Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Ireland Construction News Archive for April 2015
30/04/2015
A €3 million social housing development in Dublin has officially opened. Dublin City Council was commended for completing the 'Grand Canal View' project on Bluebell Road. Fine Gael TD, Catherine Byrne, said: "The original Public Private Partnership failed prior to this development being finished i
30/04/2015
Irish Water has started sewerage improvement work in Youghal, Cork. The firm began the work after a report by the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) rated Front Strand Beach as 'poor'. Fine Gael TD, Tom Barry, welcomed the news. He said: "A major contract for work on the sewerage network at the b
30/04/2015
Plans for the new Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) headquarters in Ballykelly have been unveiled. The artist's impression reveals the contemporary building is designed to complement the architecture of the surrounding area. The plans have now been submitted to Causeway Coast
30/04/2015
The SDLP is calling for the Winter Fuel Payment in Northern Ireland to increase to £500. Currently people receiving the state pension can expect up to £300 to contribute to their heating bills. SDLP East Belfast Candidate Mary Muldoon has voiced her support for the SDLP Manifesto pledge and confir
30/04/2015
The names for a proposed new housing development in Dublin have been rejected by councillors. The proposed names for the development in Rathborne included Royal Canal Crescent, Lakewood Drive, Lakewood Avenue, Lakewood Square and Pelletstwon Avenue, were recommended by the Heritage Council. Howeve
30/04/2015
Irish firm Energia Renewables has confirmed it has reached financial close on a €145m wind farm development in Donegal. The Meenadreen Extension wind farm will use 38 Nordex N90 turbines to provide over 255 gigawatt hours each year, enough to power 70 thousand homes, and will also involve the devel
30/04/2015
Fianna Fáil is calling for a comprehensive investment programme to tackle the housing crisis in Kilkenny. The party published extensive plans at the Ard Fheis aimed at tackling the growing housing crisis. Fianna Fáil bye-election candidate for Carlow-Kilkenny Bobby Aylward said: "Across Ireland t
30/04/2015
A 49-year-old man from Crossmaglen has received two three month suspended sentences and fined £2,500 for fuel laundering waste offences. Mr Thomas Morley pleaded guilty to the charges and was also ordered to pay costs of £393.60 at Newry Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. On 15 July 2014, officers f
29/04/2015
€30,000 in funding has been secured for refurbishment works to be carried out at Pearse House in Dublin. The Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys TD, said: "A once-off grant of €30,000 is being provided for decorative and refurbishment works to Pearse House to prepare it
29/04/2015
Irish energy firm Energia has hosted an energy efficiency briefing to help Dublin firms cut their energy costs. The briefings held with the Dun Laoghaire Chamber of Commerce aim to educate businesses about energy efficiency, allowing them to further reduce their energy costs. The purpose of the tra
29/04/2015
Thousands of shared ownership mortgages have fallen into arrears, according to Sinn Féin Housing Spokesperson Dessie Ellis. Mr Ellis is urging the government to tackle the issue and said that previous measures did not have a strong enough effect. Deputy Ellis said: "16500 Shared ownership arrangem
29/04/2015
Cork City Council has announced plans to realign Skehard Road. The scheme, between its junctions with Parkhill and Bessboro Road, aims to enhance the road and create a safer environment for the public. The project includes: • The repaving of the roadway and footways. • New ducting, pipes and dra
29/04/2015
The SDLP has announced it is to seek a "radical" new build and retrofit programme for people who are struggling to find decent accommodation. Upper Bann Westminster candidate Dolores Kelly MLA has said the SDLP has a history of delivering where others have failed. Mrs Kelly said: "That’s why we’r
29/04/2015
A new Overall Site Coordinator has been appointed at a homeless centre on Finglas. The new Coordinator, Mr Eddie Matthews, is a specialist in addiction and homeless services, and he started the post this week. The move comes after residents expressed concern about a rise in crime, anti-social beha
29/04/2015
The SDLP is calling for an immediate renewal of the Narrow Water Bridge project. Westminster candidate for South Down Margaret Ritchie is also calling for a cut in VAT for the tourism sector. She said: "The two key priorities that would instantly lift our tourism industry are a cut in the VAT rate
29/04/2015
Continuing to grow their collection of more than 5000 different products lines, TIMco, one of the UK's largest independent suppliers of screws, fasteners and fixings, has launched a new range of Sanitary Fixings. The launch of the new range fits with TIMco's strategy to extend its range of product
28/04/2015
Irish energy firm ESB has announced a development partnership with Cariolis Energy. The partnership has a number of development schemes with a projected capacity of up to 400 MW across nine projects. This will potentially translate into an overall capital investment of approximately £600 million.
28/04/2015
The first Annual Report on Public Sector Energy Efficiency Performance has been published by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). A 14% energy efficiency improvement was recorded in 2013, worth €74 million in savings to the Exchequer. 238 public bodies with a total energy spend of
28/04/2015
The regulations for Land Eligibility under direct debit payment schemes have been clarified. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Martine, Simon Coveney, TD, confirmed a Land Eligibility booklet is to be published, in which details of the characteristics of the agricultural land that will be dee
28/04/2015
Fianna Fáil has hit out at the Government following its announcement of an extremely narrow 'review' and avoiding any 'real' independent investigation over the sale of Siteserv. Leader Micheál Martin said the appointment of a judge to "merely monitor transactions" at the IBRC does "not go nearly fa
28/04/2015
The Government is being called to direct Eirgrid to cease plans to impose over-head pylon supported high voltage power lines along the proposed route of the North-South Interconnector. Sinn Féin MEP, Matt Carthy, was speaking in advance of a public meeting on the issue in Meath on Tuesday following
28/04/2015
The Social Development Minister is being urged to address the housing crisis issue in L'Derry immediately. SDLP MLA Colum Eastwood said the party is seeking a radical new build and retrofit programme that will provide fit-for-purpose accommodation and create employment. Mr Eastwood said: "Under th
28/04/2015
Labour has welcomed the decision by Minister Brendan Howlin that Coillite, a commercial company operating in forestry, land based businesses, renewable energy and panel products, is to remain in public ownership. Senator John Whelan and his colleagues have continued to campaign to ensure that Coill
27/04/2015
A '12 Steps for 20,000 Construction Jobs' guide has been published by the Construction Industry Federation (CIF). The guide aims to encourage politicians to take actions which could improve construction employment throughout the country. The guide, which will be circulated to TDs and Senators, out
27/04/2015
A new playground in County Kildare has officially opened. The Mayor of Kildare, Councillor Fiona O'Loughlin, opened the playground which was built at a cost of €115,000. The Suncroft playground features equipment suitable for children from 1-12 years. Among the equipment is two sand play areas, a
27/04/2015
Contractors are preparing to start work on a £150,000 road resurfacing project in Portadown. The resurfacing will extend for a length of one kilometre towards Tandragee with work due to begin on Monday 11 May and finish on Friday 22 May. Roads used in the diversions will include Tandragee Road, Mu
27/04/2015
The Apex Group, providers of voluntary housing and support for local communities within Northern Ireland and Ireland, has merged with Newington Housing Association. The merger, which took effect from the start of April, will see Newington formalise its links with Apex and gain additional support a
27/04/2015
Lagan Construction and Portuguese firm Somague Group have announced a joint venture (JV) to develop phase two of Ulster University's new campus in Belfast. The contract is worth £150 million. Construction on the overall £250 million, 75,000 square metre Belfast campus began in 2014 and is expected
27/04/2015
A skip hire company owner has been fined a total of £400 at Antrim Magistrates' Court. Stephen Moran, of Grange Lane Mallusk, was fined £50 on each of eight charges, £34 costs and a £15 offenders levy after pleading guilty to a number of waste offences under the Waste and Contaminated Land (Northe
24/04/2015
Laois County Council and Irish Water have completed a €2.6m upgrade of 14km of watermains in Mountmellick, Portlaoise, Ballyroan and Timahoe. The scheme involved a detailed assessment of the watermains locally including burst history, leakage rates, condition of the pipes, carrying capacity and wa
24/04/2015
Planning permission has been approved for new office space and apartments at Hanover Quay in Dublin. Dublin City Council (DCC) has granted permission comprising 18,000 sq m of office space and 100 apartments at 5 Hanover Quay. It is the second grant of planning permission since the area was design
24/04/2015
The Green Party is urging the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) to prosecute Irish Water for the continuing sewerage discharge into Doldrum Bay in Howth. The discharge licence given to the Ringsend treatment plant in 2010 required that the Doldrum Bay discharge ended by December 2011
24/04/2015
Sinn Féin is urging for an independent review body to be set up for farmers who are being asked to pay back basic payments as a result of unclear criteria for land eligibility. The party's spokesperson on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Ferris TD, said an independent review body needs to
24/04/2015
The European Investment Bank has approved a loan of €70m to develop 14 Primary Care Centres throughout Ireland. The EIB Board has earmarked the Irish Primary Care Centres as the first projects in Ireland expected to benefit from financing under the European Fund for Strategic Investment, a new init
24/04/2015
A £150,000 resurfacing project is to start on the A32 Enniskillen Road. The work is to begin on 5 May and is expected to last for five days. The road will be closed to traffic throughout the period of work and traffic diversions will be in place. Northbound traffic will be diverted via B82 Killa
24/04/2015
The owner of a skip hire firm has been fined £400 for a number of waste offences. Stephen Moran, from Grange Lane in Mallusk, pleaded guilty to waste offences under the Waste and Contaminated Land (Northern Ireland) Order 1997. He was fined £50 on each of the eight charges, £34 costs and a £15 off
24/04/2015
The Environment Minister is calling on households in Northern Ireland to continue to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Minister Mark H Durkan made the call following a report that the tonnage of recycled household materials, excluding composting, increased by 1,647 tonnes. Minister Durkan said: "The incr
24/04/2015
Fianna Fáil is once again calling for an independent investigation to be carried out about the sale of Siteserv by IBRC. The party rejected proposed plans by Finance Minister Michael Noonan and said he "needs to go back to the drawing board". Party Leader Micheál Martin said: "What is needed here
24/04/2015
Builders have started refurbishment works on a school in Ballyclare. The £3.737m scheme at Ballyclare Secondary School is part of the School Enhance Programme. The project includes the demolition of the existing Home Economics and Administration Block to create a new Home Economics suite, English
23/04/2015
Fianna Fáil has slammed the Government for failing to complete the sewerage scheme in Rush, Dublin. The party's representatives are demanding answers from Minister James Reilly after the only beach is Rush has sewerage pollution, despite the funds being allocated many years ago. Rush Councillor Br
23/04/2015
Public sector construction in Northern Ireland declined in the first three months of this year, according to a new survey. NI was the only part of the UK which saw a drop, however there has been an overall increase in the building industry. The survey was carried out by the Royal Institute of Char
23/04/2015
The Taoiseach is being urged to initiate an independent inquiry into the issues surrounding the sale of infrastructure and utility support services company Siteserv by state-owned bank IBRC. For the second day in the row, Deputy Micheál Martin used Leaders' Questions in Dáil Éíreann to seek answers
23/04/2015
Voluntary housing agencies are being urged to get involved with the new tenant purchase scheme to be launched in the second quarter of 2015. Fine Gael Carlow/Kilkenny, Pat Deering TD, said it is an important part of the Government's Social Housing Strategy 2020. He said: "Full details of the schem
23/04/2015
Sinn Fein has accused Taoiseach Enda Kenny of ordering Fine Gael MEPs in the EPP group to vote against a move which would have seen the ring fencing of €5 billion from the Junker Investment Plan. Deputy Michael Colreavy, Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources said th
23/04/2015
A new primary care centre is to be developed in Summerhill, County Meath. Construction of the facility is to begin early next year. The new centre will be located at Mountain View Court and will house GP and community nursing teams. It will also offer services in GP Out of Hours Service, Area Medi
23/04/2015
McHale Plant Sales has appointed Declan Spillane as Komatsu Area Sales Manager for the Munster region. From Kerry, Mr Spillane is a resident outside Killarney at Ballymalis near Beaufort. Following his early education in Killorglin, he joined crane maker Leibherr in Killarney under an apprenticeshi
23/04/2015
The Minister for Energy has reiterated Ireland's support for the completion of the European internal energy market during a meeting with the European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy. Minister Alex White met with Miguel Arias Cañete to discuss energy policy and climate change. Minister W
23/04/2015
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Finance Michael McGrath claims banks are "ripping off" variable rate customers. Mr McGrath said the fact that the average interest rate on new mortgages in the euro area is 2.09% compared to a rate of over 4% in Ireland underlines the extent to which banks are "ripping o
23/04/2015
A farmer from Ahoghill, Co Antrim, has been fined £1,000 for a polution offence. Alan Mitchell was also order to pay £67 in court costs and an offenders' levy of £15. Between 27 April 2013 and 20 January 2014, Water Quality Inspectors, acting on behalf of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, i
22/04/2015
A new Primary Care Centre is to be developed in Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary. Construction work on the new centre, situated at Carrick-on-Suir Community Hospital, Pill Road, is expected to start in early 2016. Labour Senator Denis Landy said: "I am delighted to confirm that Carrick-on-Suir is to
22/04/2015
Kildare County Council has announced plans for the remediation of Kerdiffstown landfill, located outside Naas. Responsibility for the site and all of the site management controls will be transferred to the Council in the next few weeks. Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government,
22/04/2015
Fianna Fáil has criticised the methods in which repossessions are being dealt with. Kildare South TD, Seán Ó Fearghaíl, made the comments after a group of over 30 uniformed individuals attempted to repossess a farm last week in Castledermot. Deputy Ó Fearghaíl said: "The group were wearing a stand
22/04/2015
Dublin City Council is warning residents that there may be a temporary loss of water supply on Sunday 26 April. The areas likely to be affected are Artane, Clontarf & Dollymount, Donnycarney, Edenmore, Harmonstown, Malahide Road and Raheny. The Council also confirmed a number of water tankers will
22/04/2015
£2 million from the Carrier Bag Levy is to be distributed to Environmental Groups suffering funding cuts. Environment Minister Mark H Durkan confirmed the money will be used to deliver environmental priorities. The Minister has developed a three-pronged plan to allocate the money. £1m will be ma
22/04/2015
FK Lowry Piling has installed 205No. 300mm Diameter CFA Piles for the new Bernard Crossland Building at Queen's University in Belfast. It was part of a two week piling sub-contract for O'Hare and McGovern. FK Lowry Piling were contracted to install 300mm Dia. Piles to 18m, founding into the medium
22/04/2015
Environmental improvement works have started at the Old Town Quay in Portadown. Part financed by the European Union through the INTERREG IVA Cross Border Programme, the project will see the development of a new car park at the site adjacent to Haldane Fisher. A new boat loading and unloading area a
22/04/2015
Bathing areas in County Clare have been awarded 'Excellent Water Quality', following a report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Clare is one of five Local Authority areas to receive 'Excellent' classifications for each of its bathing areas, the others being Dun Laoghaire Rathdown, Kerry
22/04/2015
Fianna Fáil has hit out at the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for refusing to answer questions about completed applications for the new Green Low-Carbon Agri-Environment scheme. Spokesperson on Agriculture, Éamon Ó Cuív TD, said there has been considerable confusion among farmers app
22/04/2015
Irish businesses, academic and public sector organisations are being urged to submit proposals for this year's Research, Demonstration & Development (RD&D) Programme. Organised by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), the programme is open to a wide range of proposal types, including
21/04/2015
A new €12.5m social housing development has officially opened in Dublin today, 21 April. The Peadar Kearney House building, located on Railway Street, consists of 56 homes as well as a community facility and underground car parking. The scheme is managed by Circle Housing Association on behalf of
21/04/2015
Significant progress is being made on a new Garda Divisional Headquarters in Dublin. Construction work at Kevin Street started in February and is expected to take approximately two years. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin T.D., the Minister for Transport, Tourism and S
21/04/2015
Balfour Beatty has been appointed to extend a multi-storey car park at Terminal 2 in Dublin Airport. The €14 million contract includes a four-floor structured steel extension to the current two-storey car park that will more than double the capacity of the car park to 2,386 spaces. Balfour Beatty
21/04/2015
BSG Engineering and NI Water have started a £3 million scheme to improve the sewerage infrastructure in Armagh. The work on the sewerage system is expected to be complete by late summer 2016. A Drainage Area Study of the city's sewerage system was completed by NI Water and a number of key projects
21/04/2015
Sinn Féin claims Irish Water needs to be "shut down" following the arrest of 13 anti-water protestors in Crumlin. Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD condemned the arrests and confirmed that Sinn Féin will continue to support residents protesting against the installation of water meters. He said: "The blame for
21/04/2015
Invest NI plans to launch a scheme to ensure there is adequate Grade A office accommodation to meet firms needs. The announcement comes following a report commissioned by Invest Northern Ireland to establish the nature and extent of market failure in the commercial and industrial property market.
21/04/2015
Cork University Hospital (CUH) has scooped a Green Flag on behalf of the international Foundation for Environmental Education. The flag was raised by Minister of State Kathleen Lynch, Department of Health. CUH was recognised for: • Reductions in waste of 11% despite an overall 10% increase in ho
21/04/2015
The Green Party is calling on the Environment Minister to confirm why a pro-fracking company has been appointed to carry out a feasibility study about fracking in Ireland. Spokesperson on Energy, Cllr Ossian Smyth, said Minister White needs to clarify without delay the terms under which the contrac
21/04/2015
Roadstone Thermal Liteblock system is a new concrete block innovation which will contribute towards improved energy efficiency in the design and construction of new buildings. Roadstone Ltd is committed to product innovation aimed at achieving national energy efficiency standards. The Thermal Liteb
21/04/2015
Irish Water have sent a bill to a woman in the name of her former partner who died over ten years ago. The woman, living in north Kerry contacted Sinn Féin and was quite upset to receive the bill. This comes a week after Irish Water sent a bill with the suffix "RIP" with the name of another decease
20/04/2015
Eirgrid has announced a pre-tax profit of €44.2 million and an underlying profit of €18 million, according to its annual report. The firm is also proposing a dividend of €3m to the exchequer. Eirgrid Chairman, John O'Connor, welcomed the figures. He said: "Our fundamental purpose is to deliver sa
20/04/2015
The Government is once again being called to introduce a package of measures to deal with the mortgage arrears crisis. Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Finance Michael McGrath TD confirmed a very low number of cases are being dealt with by the Insolvency Service. Deputy McGrath said: "It now appears th
20/04/2015
The Green party has hit out over reports that Taoiseach Enda Kenny blocked Fine Gael representatives in Brussels from supporting the ring fencing of energy efficiency measures, in the new €315 billion Junckers investment plan. Sean Kelly MEP had originally been one of the signatories behind an amen
20/04/2015
Developers could influence planning decisions under new Council powers, according to the Alliance Party. Currently councillors - who have inherited greater planning powers under local government reform - do not have to reveal if their parties receive donations from property developers. However it
20/04/2015
A farmer has been found guilty for making a polluting discharge to a waterway. Mr Adrian Cudden, from Magherafelt Road on L'Derry has been fined £300 and £19 court costs at Magherafelt Magistrates' Court. On 19 November 2013, Water Quality Inspectors, acting on behalf of the Northern Ireland Envir
20/04/2015
The Environment and Enterprise Ministers are being urged to ensure all fracking related applications are rejected. North Antrim Sinn Féin MLA Daithí McKay said the rejections must also include the application to drill at Ballinlea on the north coast. Daithí McKay said: "The present application for
20/04/2015
A subsea cable from the RV Celtic Explorer has been laid in Galway. The four kilometre cable, and a frame to which sensors and monitoring equipment will be attached is part of the development of an ocean observatory in Galway Bay connecting the Galway Bay Ocean Energy Test Site and to the shore at
20/04/2015
Rapid International, based in Tandragee, Co Armagh, has supplied Ty-Rock with a new upgrade to their stationary concrete batching plant. The new additions and upgrades on the batching plant, situated at the company's County Armagh site, has enabled Ty-Rock to vastly increase its output capabiliti
17/04/2015
Sinn Féin has slammed the Environment Protection Agency's (EPA) interim report on fracking and claims it is an "insult" to the Transport and Communications Committee. The party's spokesperson on Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Michael Colreavy, is calling on the EPA to appear before the Commit
17/04/2015
Ireland's largest construction and machinery show opens today, 17 April, with €50m worth of machinery on display at the CQMS '15 show at Tinnycross in Tullamore. Around 100 exhibitors of construction and quarry machinery equipment are on site for the two-day event. The show was officially opened
17/04/2015
Irish energy provider Energia is to supply FBD Insurance with electricity. The two firms signed a deal which includes 2 GW hours of power to be supplied to the financial services group's 44 sites in Ireland. Shane Canavan, Energia, commented: "Since 1999, Energia has been providing Irish businesse
17/04/2015
The SDLP claims the Deputy First Minister's commitment to the establishment of a community college outside Cookstown is "completely inadequate". The party's Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone accused Minister Martin McGuinness of being more interested at placing blame than working to secure the establish
17/04/2015
Only one case has been finished since the mortgage-to-rent scheme was launched in 2012 in County Laois, according to Fianna Fáil. The party is calling on the banks to "radically overhaul" the scheme, which is supposed to offer a sustainable solution to people in mortgage arrears. TD for Laois Sean
17/04/2015
A new TreeCheck app has been launched to enlist the public's help in safeguarding tree and forest health in Ireland. TreeCheck will enable members of the public throughout the island to use their smartphones to report details and send a photograph of suspect diseased trees or evidence of insect da
17/04/2015
A L'Derry firm has been fined £750 for making a pollution discharge to a waterway. Parker Residential Limited on Ferryquay Street pleaded guilty to the offence which happened on 16 January last year. Water Quality Inspectors (WQIs), acting on behalf of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, insp
17/04/2015
Work within the construction industry has risen by 6%, according to the latest Northern Ireland Construction Bulletin. The latest estimates are from the last quarter of 2014. Finance Minister Simon Hamilton has said the new figures are "very encouraging". Minister Hamilton said: "The construction
16/04/2015
Irish Water has detected over 30,000 suspected leaks on customer properties during its first meter reading cycle. Metered bills for 150 customers show they are each using more than €1,000 worth of water in three months due to leaks within their property. Irish Water has contacted 2,500 customers o
16/04/2015
A £107,000 resurfacing project is to begin on a section of Finaghy Road South in Belfast. The scheme, due to start on Monday 20 April, is to improve the footway and carriageway surfaces. The work is expected to be completed in four weeks. The off-peak lane closures will continue for approximately
16/04/2015
Northern Ireland continues to outperform the rest of the UK with the strongest house price growth in March, according to the latest RICS UK Residential Market Survey. However, across much of the rest of the UK, particularly in Wales and Scotland, price gains over the next three months are expected
16/04/2015
The EPS Group has announced expansion plans for a proposed new design and manufacturing centre of excellence. The €3m investment will also create 50 new jobs. EPS is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through Enterprise Ireland. The new facility, which is currently sub
16/04/2015
The Green Party is urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to prosecute Irish Water over the continuing sewerage discharge into Doldrum Bay in Howth. Green Party Councillor David Healy commented: "The EPA have failed for four years to enforce the condition of the licence. It is particularl
16/04/2015
Cork County Council has launched a new 'Planning Viewer Cork' app. The app is free to download on Google's Play Store and Apple's App Store, in a bid to simplify the inspection of planning notices. Its key features are: • Contains summary details of planning applications lodged with Cork County
16/04/2015
Lagan Construction and NI Water are currently carrying out pipelaying work in Lisburn. The work on Church Road is part of a £14m Castor Bay to Belfast Water Trunk Main Scheme. The section of Church Road affected by the work lies between the junction with Lough Road and St. Andrew's Water Pumping S
16/04/2015
Fine Gael has slammed Dublin City Council for rejecting a proposal to refurbish O'Devaney Gardens. Dublin South Central TD, Catherine Byrne, said it has let down homeless people. She said: "This was a good plan; part of a 20-point Action Plan on Homelessness that came from the Summit on Homelessne
15/04/2015
Dublin City Councillors have rejected plans to refurbish O'Devaney Gardens in Dublin. Minister Alan Kelly TD and Minister of State Paudie Coffey TD have expressed their disappointment at the decision. The refurbishment plan was part of a 20-point Action Plan on Homelessness that came from a Summit
15/04/2015
Greenhouse gas emissions from Irish firms in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme in 2014 increased by 1.7 per cent overall compared to 2013, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The increase is largely due to increased emissions from the cement sector and reflects increased productio
15/04/2015
Belfast firm McLaughlin & Harvey has secured the contract for Hawley Primary School as part of the Camden Lock Village development by Market Tech Holdings Ltd. The infant and junior primary school and nursery will be the first part of the scheme to be delivered. It is expected to open in September
15/04/2015
Jobs in the construction industry will be given a boost after it was announced schools across Northern Ireland are to benefit from a £40m investment under the Department of Education's minor works scheme. Minor works are projects ranging from minor repairs to more significant work projects and exte
15/04/2015
Sandvik Construction is to showcase its Mobiles Premium range at the Machinery Movers at the CQMS 2015 show in County Offaly on the 17th – 18th April. The QS331 cone and the QA451 Doublescreen will be on display at one of Ireland's largest construction and quarrying machinery show. During CQMS 20
15/04/2015
Sinn Féin TD Martin Ferris is calling for an independent working group to draw up proper guidelines regarding the eligibility of marginal land under the Basic Payment Scheme for farmers. At a Joint Oireachtas Committee meeting on Tuesday (14 April), representatives of the Irish Natural and Hill Far
15/04/2015
Plans for a real estate project outside of Dublin have been approved. The publication by Limerick City and County Council of an invitation for expressions of interest in the €80-€100m strategic Opera Centre site has been given the go ahead for development, which is a key element of the 2030 Economi
15/04/2015
The new 2015 Eurovent energy efficiency classification, which came into effect January 1 this year, places much higher demands on the energy use of air filters. Camfil is one of the first companies in Europe to develop an energy-efficient air filter rated A+, the highest rating according to the ne
14/04/2015
The Government is being urged to outline its plan for the development of Bord na Móna. Fianna Fáil TD for Offaly Barry Cowen has called for the introduction of a support mechanism to support the growth of the biomass industry in order to create new opportunities for Bord na Móna. Deputy Cowen comm
14/04/2015
A new 'Sustainable Building Guide' produced by Smart Eco Hub has been launched by the Environment Minister. The guide is beneficial for people working within the construction industry. Speaking at the launch, which saw representatives from local businesses, local government and the construction in
14/04/2015
Northern Ireland house prices increased by 14.2% in the year to February, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). At £152,000 on average, properties are still approximately 43% below their 2007 peak. Annual house price increases in England were driven by an annual increase in the Ea
14/04/2015
Fianna Fail is urging the Permanent TSB (PTSB) to compensate approximately 2,000 customers who were wrongly denied a tracker mortgage rate. In February, the bank withdrew a Supreme Court appeal against a High Court decision which upheld a decision of the Financial Services Ombudsman in favour of ba
14/04/2015
Fianna Fáil has said the party's latest policy paper on energy provides an excellent platform to discuss Ireland's current position. Deputy Michael Moynihan commented: "Ireland is still excessively dependent on energy importation to power our homes and businesses. This is a precarious position that
14/04/2015
The Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) has hosted a workshop as part of the ARCOM doctoral series. The aim of the workshop was to explore research methodologies and the theoretical underpinnings facing researchers within the construction and engineering sector. Although research methodology f
14/04/2015
'Ireland's Ancient East', on the scale of the Wild Atlantic Way, has launched today. The plan was introduced by Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Pascal Donohoe TD and the Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring TD, in co-operation with Fáilte Ireland. Fine Gael TD for Louth
14/04/2015
The annual tax-free forestry premium payments for this year are to be issued today. Tom Hayes, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine said forest owners should receive them by the end of this week. Minister Hayes said: "The level of payments each year illustr
14/04/2015
The Minister for Transport is being called to explain the delay in the upgrade of the L'Derry to Belfast rail link. Sinn Féin East Derry MLA Cathal Ó hOisín said Minister Danny Kennedy is withholding the report on the Project assessment citing 'commercial confidentiality'. Mr Ó hOisín said: "Work
14/04/2015
The Labour Party is calling for further discussions over the regeneration of O'Devaney Gardens in Dublin. TD Joe Costello said while the homeless crisis needs to be addressed, there are serious questions that need to be answered. Mr Costello said: "There are serious questions-marks over the use of
13/04/2015
Fianna Fáil is to unveil its proposals on a new policy document on energy tomorrow, Tuesday. The party's spokesperson on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Michael Moynihan TD said Ireland's current energy policy is driving up consumer prices. Deputy Moynihan said: "Moving towards a carb
13/04/2015
Irish Water has announced a partnership with Wicklow County Council to invest €0.85 million in the replacement and rehabilitation of three water reservoirs at Lamberton, Arklow. M.J.S. Civil Engineering has been awarded the contract with works to start in April with a contract duration of twelve m
13/04/2015
The Alliance Party has expressed concern over the 'indefinite' closure of a leisure centre in east Belfast over an asbestos problem. Alliance Councillor Michael Long has expressed his unhappiness at the ongoing closure of the Robinson Centre. Councillor Long, who alongside his party colleagues suc
13/04/2015
Improvement work started today, Monday, on the Castlereagh Road in east Belfast. DARD Rivers Agency is warning of disruption to traffic in East Belfast as works to replace the existing under-capacity Loop River culvert commence in the area between the Grand Parade / Ladas Drive junction and the Tes
13/04/2015
Translink has announced there will be another four month delay in upgrading the L'Derry-Belfast railway. SDLP Spokesperson on Regional Development John Dallat MLA said it is "another unsurprising disappointment". He said: "This really is becoming a comedy of mismanagement by Translink who clearly
13/04/2015
County Fermanagh firm Ernco Group (Erne Management) is to invest £250,000 in its business over the next three years. It also plans to create three new jobs as part of a strategy to increase sales of its traffic management products in the Republic of Ireland. Invest Northern Ireland has offered fir
13/04/2015
Dublin City Council is to be questioned by Sinn Féin to reveal tenants' details to Irish Water. Councillor Daithí Doolan confirmed the decision was made without seeking tenants consent. He said: "Sinn Féin have tabled an Emergency Motion for this Monday's Dublin City Council meeting. "We firmly
10/04/2015
Irish firm Vayu Energy partnered with Action Renewables in Belfast to unveil the winners of the 2015 Action Renewables Association Awards. The awards were presented at an event in the Belfast Harbour to ten local businesses and organisations for their work in furthering the renewables industry and
10/04/2015
£200,000 has been secured for the Rural Micro Capital Programme. Applications will open from Monday 13th April. The scheme is designed to allow rural community groups to apply for grants between £500 and £1500 for minor works and the purchase of equipment. Sinn Féin MLA Ian Milne welcomed the ann
10/04/2015
A bill to redevelop the National Monument at Moore Street has been published by Fianna Fáil. The Moore Street Area Renewal and Development Bill 2015 will establish an urban development company tasked with delivering urban regeneration at the very heart of Dublin city. Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on
10/04/2015
Fianna Fáil is calling on Minister Alan Kelly to tackle the growing waiting list problem for housing in Laois. Sean Fleming TD said he welcomed the recent housing announcement, however he said it is "not ambitious enough". Deputy Fleming said: "The plan outlined by the Government is lacking in det
10/04/2015
Up to 400 homeless families are to be housed in Dublin flats, previously marked for demolition. Dublin City Council (DCC) has announced a plan to refurbish O'Devany Gardens in north Dublin, following approval of €4.72 million in government funding. DCC said that following the refurbishment work, p
10/04/2015
The winner's of Ireland's first Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) competition, in collaboration with Enterprise Ireland and ESB, have been announced. Carra, EC Charging, Electro Automation and Smartcharge Ltd, will each receive €25,000 to provide evidence for the viability of their smart so
09/04/2015
Fine Gael has higlighted the importance of climate change ahead of the passing of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill. Fine Gael TD for Limerick, said the party remains fully committed for the Government to publish legislation on climate change. FG TD Dan Neville said: "Climate chan
09/04/2015
Irish energy firm, Energia, has announced it is sponsoring The Sustainable Energy Achievement Award at the Green Awards 2015. Energia Renewables is among Ireland's leading providers of sustainable green energy and 25% of Ireland's wind power is currently provided through Energia to homes and busine
09/04/2015
750 construction jobs are to be created during the development of the new Center Parcs Holiday Family Resort in Ballymahon. The project is also expected to create 1,000 permanent jobs on site. Fine Gael TD for Longford Westmeath, Gabrielle McFadden said it will become the shining jewel in the tour
09/04/2015
Sinn Féin has launched the Water Services Repeal Bill. Finance spokesperson Deputy Pearse Doherty said the party is committed to scrapping the charges. He said: "This is the bill which we will enact in order to do that. We are now seeking a mandate from the people to enact this bill and scrap wate
09/04/2015
Only 5 homes riddled with pyrite have been fixed under the Pyrite Remediation Scheme, Fianna Fáil has confirmed. The number was confirmed by the Minister for Housing Paudie Coffey in response to a Parliamentary Question from Fianna Fáil. A total of 630 households have applied under the scheme sinc
09/04/2015
A new diesel marker has been introduced to tackle fuel fraud. Ulster Unionist Westminster candidate for Fermanagh & South Tyrone, Tom Elliott has welcomed the news which will apply in both the UK and the Republic of Ireland. The marker will be almost impossible for fuel launderers to remove. Mr
08/04/2015
Fine Gael has welcomed the review of building regulations in Ireland. Patrick O'Donovan, FG TD for Limerick, confirmed the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 are to be reviewed, focusing particularly on the cost burden involved for one-off houses, including self-build, and extensions to
08/04/2015
Graham Structural Solutions (GSS) has scooped a contract with Irish Water. Irish Water have identified a number of critical service reservoir assets at risk of failure that could impact significantly on service, water quality, costs, environment or safety. GSS has been successfully awarded the Lo
08/04/2015
Northern Ireland Water has met with a representative of the Alliance Party over residents' concerns about the extension of roadworks in east Belfast. Naomi Long requested the meeting after NIW announced that the Mersey Street roadworks, which were originally scheduled to finish this summer, were be
08/04/2015
More than 20 schools in Meath are to benefit from the Summer Works Scheme, following an announcement that €36m is to be invested in 559 schools across the country. Fine Gael TD for Meath West, Ray Butler, has welcomed the news and said the funding is to be used for improvements to the external envi
08/04/2015
Five tonnes of toxic waste has been dumped in Newtownhamilton. Sinn Féin has slammed the "disgraceful attack on the community". MLA Megan Fearon said those behind the act have no regard for the area or its people. She said: "Thankfully, the Environment Agency was able to remove this poison befor
08/04/2015
A fire has occurred at Derryginagh Water Treatment Plant following an electrical fault. The incident happened in the early hours of Friday morning. Gardaí and the fire brigade attended the scene. The blaze was extinguished in an hour. All reservoirs are full and consumers' water supply is not e
02/04/2015
Holiday resort firm, Center Parcs, has announced it is to invest €100m in a new complex in Longford. Fianna Fáil TD for Longford - Westmeath Robert Troy has welcomed the announcement. Deputy Troy said: "The announcement is a huge boost to Longford and the wider Midlands Region. Center Parcs is loo
02/04/2015
Building firms H&J Martin has joined the Lagan Construction Group of companies. H&J Martin will continue to trade under their existing brand name, the entity will come under the structures of the Lagan Construction Group of companies. Lagan Construction Group will employ over 900 people with a tur
02/04/2015
The Energy Minister has confirmed he is committed to European Union measures to enhance cooperation in the development of energy infrastructure. Speaking at a meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications, Minister Alex White said he would strengthen security of energy s
02/04/2015
A new campaign has been launched by the government and the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) to help unemployed construction workers get back to work. It comes as the latest Live Register figures published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) revealed the standardised unemployment rate to be
02/04/2015
Housing lists in Dublin and Fingal are to decrease by 21% and 23% respectively after the government pledged to deliver over 4,700 social housing units by the end of 2017. Dublin Bay North Labour TD Sean Kenny welcomed the announcement and confirmed a total of €373,235,868 is to be invested in Dubli
02/04/2015
The Minister for Finance has confirmed he will ask the Governor of the Central Bank "to consider what influence the Central Bank (can) bring to bear to bring variable mortgage rates closer to the cost of funds". Fianna Fáil Finance spokesperson Michael McGrath welcomed the commitment from the Minis
02/04/2015
Sinn Féin has slammed the Government's attitude to struggling householders with its 'compliant' attitude to the banks. The party's leader, Gerry Adams TD, asked Taoiseach Enda Kenny if it was fair for families to be threatened with having Water Charges deducted from their income, while the Governme
01/04/2015
The government has confirmed it is to acquire the National Monument at 14 - 17 Moore Street in Dublin. Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams TD welcomed the decision and commended the relatives of the 1916 Leaders "without whose diligence this decision would never have been taken". He said: "After years
01/04/2015
Sinn Féin has said the Visteon site in west Belfast must include both social housing and economic use that will create job opportunities for local people. Councillor Paul Maskey said: "Clearly there is a high demand for homes in West Belfast and this site is large enough to include both new homes a
01/04/2015
A leisure centre in east Belfast is to close indefinitely over asbestos concerns. The Robinson Centre, on the Montgomery Road, has now transferred to Belfast's new super council. The issue will now undergo a full judicial review at a later date, however an interim decision means the new Lisburn Ca
01/04/2015
Building work has started on a new extension at Willowbridge School in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland. The extension will include the building of a range of multi-purpose classrooms for Home Economics, Art and Design as well as general use. The project is being funded through the School Enhancement
01/04/2015
Sinn Féin claims it has taken too long for the government to release the details of its spending plan for housing over the next two years. While the party welcomed the plan, housing spokesperson, Dessie Ellis TD, said it has taken too long to deliver in the context of a severe housing crisis. Mr E
01/04/2015
Plans to regenerate the King's Hall Complex in Belfast have been approved. Alliance Councillor Paula Bradshaw added that the jobs created by the housing project, and the housing facilities on offer afterwards, would be a welcome boost to the area. She said: "I think it is really exciting that the
