Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Ireland Construction News Archive for April 2009
30/04/2009
The Irish planning appeals body has rejected proposals for a Buncrana mixed-use development, which could have created up to 90 building jobs. Prior to An Bord Pleanála's decision, the plans had been approved by the local council. Shay McCallion intended to construct the state-of-the-art project
30/04/2009
A popular County Down pub has underwent a dramatic £700,000 facelift, partly backed by Ulster Bank. O'Hare's in Newcastle received around half a million pounds from the bank to extend and refurbish its leisure offerings in the seaside town. The family run O'Hare's Lounge Bars redevelopment is th
30/04/2009
Clare TD Tony Killeen yesterday confirmed grant aid has been approved for capital projects at three primary schools in the county. The Building Unit of the Department of Education told Mr Killeen, who has made numerous representations on behalf of the schools concerned, that grant aid has been sanc
30/04/2009
A North Down builder has been fined for falsely claiming to be a member of a trade association. Gary Black, most recently of Carrowdore Gardens, Bangor, was made to pay a total of £400 plus £84 court costs at Bangor Magistrates’ Court, yesterday. Mr Black, trading as 'North Down Roofing Repairs',
30/04/2009
Spending on infrastructure should be prioritised to help protect against climate change, top engineers have told the Irish Government. Meeting at Climate Change Workshop seminar, the Irish Academy of Engineering has sought to identify how existing energy, transport and water infrastructure needs t
30/04/2009
Northern Ireland Finance Minister Nigel Dodds has welcomed the role partnerships, involving local firms, play in opening up procurement opportunities, and securing local building contracts. Mr Dodds was speaking during a visit to the Model School for Girls project in North Belfast. The project, w
30/04/2009
Ireland's Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe has opened a new extension at Barnacarroll National School in Claremorris, Co Mayo. The school got €334,000 under the Permanent Accommodation Scheme to build two extra classrooms and learning support room. Speaking at the school, Minister O'Keeffe said: "
30/04/2009
A leading stockist of roofline products with branches located throughout the UK, National Plastics, has decided to stock its new branch in Exeter with Freeflow® rainwater systems. Freefoam, a market leader in environmentally friendly and UV protected roofline and rainwater products, manufactures
29/04/2009
Northern Ireland's First Minister has said almost £20bn will be spent on capital investment over the next decade. Peter Robinson, addressing a delegation of building industry affiliates, said the local construction sector has a vital role to play in the province's economy. Mr Robinson said the St
29/04/2009
TD Deirdre Clune has hit out at the government for cutting roads funding in County Cork. She said the State's decision to slash Cork City and County Councils' roads budgets by over €20m will result in local roads slipping further into a state of "decay and dilapidation". Cork County Council has s
29/04/2009
Patton Construction has been awarded a £44m contract to build the new Belfast Metropolitan College within the city's Titanic Quarter. The Ballymena company will be responsible for the design and build of the new college to a complete turnkey specification. Patton Construction staff went on site
29/04/2009
An Bord Pleanála has opened an oral hearing into plans for a €150m twin incinerator at Cork habour. The proposal for the Ringaskiddy were brought forward by Indaver Ireland. Around 284 objections have been lodged against the planned facility, including submissions from Cork City and County Counc
29/04/2009
A new £1.26m regeneration centre has officially opened on Belfast's Donegall Road. The newly constructed three-storey Richview Regeneration Centre is being managed by the Greater Village Regeneration Trust. Funding of around £500,000, towards the construction scheme, came from the Department for S
29/04/2009
Bones have been recovered from a Waterford building site. Contractors clearing the area, to make way for a department store expansion, found the remains, which are believed to belong to as many as 30 people. Police were called to the area and deemed the bones too old to be of forensic significan
29/04/2009
A ZinCo green roof system from sustainable roofing specialists Alumasc has been chosen for the new National Trust Visitor Centre at Portstewart Strand in County Londonderry. The National Trust is Northern Ireland's largest conservation charity and the Strand, nestled amongst a two mile stretch of
29/04/2009
Irish Minister for Education Batt O'Keeffe has opened a new school building for Scoil Chomáin Naofa in Hollymount, Co Mayo. Speaking at the 117-pupil school, Minister O'Keeffe said: "My department contributed €560,000 under the Small Schools Scheme towards the cost of the new school which has four
29/04/2009
Despite continuing recession and a hard-hit construction industry, Northern Ireland's newest housing association is enjoying a formal launch today. NI Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie MLA, is at Malone House in south Belfast to officially announce the foundation of the Alpha Housing As
28/04/2009
Over €1.2bn will be set aside for social housing schemes in Ireland, the housing minister has revealed. Michael Finneran, speaking during the launch of the 2009 National Housing Conference in Sligo, reiterated the dramatic changes in the market since the last meeting two years ago. "The Irish hou
28/04/2009
Over £3m is to be spent on remedial and infrastructure work at Fort George in Co Londonderry, it has been revealed. Regeneration Minister Margaret Ritchie said Ilex will oversee the programme of works, which is the first practical step in preparing the site for the market. Works will include the
28/04/2009
Town councillors in Mallow, Co Cork, have objected to plans for 130 new social houses in the area, a scheme thought to be worth more than €25m to the local construction sector. The move has angered one councillor, who said 600 people currently on the housing waiting list are being failed. Willie
28/04/2009
Sitting MEP Bairbre de Brún has claimed the Northern Ireland Executive could exploit EU funding better, in order to support the local construction industry. Ms de Brún, speaking at a Fermanagh Employment Conference, said the devolved government at Stormont could use EU funds to part-finance a prog
28/04/2009
Three new civic amenity sites have opened in Letterkenny, Milford and Dungloe. The gates at the newly constructed facilities were opened to the public for the first time last week. Each new site will cater for a wide range of materials for recycling, 27 items in total which includes glass, cans,
28/04/2009
Communities looking to develop local tourism should look at the role traditional buildings could play, Stormont Environment Minister Sammy Wilson has said. Mr Wilson was commenting on traditional architecture in the Glens of Antrim at an event organised by the Federation for Ulster Local Studies.
28/04/2009
Ireland's Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe has visited Davitt College in Castlebar, Co Mayo to turn the sod for the new building project. The new sports hall will be named after a former principal, Joe Langan, a legendary Mayo senior footballer who won an All-Ireland medal and went on to train the
28/04/2009
A bad atmosphere at work isn't just unpleasant to work in – it can actually increase the likelihood of depression among workers, according to a new study. Employers in construction businesses are now being warned to tackle stress in the workplace before it becomes a major problem. New research un
27/04/2009
County council candidate Tom McNamara has said sport infrastructure spending in the Clare region has effectively been frozen, denying the local economy much-needed construction jobs. He said the discontinuation of grant aid under the National Lottery-funded Sports Capital Programme will also affec
27/04/2009
A newly-built Fermanagh workspace development in Clabby, can help to stimulate economic growth in the local area, the Enterprise Minister has said. Arlene Foster officially opened the 10,109 square foot workspace at Clabby Enterprise Park last week. Around 36 new jobs will be created through th
27/04/2009
Irish Trade Minister Mary Coughlan will lead a construction trade mission to Saudi Arabia and Qatar later this week. The delegation of 64 firms will visit three cities, Doha in Qatar, and Riyadh and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. The purpose of the mission is to increase awareness of Ireland in the Gulf
27/04/2009
Dublin-owned building materials firm Readymix has reported a 39% fall in first quarter revenues. It is believed this drop worked out at a €3.9m pretax loss. According to management, the loss was a slight improvement on the €4m loss posted for the same period last year. Revenues were lower due
27/04/2009
Sinn Fein has called on the Executive to provide was it calls an "honest assessment" of plans for new social housing provisions in the province. Assemblyman Fra McCann urged Finance Minister Nigel Dodds to challenge Housing Minister Margaret Ritchie on her department's Programme for Government com
27/04/2009
Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe has opened a new school building in Carrowkennedy National School in Westport, Co Mayo. The Department of Education and Science provided a grant of €1.4m for two new classrooms, a resource room, PE hall, library and office. "I'd like to congratulate Carrowkennedy N
27/04/2009
Residents in a Co Down village are celebrating the completion of an art project that has transformed a run-down area. The project - in Conlig - which was funded as part of an external maintenance scheme, was managed by local artist Evelyn Joyce and involved members of the Conlig community painting
27/04/2009
SAS International has provided acoustic door and wall panelling solution to Dublin's new landmark arena. The firm supplied over 500 specification grade doors, as well as an acoustic wall panelling solution, to the recently renovated O2 Arena scheme. Designed by HOK Architects, the O2 Arena has s
24/04/2009
An Bord Pleanala has been told of the "positive" impact a €1.25bn redevelopment scheme planned for Dublin's O'Connell Street would have on the city. Developers, arguing their case before the planning appeals board, said the regeneration proposals for the 5.5 acre former Carlton cinema site would m
24/04/2009
Eight Northern Ireland firms have visited one of the world's biggest construction exhibitions this week, as part of an Invest Northern Ireland organised trade mission. The firms visited Intermat 2009 in Paris as part of Invest NI's programme of marketing initiatives for the Northern Ireland constr
24/04/2009
Ireland's Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe has opened a new €330,000 extension in St Colmcille's National School, Westport, Co Mayo. The extension has two classrooms, a library, and a principal's and secretary's office. Speaking at the school, Minister O'Keeffe said: "This project came about thro
24/04/2009
Ballymena-based Patton Group has been commended for its innovation at a recent awards ceremony. The firm scooped the Excellence in Innovation title at the 2009 Belfast Telegraph Northern Ireland Business Awards. A spokesman for the group, which was established in 1912, said since 2005, its inves
24/04/2009
Over one thousand people packed out this week's Construction Industry Federation (CIF) backed New Homes Fair in Cork. CIF said the volume of people in attendance has proven that there is still "great interest" in the new homes market in Cork. Around 700 people visited the New Homes Fair over a fo
24/04/2009
Despite post-Budget belt-tightening, the NI Finance Minister Nigel Dodds has told a leading housing body that ambitious house building projects remain on track. Mr Dodds was addressing the Northern Ireland Housing Council this week and said that, despite the recent shortfall in house and land recei
24/04/2009
Kildare-based Pedreschi Electrical and Alarms has been named a Regional Winner at the inaugural Registered Electrical Contractors of Ireland (RECI) Awards The awards, supported by Hibernian Aviva and Arachas Corporate Brokers, recognises 'bright sparks' in the electrical contracting industry. Hav
24/04/2009
Stormont Energy Minister Arlene Foster has endorsed higher levels of power generation from renewable sources and development of the electricity grid. The Minister, speaking at the International Council on Large Electric Systems (CIGRE) Seminar on 'Low Carbon Power Systems', also welcomed the opport
24/04/2009
Freefoam Plastics, a market leader in roofline colour choice and technology, has reported that sales of its coloured roofline products continue to increase significantly in all geographic markets including the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe. This growth reflects the fact that 77% of the market n
23/04/2009
A Fine Gael election candidate in Meath has put his weight behind calls for a government stimulus to help out of work builders. Pat O'Brien, who is running for a seat in the Slane/Dunleek ward, said all relevant authorities must act to help unemployed construction professionals, who he says are an
23/04/2009
An Stormont assemblyman has raised concerns over the Housing Executive's shift in priority, from more building houses to improving current stock. Ulster Unionist Fred Cobain said he was troubled by the greater emphasis place on refurbishment rather than redevelopment. Targeting his questions at
23/04/2009
Some Irish electricians have resorted to providing their employers with one hour of free labour everyday in order to remain competitive, it has emerged. The move is part of a 'job survival plan' backed by the National Electrical Contractors Ireland (NECI), which the group has described as "ingenio
23/04/2009
A regeneration masterplan for Ballymena town centre, estimated to be worth around £200m to the local construction industry, has been unveiled. Announcing the scheme, Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie said no town centre can afford to be complacent in the current tough economic condition
23/04/2009
Ireland's Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe has officially opened a new extension in Carrowholly National School in Westport, County Mayo. The school received €406,000 under the Permanent Accommodation Scheme to build two extra classrooms and two resource rooms. Speaking at the school, Minister O'K
23/04/2009
Plans to develop Down Arts Centre in Downpatrick have been lodged by the district council. It is believed the proposed scheme will involve internal alterations as well as an extension, which have been described as 'ambitious'. Work on the Irish Street building will see an adjoining property on S
23/04/2009
Local representatives in Slane, County Meath, have voted not to pursue a campaign against the developer who demolished an historic local bridge. The wooden Laytown's structure, used by pedestrians, was flattened by Irish Rail, an act described by one Green Party councillor as "disgraceful". Tom
22/04/2009
A new prison will not be built in Cork until until the new Dublin prison at Thornton Hall is under construction, a local TD has learned. Director General of the Irish Prison Service, Brian Purcell, told Fine Gael politician Deirdre Clune the new Dublin facility will provide the opportunity for a n
22/04/2009
A £1m upgrade project at Carryduff's Lough Moss leisure centre has been given the go-ahead. As part of the plans, a new 3G ground and five-a-side football pitch will be installed, as well as 24 new floodlights. The scheme, which was approved last month, generated a mixed reaction from representat
22/04/2009
Irish Transport Minister Noel Dempsey has set aside €3m to improve cycle paths in Dublin city. The Minister made the announcement as part of a raft of measures to improve cycling access in the capital. Work on the flagship Sutton to Sandycove Cycle Route will also be advanced by the department,
22/04/2009
Since 2004 around £361,000 has been paid out by the Roads Service to Mid-Ulster drivers whose vehicles were damaged by pot holes, money which one local MLA says could be better spent on improving surfaces. Assemblyman Billy Armstrong wrote to Transport Minister Conor Murphy seeking the cost of re
22/04/2009
Public Works Junior Minister Martin Mansergh has officially opened the newly refurbished exhibition studios Custom House in Westport, County Mayo. Dr Mansergh described the workspace as the "very cornerstone" of visual arts provision. "Artists need space to work, space to create the art we enjoy
22/04/2009
A West Belfast assemblyman has called on Invest NI to secure the development of a site on the Springfield Road. Paul Maskey said the site is currently being used by local youths from both sides of the interface to launch stoning incidents against rival groups. He said: "This land along the Spring
22/04/2009
The Construction Industry Federation will hold a Dublin trade fair next month in bid to bolster the building sector. The half-day seminar and trade show will take place at the Radisson Hotel on Golden Lane, on Thursday 7 May. The purpose of this seminar is to guide companies through the range of
22/04/2009
RTÉ presenter Neville Knott has slammed the Irish interior design industry, saying it is in need of radical change. Speaking at the launch of Showhouse Annual, he said: "What people want are designs that will endure... Interior design stores need to freshen things up. "Too many stores are selling
21/04/2009
South Cork TD Deirdre Clune has welcomed An Bord Pleanála decision to overturn planning permission for 140 new houses in Ballygarvan Village. Ms Clune said the news would also be welcomed by local residents, who were opposed to the development. An Bord Pleanála ruled the scheme was contrary to th
21/04/2009
NIE has announced plans to provide additional support for renewable energy in Northern Ireland. As part of its Smart Programme, NIE will be offering a new top-up grant to those householders who have successfully applied for a grant from the Government’s Low Carbon Buildings Programme Stream 1: (
21/04/2009
The Construction Industry Federation will hold its second annual Cork New Homes Fair in the county tomorrow. Over 1,200 people visited last year's two exhibitions, and the CIF hopes the 2009 event at the Imperial Hotel in South Mall will be equally successful. The New Homes Fair offers an opport
21/04/2009
A Carlow councillor has hit out at those he claims are keeping the "locks on the gates" in Bagenalstown by objecting to developments in the area. Paddy Kiely said the town is being "crucified by objectors", while discussing plans for a new supermarket. The town council has learned of objections
21/04/2009
Northern Ireland Housing Minister Margaret Ritchie has welcomed the announcement by HM Treasury to introduce a UK-wide Homeowners Mortgage Support Scheme. Lenders covering around 80% of the mortgage market will now be providing enhanced support to their customers who may be facing difficulties at t
21/04/2009
Westmeath County Council has showcased affordable houses in Mullingar and Kinnegad in a bid to encourage more buyers into the market. The council also displayed a large number of properties which were purchased by the authority under the Part V provision of the Local Government Planning and Develo
21/04/2009
Work is to begin on the LUAS track extension in the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown area. The county council has said the junctions of Ballyogan Avenue East and Ballyogan Road and Glencairn Crescent/Ballyogan Road will be closed to facilitate the work. Installation works are part of the proposed extension
21/04/2009
Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) has begun its search for Ireland's most energy efficient businesses, with the launch of the Sustainable Energy Awards 2009. The awards, organised by SEI in association with ESB Customer Supply, recognise the achievements of Irish businesses succeeding in their effo
20/04/2009
Irish Energy Minister Eamon Ryan has described the creation of 3,700 new green economy jobs as a step to shortening dole queues, while helping the environment. Mr Ryan welcomed ESB's jobs announcement, which are in the areas of smart meters, smart networks, electric vehicles, wind energy, home ins
20/04/2009
Stormont Environment Minister Sammy Wilson has launched a new guide for the construction industry on how to turn waste into a valuable resource. The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and the Quarry Products Association Northern Ireland (QPANI) have developed the guidance to promote the sus
20/04/2009
The Northern Ireland Housing Executive has completed extensive modernisation to 31 homes at Lisanally Villas, Armagh and St Matthews, Keady. District Manager Aengus Hannaway, welcoming the completion of the work, said: "This major improvement scheme is part of the Housing Executive’s strategic appr
20/04/2009
Town councillors in Bray have expressed dismay over a central government decision to freeze local authority house buying. Elected representatives were told that no approval will be given to councils this year for the purchase of any new houses. Triona Irving, a local housing officer, said the new
20/04/2009
Sean Quinn has said he expects his multifaceted Quinn Group to defy the recession this year, by yielding profits of around €500m. Despite describing the first quarter of 2009 as "challenging", the group said it had resisted the temptation to cut prices. The group did report a 40% drop in the valu
20/04/2009
Clare County Council has increased the provision of a green waste recycling facility at its recycling centres in Shannon and Lisdeen. The new facility will enable householders in the greater Shannon and West Clare areas to dispose of green waste at their local recycling centres. The service is alre
20/04/2009
An oral hearing has been heard into plans to widen the Dublin Road in Bray. An Bord Pleanala hosted the event which took place at the Ramada Hotel on the Southern Cross Road. The proposals for the scheme have been brought forward by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown. Councillor John Ryan said consideration
20/04/2009
After negotiating with its suppliers the Building Exhibition (17–19 September) is now able to offer a 30% space rate discount to all Exhibitors at the 2009 Building Exhibition. This means a reduction from €155per m² to only €108.50. These are unprecedented economic times however it's never been mor
17/04/2009
A new half million pound public realm scheme has kicked-off in Cookstown. The scheme is designed to create a civic space in the Burn Road area of the town centre and compliment the civic buildings such as the Burnavon Theatre. Plans are also afoot to transform Burn Road, creating a more useable
17/04/2009
Over 100 new jobs are to be created at Dundrum's largest shopping mall, as the award-winning centre expands its retail offering over the next several months. Dundrum Town Centre said seven new tenants will open their doors, offering fashion, leisure, food and specialist services, ultimately genera
17/04/2009
A £230,000 project to fit new kitchens to 50 Housing Executive properties in Dungannon has commenced. The work will be carried out on homes in Springfield Crescent and Bernagh Drive areas of the town. District Manager John McCartan said: "We are carrying out work to provide new kitchens to houses,
17/04/2009
Energy Minister Eamon Ryan has announced his department's Supplementary Budget Estimates for 2009, suggesting that state commitment to green energy will continue to create jobs. Minister Ryan said the department would make necessary savings across areas such as administrative costs and consultancy
17/04/2009
Stormont Minister Michelle Gildernew has discussed efforts to improve flood defence measures in east Belfast with a delegation led by local assemblyman Robin Newton. The Minister met the delegation to discuss flooding at Loop Bridge, Castlereagh in the summer of 2008. Ms Gildernew said: "Last year
17/04/2009
A personal health and fitness company has announced 20 new jobs for Ennis in County Clare, with the opening of a new gym. Ozone Health & Fitness Ltd said the new jobs will be created over the next six weeks at the newly opened Ozone Centre in the Quin Road Business Park. The centre contains Clare
17/04/2009
A 4% discount is available to all Northern Ireland domestic ratepayers if they pay their rate bill in full by 5 May, the Department of Finance has said. Payment must be received and credited to rate accounts by this date - five working days should be allowed for the payment to be received. A spok
17/04/2009
The Irish Minister Eamon Ryan presented Energy Management Certificates to 30 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) from throughout Clare and Limerick at a ceremony in Ennis last night. Each of the SMEs successfully completed the Energy Management Certification Scheme, which is organised by the Limeri
16/04/2009
A leading construction firm, PJ Hegarty and Sons has been awarded the contract to design and build the new Phibblestown schools campus in Dublin. An application for planning permission has been lodged and work is expected to begin by the summer. County Dublin Vocational Education Committee (VEC)
16/04/2009
Contractor Morgan Est Farrans JV has scooped a prestigious Gold Considerate Constructors Award in recognition of their work on the Belfast Sewers Project. A benchmark for industry standards, the award acknowledges the efforts made from the outset to ensure that the project team were 'considerate' i
16/04/2009
Works have been scheduled for the Sligo R284 realignment scheme. The construction works will begin at the end of this month and run until mid-July. Drumiskabole, Union and Ballydawley are the main townlands expected to benefit from the project. Sligo County Council has given notice of its intenti
16/04/2009
A £185,000 improvement scheme to fit new kitchens in 45 Housing Executive properties in the Portadown area has got underway. The homes are located in Watson Grove, Hampton Court, Clanroy Avenue, Clanroy Close, Charles Street and Old Rectory Park. Work will include full kitchen replacement and wi
16/04/2009
A south Dublin school has been awarded a second 'Green Flag' accolade for its energy consumption. The flag was raised at St. Kevins Girls National School, Kilnamanaghby, by Deputy Mayor Eamon Maloney, who congratulated the staff and pupils for their hard work and dedication in protecting and impro
16/04/2009
An innovative construction trade recycling scheme has been announced. Left over cuts of pipe are a by-product of both building schemes and when growing a natural gas network. Up until recently, Phoenix Natural Gas has been sending unused pipe ends over to Scotland to be recycled for use in plastic
16/04/2009
Stormont Finance Minister Nigel Dodds has met with the Construction Industry Forum for Northern Ireland (CIFNI) to discuss its proposals for public sector construction procurement, emerging from the work of the Procurement Task Group. In response to the economic downturn, the Minister announced the
16/04/2009
A new Belfast motorway lane has been temporarily opened today as testing takes place during the final phase of a major arterial infrastructure scheme. The development follows the recent opening of the newly constructed Collin and Longlands Bridges over the M2 motorway through Newtownabbey and into
15/04/2009
Tesco has confirmed it will submit an application to build a new, modern supermarket on the Saintfield Road, beside Edgar Avenue in Carryduff. The retail giant said it would hold a public exhibition to display the plans. Colin Hampsey, Tesco corporate affairs manager, said: "From customer resea
15/04/2009
Rural Affairs Minister Éamon Ó Cuív has lauded SIAC Construction Ltd for winning the Irish Concrete Society’s 2008 Infrastructural and Overall Award for Excellence for the Caladh Mór sheltered harbour project. The new harbour, Cé an Chalaidh Mhóir, was officially opened on November 3rd 2008. The
15/04/2009
Graham has been awarded an £8.7m contract to design and construct a new pedestrian and cycle bridge across the River Foyle in County Londonderry. The new bridge is part of a programme of regeneration for the area and will connect the historic city centre on the west bank of the Foyle with a propo
15/04/2009
As part of the Irish government's efforts to reduce public expenditure, Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe has outlined details of the 2009 Supplementary Budget provision for his department. The gross allocation for the Department of Education and Science is now €9.493bn. Around €81m in overall gros
15/04/2009
A Fermanagh MLA has warned continued lay-offs by architectural and construction design firms could deprive the province of the skills necessary to kick-start the construction industry when the current slump has passed. Ulster Unionist Tom Elliott passed on his sympathies to those currently left une
15/04/2009
The reviewed budget has slashed millions from proposed roads projects across the Republic, it has been announced. Despite €1bn being spent on improving public transport with a further €2bn set aside for national, regional and local roads, €15m has been wiped-off expenditure in national roads mainte
15/04/2009
Stormont Finance Minister Nigel Dodds has reaffirmed the Executive's commitment to investing in new public infrastructure to assist the construction and business sectors. Speaking after a meeting with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), which covered a range of issues within the l
15/04/2009
Thousands of jobs could be created by investing in renewable energy, energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions, according to green campaigners, who say more emphasis should be placed on a state-backed Green New Deal. A public talk on 'A Green New Deal - Ireland in Transition', is being held o
15/04/2009
While the construction industry 'led' the way in a league of poorly performing NI businesses sectors, it has emerged that retail businesses have also performing been badly in the local economy this year. A study undertaken on behalf of the Ulster Bank found that while the recession is hitting all b
09/04/2009
The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) has accused the government of dismantling the Public Capital Programme and rowing back on commitments to prioritise infrastructure improvements as a means of growing the productive capacity of the economy. The CIF also firmly dismissed any suggestion that
09/04/2009
The Maze Stadium plan is officially cancelled. The Stormont Executive's First Minister and Deputy First Minister today announced that the mooted MLK Masterplan won't now proceed in its original proposed form. In a joint statement Peter Robinson the First Minister and Martin McGuinness, the Deputy
09/04/2009
One of the UK housing sector's most senior figures is to lead a new Commission on the Future for Housing in Northern Ireland. Lord Richard Best OBE will chair the Commission, which will hope to play a leading role in contributing to housing solutions in Northern Ireland over the next decade and beyo
09/04/2009
Headland Group, one of the UK's largest archaeology organisations, has had its best ever year with group turnover smashing £12m and post tax transfers to reserves topping £1m for the year ended 31 May 2008. Formed in 1996 in a former lemonade factory in Edinburgh, the group, which has subsidiaries
09/04/2009
The Stormont Finance Minster has praised Northern Ireland's Planning Service for "its robust and efficient implementation" of the findings of a Performance Efficiency and Delivery Unit (PEDU) review of the service. Nigel Dodds said PEDU was formed a year ago to help departments achieve improved ser
09/04/2009
The decline in house sales has stymied a short-term boom in rental values. After months of growing demand for a limited amount of rented accommodation - as the availability of mortgages fell due to the credit crunch - rental prices in Belfast have now dropped by almost three per cent over the last
09/04/2009
A suburban bank destroyed in some of the worst rioting in decades won't now be rebuilt. The Cloughfern branch of the Northern Bank - which was burnt down during loyalist riots three and a half years ago - was earmarked to be reconstructed soon, but it has now emerged that the plan has been ditched.
09/04/2009
A Chinese firm has committed itself to building a much-mooted 140,000 square foot headquarters in Dundalk. SATIR has teamed up with Gailmill Developments to put together a design for a substantial factory at the IDA's Finnabair Business Park. IDA north east regional manager Pat Doherty said the c
09/04/2009
New legislation has been introduced to strengthen Northern Ireland's effectiveness in increasing renewables development. From the beginning of this month, a system of 'banding' to the Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation (NIRO) began. This means that the level of support available for electrici
09/04/2009
NI Housing Executive District Manager Ivan Armstrong has met with the Cookstown Housing Community Network representatives, and lauded the valuable role they play in assisting the District Office maintain its excellence in customer service. The Housing Community Network (HCN) is closely involved in
08/04/2009
The Irish Finance Minister Brian Lenihan has targeted first time buyers as part of yesterday's package of measures in the State's emergency Budget. As he began to detail a series of radical spending cuts and tax increases yesterday afternoon in the Dáil it emerged that mortgage interest relief for
08/04/2009
St. Kevins Girls National School (GNS), Kilnamanagh celebrated the raising of their second green flag for Energy. The flag was raised by Deputy Mayor Eamon Maloney and he congratulated the staff and pupils for their hard work and dedication in protecting and improving their environment. To achiev
08/04/2009
There has been confirmation that a 120-bedded unit at St. Vincent's Hospital - which will include dedicated facilities for cystic fibrosis patients - will proceed to tender and the unit will be operational as early as possible in 2011. The Republic's Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney sa
08/04/2009
A special guide to help Irish construction and building supply companies win business from the development of the 2012 Games has been launched by Invest Northern Ireland. The 'BUILD to Win Guide to Winning Tenders' was launched at a workshop attended by around 50 companies in construction services
08/04/2009
A planning appeal has been lodged by Wicklow residents in opposition to the construction of three houses on a 17th Century burial site. Weston Close residents said they will pursue An Bord Pleanála over the issue. Councillor Eamonn Long said Wicklow Town Council showed "a lack of respect for the
08/04/2009
Elected representatives in Dundalk have blasted a developer's decision to demolishing an old stone wall in Mill Street. Councillors accused the developer of 'flouting' planning guidelines during a debate in the town council chamber. Local residents had contacted councillor Martin Bellew to vent
08/04/2009
New gas heating systems have been installed in 90 Housing Executive homes in Londonderry. Tenants in the area have welcomed the investment, including Denise Irvine from Joyce Court. She said: "We are absolutely delighted with our new gas heating." Ms Irvine is just one of scores of Ballymagroar
08/04/2009
Plans for a new Co Wexford retail and resident developement have been presented to the local council. The application was submitted to New Ross Town Council, and details plans for the construction of the mixed-used scheme at the site of a former warehouse. R. Crosbie and Associates Chartered Bui
08/04/2009
Tilers knew exactly what was needed to protect the edge of a river - the special Schlüter®-SCHIENE profile with radius perforations. In a spectacular floor design in the middle of Ballymena Museum and Arts Complex, the river, made of resin, was bordered by ceramic tiles. Locally-based tiling contra
07/04/2009
Last week's gloom over engineering job losses in Northern Ireland was lightened on Monday with news that the £44m educational building contract had been signed. Belfast Metropolitan College's (BMC) new multi-million pound city centre campus will be located in the Titanic Quarter in east Belfast. I
07/04/2009
Initiatives are currently being taken which will have the impact of reducing Cork County Council's energy bill by over €400,000, this year, with other measures being planned to cut this even further in future years. Electricity is Cork County Councils largest energy source accounting for approximat
07/04/2009
Cheevers Electrical has been acknowledged as one of Ireland’s leading domestic electrical contractors. The firm were presented with the award at a glittering gala ceremony last week hosted by Duncan Stewart of RTE’s About the House and Eco Eye fame, at the Burlington Hotel Dublin. Cheevers Electri
07/04/2009
Asking prices for residential property fell 4.2% in the first three months of 2009, according to the latest report by property website Daft.ie. This latest drop in prices marks the eighth consecutive quarter that prices have fallen. The national average asking price now stands at €281,000, a fall
07/04/2009
An Bord Pleanala has faced a backlash after granting a Wexford golf course a discharge licence. An appeal has been lodged against the decision to allow St. Helen's Bay Golf Resort to discharge sewage. Wexford County Council granted St. Helen's Golf and Leisure Parcs a licence to emit sewage affl
07/04/2009
Affordable housing stock is still available in Dundalk, the town council has heard. Homes are still vacant in three areas, and council officials have insisted a new marketing campaign is already underway. Jim Byrne said the houses were for sale at Lis na Dara, the Newry Road and the Lower Point
07/04/2009
A large telecommunications firm has failed to gain permission to erect several new antennas in Wexford. Telefonica O2 Ireland Ltd had wanted to placed the erect panel antennas and radio link dishes in Templetown. Wexford County Council refused to allow the construction of a a 24 metre high monopo
07/04/2009
Building work has commenced on a new west Belfast playing field. The work is be undertaken at the site of a popular community complex in the area. It is expected construction works will be completed at the Grosvenor Community Centre by next year. A new football pitch forms part of the plans, whi
07/04/2009
NST was set up in 2001 to service the growing requirement for safety training and consultancy in Ireland. Our head office is based in Kanturk, Co.Cork but NST provide a nationwide service. NST began with Mark Murphy as the sole consultant and trainer and has expanded dramatically since. Now NST
06/04/2009
Iarnród Éireann has unveiled revised plans for an underground DART service between Dublin's docklands and the Inchicore area of the city. The service, which will allow passenger numbers on DART and commuter lines to treble from 33 million passengers to 100 million, will cost €2 billion to deliver a
06/04/2009
Consumer champions Buyers Broker Ltd. have urged inexperienced buyers, particularly first-time buyers to exercise caution when considering buying into new housing developments where the developers have given a fixed-price guarantee. This type of a guarantee in effect means that the developer is ag
06/04/2009
Holy Cross College, a £29m state-of-the-art secondary school in Strabane, has officially opened. The school designed by HLM Architects in collaboration of RPP Architects, was delivered by the Belfast Educational Services, which comprises O'Hare & McGovern and Interserve Plc. The new school has be
06/04/2009
There has been a broad welcome for a successful partnership approach that has been built up between a Stormont department and the construction industry. NI Finance Minister Nigel Dodds was speaking as he revealed that the Construction Industry Group - which comprises representatives of the construc
06/04/2009
Stormont Energy Minister Arlene Foster has announced new legislation to strengthen Northern Ireland's effectiveness in increasing renewables development. A system of 'banding' to the Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation (NIRO) has been introduced this month. This means that the level of support
06/04/2009
The Roads Service has installed new street lighting at the Rathgill Estate in Bangor, Co Down. Works were undertaken as part "of a programme to replace redundant street lights that have reached the end of their useful life", according to the Department of Regional Development. "In an urban area,
06/04/2009
A sculpture, marking the completion of the Bellaghy Community Regeneration Improvement Special Programme, has been unveiled. The bronze life size sculpture is entitled the 'Turfman' and has been created by Scottish artist David Annand as an interpretation of the Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney's liter
06/04/2009
Plans for the next stage of the Belfast Streets Ahead Project were unveiled last week. The next stage of the project will see Donegall Place and Castle Place undergo a £7m facelift to include new paving and lighting making streets more accessible for pedestrians. Social Development Minister Margar
03/04/2009
EirGrid has been given permission to construct the East-West interconnector, Energy Minister Eamon Ryan has revealed. The state have given EirGrid the go-ahead to deliver the crucial infrastructure in three years time. The 500MW interconnector will connect Ireland and Wales linking Woodland in Co
03/04/2009
A £7m scheme designed to rejuvenate the heart of Belfast city centre has been unveiled, marking the second phase of a massive urban renewal project. Works have already started on Donegall Place and Castle Place - the two main shopping precincts in the city. Social Development Minister Margaret R
03/04/2009
A Northern Ireland building firm has completed work on a new four-storey medical admissions unit at Dublin's Beaumont Hospital. It took under 12 months from the date the order was placed with Western Building Systems of Coalisland, Co Tyrone until completion of the project. Around 90 workers were
03/04/2009
A new centre offering affordable office, meeting and training spaces has opened at the Clon Road Business Park in Ennis. Since it was set up in January, the Clare Training Resource Centre (CTRC) has attracted a wide range of user groups from across Co Clare. Currently running at the multi-purpose
03/04/2009
Stormont Finance Minister Nigel Dodds has highlighted the importance of promoting best practice and innovation within the local construction industry. Addressing building industry delegates at the launch of the Constructing Excellence Northern Ireland (CEni) Demonstrations Projects, in Belfast, he
03/04/2009
Waterford-based Cheevers Electrical has been named one of Ireland's leading domestic electrical contractors, at a recent Dublin awards ceremony. The firm was chosen from almost 2,000 of RECI's (Register of Electrical Contractors) members to receive the regional award. The awards promote and encour
03/04/2009
It has been reported that plans are afoot to remove an historic monument in the town of New Ross to make may for a new road layout and car park. It is believed the 1798 memorial will be moved to allow for an adjoining traffic island, which will facilitate a roundabout that increase the safety of m
03/04/2009
Irish Environment Minister John Gormley has attended the Kilkenny Community and Voluntary Forum Conference in the Ormonde Hotel, Kilkenny. The fora were established in each of the 34 county and city councils in 2000, as part of a Government commitment to promote partnership between the State and co
02/04/2009
Planned schools investment - previously mooted to be worth over €900m - could be slashed in this month's budget, it has been reported. It is believed around 70% of the funding has yet to be committed, only €278m worth of contracts have so far been placed. The Department of Finance is hoping to sa
02/04/2009
A new framework - that will guide planning decisions on the Ards peninsula and parts of Co Down - has been unveiled by the Environment Minister. The Ards and Down Plan 2015 identifies new land in both council areas which will be zoned for housing, industry and other uses. The plan also also looks
02/04/2009
Opposition has been voiced against substantial development proposals in Fingal, which locals say will bring too much activity to the area. Plans have been put forward for a new courthouse, police station and parish centre on the Seatown Road. The area is close to Main Street and North Street, whi
02/04/2009
Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún has called on the Stormont Executive to work closely with the EU institutions to maximise the potential benefit to the local building sector. She was speaking in support of the European Commission's proposal to make energy efficiency and renewable energy investments
02/04/2009
A Fingal TD has said affordable housing provided by local authorities are not serving their purpose. Terence Flanagan, of Fine Gael, said first time buyers were 'abandoning' the current stock, as it no longer seemed 'affordable'. He claimed Freedom of Information documents revealed there was a
02/04/2009
Fourds Ltd, a Draperstown engineering business, has launched a new window blind system with help from Invest NI. The new product is expected to create five new jobs over the next three years. The firm, formed in 2006 by Cormac Diamond, the Managing Director and an experienced engineer, has recei
02/04/2009
A new City and Guilds accredited training course for timber frame erection crews has been successfully piloted by the Timber Frame Skillnet, and will now be rolled out countrywide. Philip Mahony, Manager of the Irish Timber Frame Manufacturers’ Association (ITFMA), said: "The importance of erecting
02/04/2009
A Fingal councillor has successfully lobbied local authority colleagues to sanction repair works at a local housing estate. Rented properties in the Malahide estate will have their windows replaced, following action by Fianna Fail's Eoghan O'Brien. Councillor O'Brien called on the council to exam
01/04/2009
A further €20m has been injected into a Carlow building project, undertaken by a large medical supplies firm. Merck Sharpe and Dohme said the additional funding would go towards the first phase of its new vaccines and biologics facility. The total investment made by the firm now stands at €220m.
01/04/2009
A Labour councillor has lambasted plans for a major housing development in Fingal. Peter Coyle said the 43-apartment scheme in Kinsealy will have a negative impact on existing communities in the area. Mr Coyle claimed the two-block development, which is proposed to be built on the Feltrim Road,
01/04/2009
A predicted cut in government spending will not stall two key bypass projects in Co Wexford, it has been claimed. There were fears that a state suspension on roads infrastructural spending would affect the region, but works on the New Ross and Enniscorthy bypasses will go ahead, according to the c
01/04/2009
There are no plans to expand the amount of affordable housing stock in Swords, County Fingal, housing officials have insisted. The councils housing department has revealed there is currently 34 affordable units in the district. Details were disclosed following a question tabled by Fianna Fail co
01/04/2009
There has been a 50% drop in the number of planning applications received by Wexford County Council, so far this year. Presenting a report to local authority members last month, Planning Director Eamon Hore said there had been 248 valid applications made up to the end of February 2009. This compar
01/04/2009
Twenty four companies have been assisted by Invest NI to explore business opportunities resulting from major investment in the Republic of Ireland on road infrastructure and recycling projects. The companies were showcased by Invest NI at the Civilex/Road Expo Ireland exhibition and the Resource an
01/04/2009
Work is to begin on the realignment of the R294 road in Sligo later this month, the county council has said. Construction will take place between the townlands of Drumiskabole, Union and Ballygawley. To facilitate the work, the council will close the R284 regional road Sligo to Ballygawley The s
01/04/2009
Environment Minister Sammy Wilson will visit Scotland this month to considers whether Northern Ireland should establish National Parks. The Minister is to travel to the Cairngorms in the highlands of Scotland from 7-9 April for a fact finding tour of its National Park. The visit will inform any de
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