhancement and promotion of historical and heritage sites 
• and the extension of the footpath from Kiltoy/Golf Course Rd Junction to Woodlands.