Galway Bay fm newsroom – It’s been revealed that a major leak on the water network in the Salthill area was losing 850 thousand litres of clean drinking water every day.

The leak – described by Irish Water as “colossal” – was discovered at Taylors Hill and has now been repaired.

Enough water to supply the population of Ballinasloe for an entire day.

That’s what was being lost on a daily basis through the leak discovered on the network at Taylors Hill.

Every 24 hours, 850 thousand litres of clean drinking water was seeping into the ground.

Crews were aware of a likely leak due to a spike in usage, but found it challenging to identify the location, as no water came to the surface.

Following an extensive effort using specialised equipment, the leak has now been pinpointed and repaired.

Irish Water has described the fix as one of the largest savings of water this year in the entire North-West region

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Senator Sean Kyne has told the Seanad there are over 850 children on waiting lists across five schools in Galway city.

He cites there are around 100 on lists for Coláiste Mhuire Mhaithair, Educate Together, Coláiste Iognaid and The Bish, while there are 360 on the Coláiste Éidne list alone.

In a response on behalf of Minister Norma Foley, it was stated the Department is aware of the issue and a number of building projects to expand schools are currently underway.

Senator Kyne says those long and medium-term plans are welcome, but action is needed now:

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Almost 100 PhD researchers and students have taken part at a protest at the University of Galway today over pay.

It coincides with a national protest organised by the Postgraduate Workers Organisation, who marched to the Dáil at the same time.

The group are looking to secure better pay, as on average they say they earn less than €18,500 a year, and do not have adequate workers’ rights.

Our reporter Sarah Slevin attended the protest to hear the group’s concerns: