Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Ireland Construction News Archive for June 2010
30/06/2010
House prices continue to fall in Northern Ireland, a new survey has revealed. Figures released by the Nationwide building society indicate that the housing market in NI is the weakest of any in the UK. Prices have dropped by 5.7% during the second quarter of 2010, compared to a 1% drop in the firs
30/06/2010
In a statement to the Assembly, NI Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, indicated that her review of capital projects was complete. The Minister said: "The capital review was commissioned to ensure that the investment in the education estate is consistent and supportive of the DE policy Framework.
30/06/2010
The State rail service, Iarnród Éireann is to lodge its application to build Dublin's Underground DART system today. The Underground DART, or Interconnector, has been described as the most important part of the Government's Transport 21 scheme and will see the linking of the city's transportation
30/06/2010
NI Environment Minister, Edwin Poots has said he believes everyone in Northern Ireland will benefit from the introduction of the new Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill. Speaking during an Assembly debate on the Bill, Mr Poots said: "The main purpose of the Bill is to contribute to everyone’s
30/06/2010
Sinn Féin Education spokesperson John O' Dowd has said that it is clear that without an injection of cash by the Executive there will be no new schools built in this financial year as a result of the constraints on the Education budget. Mr O’Dowd was speaking after NI Education Minister, Caitríona
30/06/2010
Plans for the future regeneration of a scenic Co Antrim village, developed using a unique groundbreaking scheme, will be unveiled today. The much-anticipated plans for the regeneration of Glenarm have been developed with the local community, the Department of Environment's (DOE) Planning Service an
30/06/2010
An influential financial advisory company has claimed Ireland will have the greatest recovery rate among eurozone members next year. World wide financial experts Ernst & Young said their quarterly eurozone forecast predicts Ireland will jump from its current position of 15th up to second in terms o
30/06/2010
NI Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has said she is not yet able to approve the Resource Allocation Plans submitted by the five Education and Library Boards. The Minister said: "I have not yet approved the Resource Allocation Plans submitted to me by the Education and Library Boards. Recently t
29/06/2010
The Stormont Education Minister has said that she does not have the budget to fund as many new school buildings as she would like to. Caitriona Ruane told the NI Assembly that she has made decisions on which of the 69 school applications are to get the go ahead for new buildings to be constructed.
29/06/2010
Ciarán Cuffe, Irish Minister of State, with special responsibility for planning & heritage has commenced a focused review of the Retail Planning Guidelines. The Retail Planning Guidelines were published in 2001 and were amended in 2005. Minister Cuffe said: "Since the Guidelines were introduced in
29/06/2010
Empty homes will be liable to the same rates as occupied homes from 1 October next year - with this change set to raise £10m revenue a year. NI Finance Minister, Sammy Wilson, has announced the news after receiving full Executive, Department of Finance & Personnel Committee and cross party support
29/06/2010
Irish Minister of State, Ciarán Cuffe and Transport Minister, Noel Dempsey have jointly introduced for public consultation, new draft Guidelines on Spatial Planning and National Roads. The aim of the guidelines is to ensure that roads planning and policy, and development planning and development
29/06/2010
A Stormont Executive Minister has been accused of failing to deliver jobs for the long-term unemployed. SDLP Regional Development Spokesperson Conall McDevitt has said that Roads Minister Conor Murphy's policies resulted in a mere eight jobs being created in the past year - despite his commitment t
29/06/2010
NI Regional Development Minister, Conor Murphy has announced his department’s commitment to sustainability. Speaking at the ‘Success Through Sustainability’ conference in Newry, he said: "Sustainable development is fundamental to our modern existence, and we are faced with the difficult challenge o
29/06/2010
NI Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has approved the establishment of a nursery unit at St Colman's Primary School, Annaclone. The unit will provide twenty-six places for children in their immediate pre-school year. Research shows that children who have a high-quality pre-school experience are
29/06/2010
The first ever event rewarding excellence in kitchen design, innovation and customer service in Ireland, the KRI Awards, was a special night for Northern Ireland based company, McAuley Kitchens. They scooped the 'Best Kitchen Showroom' award for their Boucher Road, Belfast showroom at the glitterin
28/06/2010
A Co Tyrone concrete and brick manufacturer has been commended for its "innovative" approach it takes in managing talent within the company. Presented with two 'highly commended' awards at the recent Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards in Belfast recently, Acheson & Glover, along with other hi
28/06/2010
The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Emer Costello, will perform a sod turning ceremony today at the long awaited motocross track in Alfie Byrne Park in Dublin. Speaking about the facility, the Lord Mayor said: "I know how welcome this new motocross track will be in the north inner city area where
28/06/2010
A €4m project to redevelop a Famine workhouse in Co Tipperary is in danger of never being completed, according to a newspaper report. An audit is currently underway to attempt to discover how the Tipperary Hostel Project ran out of cash halfway through construction, reports the Irish Independent.
28/06/2010
South Antrim DUP Assembly Member Trevor Clarke has welcomed the announcement by NI Environment Minister Edwin Poots that he intends to refuse the application for an out-of-town Tesco super-store on the outskirts of Ballyclare. Mr Clarke said: "I welcome the announcement by the Environment Minister
28/06/2010
A Co Galway renewable energy firm has secured a contract that will create 10 new jobs. Éire Composites Teoranta, based in Indreabhán, Connemara has secured the €2m contract with the European Space Agency, with Irish Enterprise Minister, Batt O' Keefe due to make a formal announcement today (Monday)
28/06/2010
A County Down man was fined £500 plus £75 court costs and £13 summons costs at Newry Magistrates’ Court on 21 June 2010 for failing to comply with a Planning Service breach of condition notice. Mr Robert Newell of Ballynahatten Road, Kilkeel failed to comply with the notice that required him to rei
28/06/2010
The Patton Group were among the high-profile organisations that scooped gongs at the recent Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards in Belfast. The Ballymena-based company picked up top prize in The Right Place to Work category. A capacity crowd packed into the Ramada Hotel for the gala black-tie
28/06/2010
Works on Phase 2 at Sprucefield Bridge, Lisburn, will begin on 3 July after Phase 1 finished three weeks ahead of schedule. These works on the country bound side of the M1 motorway are expected to be completed by 21 July 2010 dependent on good weather conditions. This follows the completion of work
25/06/2010
NI Environment Minister, Edwin Poots has launched guidance that will help to safely reuse soil from construction sites. The 'Guidance on the Sustainable Re-use of Greenfield Soil in Construction', was produced by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) in partnership with the Construction Em
25/06/2010
A delay in implementing plans for a new building at an Irish medium school in Twinbrook has come in for criticism. SDLP Deputy Mayor of Lisburn Cllr Brian Heading has criticised Sinn Féin Education Minister Caitriona Ruane for shelving the project. He said: "This is devastating news for the paren
25/06/2010
Several construction sector businesses are hoping for a good turnout at a forthcoming Birmingham show that is targeting farmers for new contracts. Irish-based farmers are being urged to use well-established transport links to access the major farm expo this autumn along with their fellow dairy farm
25/06/2010
Investment in construction work on a rural fire station has now led on to the delivery of brand-new appliances. Clare County Fire and Rescue Service took delivery of a new Emergency Tender at Shannon Fire Station today. The new €270,000 appliance, which has been funded by the Department of the Env
25/06/2010
The people of Glengormley are being asked to give their views on proposals for the regeneration of their town centre. The draft proposals includes the remodelling the Antrim Road/Ballyclare Road junction to improve pedestrian access and movement and create a civic space, the development of existing
25/06/2010
NI Minister for Social Development, Alex Atwood has launched the Antrim town centre masterplan. The masterplan provides a vision for the town centre and a strategy for delivering that vision. The masterplan published today states that Antrim has capacity to add up to 14,000sq m of new retail floor
25/06/2010
A major housing development in Ballyclare, Co Antrim will result in the creation of up to 100 jobs in the area, according to a newspaper report. The first phase of the 'Ballyclare West' scheme has been given the green light, according to the Newtownabbey Times. The development will see the constru
25/06/2010
A Stormont junior minister and four Executive ministers are today in the Channel Islands to focus on renewable energy projects as part of the latest British Isles summit. Brian Cowen, the Irish prime minister and the first ministers from both Scotland and Wales are also to attend the event in Guern
24/06/2010
An international panel of experts met in Belfast this week to hear how poor housing conditions are as costly to the public purse as they are to the health of residents. Experts from the fields of health, urban geography, and architecture will provide evidence alongside testimonies from residents of
24/06/2010
Just days after NI's top building sector employers' organisation warned that cutting the budget for new buildings and maintaining the infrastructure would hit economic recovery - it has emerged that several companies owed £ millions by two 'bust' building firms won't get a penny back. The news adds
24/06/2010
Tesco's planned demolition and rebuilding of the aged Northcott Shopping Centre in Glengormley - that was expected to be finished by Christmas 2012 - is now facing a delay of between 18 months and two years. Staff in other stores in the tatty shopping mall on the Ballyclare Road have been told they
24/06/2010
Plans to develop a new cultural village and business complex off Belfast's Ormeau Road were presented to Stormont Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness this week. The Minister met with the community organisation An Droichead, meaning 'The Bridge', to discuss their plans to provide a range of educ
24/06/2010
Specialised stonework restoration on an iconic Belfast city centre building has been singled out for high level praise. Libraries NI initiated the repair works to correct weather damage to Belfast Central Library's stonework and roof. The Stormont Arts Minister, Nelson McCausland - whose responsi
24/06/2010
Problems for a proposed Glengormley store re-development by the UK's top supermarket have this week been further compounded by a fresh set-back. Newtownabbey is proving doubly problematic for Tesco as Stormont Environment Minister Edwin Poots is now poised to refuse planning permission for a new su
24/06/2010
Northern Ireland is a "distinctive cultural experience" for American visitors to these shores. Stormont Tourism Minister, Arlene Foster has cited a number of construction developments that are due to open this year as evidence that NI continues to become an attractive destination for international
24/06/2010
GeoMEM Ltd, the UK based independent reseller of Earth Science software and borehole data gathering and analysis software and instruments, today announced that it has been appointed as the UK and Ireland representative for Devico's Borehole survey tools. Devico is an established market leader in th
23/06/2010
A "cutting edge" course in low carbon housing refurbishment is to be introduced in Dublin next month, following a training partnership between Irish architects and a UK energy consultancy. The course gives building and housing professionals the chance to learn about the practical issues that are es
23/06/2010
Six local authorities are facing independent reviews after the emergence of a number of complaints involving alleged irregularities in their planning approvals. A team of independent experts will conduct the reviews on Dublin City, Galway County, Cork City, Cork County, Carlow and Meath after Mini
23/06/2010
NI Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane has spoken about her desire to see more schools build in the country this year. "People in the sector are obviously aware of the pressures the Education budget is currently under and the significant cuts we have had to suffer especially in the capital builds f
23/06/2010
Two Co Clare community groups are among 30 organisations across Ireland to receive funding under the Scheme of Community Support for Older People. Defence Minister and Clare TD, Tony Killeen has welcomed the allocation of funds to Cratloe Community Council (€2,903.75) and Kilkee Community Alert (€6
23/06/2010
NI Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has officially opened a new play area at Naíscoil Colmcille an Charraig Mhór in County Tyrone. Speaking during a visit to the school, the Minister said: "I am honoured to open this excellent new play area for Naíscoil Colmcille, which has been funded by my De
23/06/2010
HRH The Duchess of Gloucester has visited Fleming Fulton School where, as Patron, she opened a new Home Economics facility. The Belfast school opened in 1957 and caters for children with physical disabilities. The Duchess, accompanied by the school principal, Jeremy Taylor, met representatives o
23/06/2010
A skills-match website is to create as many as 50 jobs in the Irish Republic. The Dáil Enterprise Minister Batt O'Keeffe welcomed news of the new jobs with Internet firm Weedle in south Dublin, yesterday. The technology company, which is based in Blackrock, has developed a free website for users t
22/06/2010
The first phase of a major Limerick Regeneration Programme is set to get underway this summer. Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Housing Minister, Michael Finneran have announced that the programme will incorporate 26 new regeneration projects worth €337million. "This Government is about renewal, whethe
22/06/2010
As part of the ongoing improvements to the sewerage network, NI Water and its contractors will be carrying out work in the area of Harbour Square roundabout and Queen's Quay in Belfast. The work will get underway on the week commencing 28 June for a period of approximately six weeks. The first pha
22/06/2010
There's been a 'new arrival' in south Down's main hospital complex. Former office accommodation beside the existing maternity unit at Daisy Hill in Newry has been completely revamped into a bright and airy space - with the building contract now completed and handed over. The new £500,000 state-of-
22/06/2010
Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley recently opened his department’s new office on the Newtown Road in Wexford. The building of six and half thousand square metres is situated overlooking the Slaney estuary on the outskirts of Wexford town. The building was com
22/06/2010
Clare County Council has welcomed the commitment of €33 million towards the construction of the first phase of the Limerick Northern Distributor Road from Coonagh to Knockalisheen. The funding announcement was made by Minister for Housing and Local Services, Michael Finneran as part of the recently
22/06/2010
DUP Education Spokesman Mervyn Storey has warned the NI Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane not to block or delay key capital projects, which have been identified as necessary. Speaking ahead of an expected announcement to the Assembly on the review of capital projects Mervyn Storey said: "As we a
22/06/2010
NI Transport Minister Conor Murphy welcomed the successful completion of Roads Service's 2009/2010 programme of works and the planned £3.85 million for structural road maintenance in the Dungannon and South Tyrone area this year. The Minister said: "A range of local schemes have been delivered suc
22/06/2010
NI Transport Minister Conor Murphy has praised welcomed the successful completion of Roads Service's 2009/2010 programme of works and the planned £3million for structural road maintenance in the Ards Borough Council area this year. He said: "A range of local schemes have been delivered successfull
21/06/2010
A County Armagh has been fined a total of £30,000 with £75.00 legal costs and £20.00 court costs for non-compliance with two Planning Service Enforcement Notices at Armagh Magistrates' Court. Mr Kieran Burke of Greenmount Property Limited, Bessbrook Road, Mountnorris, was issued with an Operational
21/06/2010
The full extent of an iconic £18m theatre project that is underway in south Belfast has just emerged. Last week as the new Lyric reached the highest point in its construction and was officially 'topped out' the core building structure was completed, with the theatre now 'cementing' its place within
21/06/2010
NI Environment Minister Edwin Poots has marked the start of Recycle Week by calling on businesses to recognise the potential opportunities which recycling presents to boost the economy. The Minister highlighted his recent visit to Crumlin-based Cherry Polymers Plastic Recycling - one of the largest
21/06/2010
Sinn Féin Education spokesperson John O' Dowd has said he is deeply concerned that without an injection of cash by the Northern Ireland Executive there will be no new schools built in this financial year as a result of the constraints on the Education budget. Mr O' Dowd said: "I, like many other ML
21/06/2010
Ten companies from Northern Ireland are travelling today to Buxton, Derbyshire to take part in tomorrow’s Hillhead Exhibition with Invest NI. The Hillhead exhibition, hosted at Hillhead Quarry from 22-24 June, is the biggest working quarry show in the world. The last event, in 2007, attracted 430 e
21/06/2010
Irish Minister for Lifelong Learning, Seán Haughey has opened a new state of the art school building at St Mary's National School, Ballyhack, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny. The new facilities, which comprise 16 new classrooms and ancillary accommodation, was built at a cost of €4.5million and funded by t
21/06/2010
SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie said she has tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) at Westminster urging support for the construction industry. The South Down MP: "The construction industry makes an enormous contribution to the local economy in Northern Ireland through employment and the provision of hospi
21/06/2010
Online auction website, Mr Machinery has added a new category of machines for sale. Alongside its current range of construction equipment such as excavators, cranes, crushers and dump trucks, the website now on also sell commercial vehicles through its fortnightly auctions. The company will also o
18/06/2010
An engineering firm in Co Tyrone has won its first business in India from its participation in a recent Invest Northern Ireland trade mission to this important global marketplace. McQuaid Engineering Ltd in Dungannon has recently supplied its specialised rock breaker boom system to a major global c
18/06/2010
Shannon Swimming and Leisure Centre is to re-open on 3 July after a €1.4m redevelopment. Irish Defence Minister and Clare T.D., Tony Killeen will perform the official opening, which will be followed by an open day featuring a range of activities. The redevelopment, which will to create 16 full-tim
18/06/2010
A new-build housing scheme that would provide homes for hundreds of people on the NI Housing Executive's waiting list may also boost the beleaguered local construction industry. Although there is some doubt that the project may not proceed immediately - in the present economic climate - clearing th
18/06/2010
The performing arts in Northern Ireland 'scaled new heights' this week as south Belfast's Lyric Theatre reached the highest point in the construction of its new theatre, with the core building structure now complete. As the last roof beam was put in place major capital donors, sponsors and dignitar
18/06/2010
NI Agriculture and Rural Development Minister, Michelle Gildernew has announced details of her department's Renewable Energy Action Plan, including a £3million Biomass Processing Challenge Fund. The plan was developed following receipt of the Agricultural Stakeholder Forum's report, "A Way Forward"
18/06/2010
NI Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has announced details of a £630,000 collaboration project that will help local companies to exploit opportunities in the global marine energy sector. The Minister made the announcement at a collaboration workshop event in Belfast jointly hosted by MATRIX, the No
18/06/2010
Siteserv, an Irish-owned utilities services group, has donated €10,000 to Irish Autism Action as part of its annual Corporate Social Responsibility Programme. The company is a leading provider of support services to a range of industries across Ireland and the UK, including construction, civil engi
18/06/2010
SDLP members from Down District Council boycotted the official opening of a new hospital in Downpatrick and opted instead to protest outside the facility. NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey officially opened the £64m Downe hospital yesterday (Thursday). The hospital opened its doors to patients i
17/06/2010
NI Water's Enniskillen depot and South West College's Enniskillen Skills Centre recently played joint host for the annual Skillbuild NI National Finals competition. The event, which aimed to raise the profile of the construction industry by demonstrating excellence, encouraged young people who have
17/06/2010
A County Londonderry man was today fined £150 plus £70 court costs and £28 legal costs at Londonderry Magistrates' Court. Mr Martin Tierney of Folly Cabs, Lecky Road, Londonderry was charged in relation to the unauthorised display of an advertisement at the bottom of St Columba's Walk, Londonderry.
17/06/2010
The 'dedication and commitment' of health care staff has come in for praise at the official opening of the new Downe Hospital. As well as noting how the design achieved a number of awards - including one from the Royal Institute of British Architects for Architectural Excellence - NI Health Minist
17/06/2010
A recently formed UK investment trust has announced the acquisition of Damolly Retail Park in Newry. Metric Property Investments has paid £28.4m for the site, which represents its first purchase after being formed by three former executives from property giant British Land. The retail park was ow
17/06/2010
Clare County Council is asking public and business consumers to adhere to a series of urgent water supply conservation measures introduced as a result of the prolonged dry spell of weather. A spokesperson said: "Rainfall during the first half of 2010 has been unusually low. If this trend continues,
17/06/2010
The port town of Larne is set for an image overhaul in the coming years, according to a new town masterplan, just revealed. The Minister for Social Development, Alex Attwood, officially launched the plan in Larne, unveiling an action plan of some 30 proposals which could take place over the next 15
17/06/2010
The re-use of vacant properties as part of an overall scheme to revitalise NI's city centres has been welcomed. NI Finance Minister, Sammy Wilson - who was visiting an arts exhibition - explained how he was helping revitalise Belfast city centre. The exhibition, part of the Belfast Children's Fes
17/06/2010
Around £39m has been spent by the Northern Ireland Executive on capital investment projects to enhance local sports infrastructure. NI Sports Minister Nelson McCausland made the announcement as he officially opened the most recent example of that investment, the newly refurnished Tollymore Nationa
16/06/2010
There are more jobs being lost in Northern Ireland with levels of unemployment continuing to rise - with the building sector again flagged as losing jobs faster than others. Figures released today, for the period February to April 2010, recorded a rise in the unemployment rate to 6.9%. Seasonal ad
16/06/2010
Engineers Ireland has highlighted the critical role that engineers will play in ensuring Ireland’s future economic success. Speaking at the announcement of the short listed nominees for the 'Engineers Ireland Student Innovation Awards 2010', John Power, Director General of Engineers Ireland, unde
16/06/2010
Up to 100 new jobs are to be created in Co Antrim after the Northern Ireland Planning Service gave the go-ahead for a new housing scheme of 159 new dwellings in Ballyclare. The approval, sought by planning and urban design consultancy, Turley Associates on behalf of the KPL Group, is part of a wide
16/06/2010
Councillors in Cork have voted on a proposed €30m revamp of Páirc Uí Chaoimh GAA stadium. The planned project would see the construction of a new 50,000-seater stadium and a "centre of excellence". A new two-tiered stand would increase the capacity of the stadium by around 7,000. The size of the
16/06/2010
Discounts of up to 60% are to be offered on new homes in the Irish Republic to social housing applicants and existing tenants. The price cuts are part of a housing initiative launched this week called the Incremental Purchase Scheme. Depending on income, those eligible will be able to avail of d
16/06/2010
During a trip to Tokyo, Irish Energy Minister, Eamon Ryan has celebrated Global Wind Day and welcomed it as an opportunity to promote the major progress that Ireland has made in wind energy in the past three years. In 2007, Minister Ryan increased Ireland’s 2020 target for renewable energy in elect
16/06/2010
There has been praise for plans announced by NI Social Development Minister Alex Attwood to provide greater powers to local councils and businesses to improve their own town centres. SDLP Upper Bann MLA, Dolores Kelly said: "I welcome Minister Attwood's proposals to introduce Business Improvement D
16/06/2010
Aspirations for a 'zero waste' society have been outlined at a major conference in London. NI Environment Minister Edwin Poots gave a keynote address on the first day of the 'Futuresource 2010 Conference', which brings together the sustainable waste management, recycling and resource efficiency se
15/06/2010
There's a major water infrastructure project just about to get underway in south Belfast. Water experts from consultancy firm, WYG are set to assist in the creation of one of the largest water mains in Northern Ireland. It is part of Northern Ireland Water's (NI Water) £2.4m project to improve wat
15/06/2010
Substantial funding for a major wind-power project has just been confirmed. Barclays has announced that it has completed £35m in long term funding for a 20 Megawatt (MW) wind farm in Screggagh, Co Tyrone. Speaking about the fundraising, Niall Quinn, Barclays Corporate Head of Structured Finance,
15/06/2010
A decision to adopt a draft planning policy concerning a proposed John Lewis store in Co Antrim should have gone before the Stormont Executive for approval, the High Court has ruled. According to a BBC report, the NI Department for Regional Development transferred the document in 2008 without clear
15/06/2010
The Embassy of Brazil in Ireland is to hold a seminar on residential/commercial properties and investment opportunities in the construction sector in Brazil. Several experts will address attractive real estate and investment opportunities for a target audience composed of developers, investors, fi
15/06/2010
A newly published survey has predicted that cuts in the Northern Ireland public sector will have a major impact on the future housing market. With the NI housing market showing marginal recent signs of improvement and expectations of slightly increased prices over the summer, the Royal Institute of
15/06/2010
A Co Antrim building company has been fined £4,000 plus £28 court costs at Newtownards Magistrates' Court. W J Law & Co. LLP, of Moira Road, Lisburn, Co Antrim was fined for making a polluting discharge to a waterway. On 28 February 2008, a Water Quality Inspector, acting on behalf of the Northern
15/06/2010
A Coalisland man has been fined £6,000 plus £85.00 costs at Dungannon Magistrates’ Court for failing to demolish two large industrial units and hardcored area used for sandblasting purposes and the storage of materials associated with this use. Mr Pascal Quinn of Dungannon Road, Coalisland was conv
15/06/2010
Trench Control, a Co Kildare-based piling contractor and supplier of ground support equipment for hire, is announcing expansion of its sales team in Northern Ireland. Due to the further success of its hire product range, Mike Allen has joined the existing sales team in Northern Ireland. Mike is j
14/06/2010
A major £2.5million scheme to restore the Gatehouse and Governor's corridor at Belfast's historic Crumlin Road Gaol is to commence shortly. The restoration of these buildings will create the potential for much improved facilities for visitors to the Gaol such as exhibits room, gift shop, café and
14/06/2010
The Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin, Kevin Humphreys and Irish Environment Minister, John Gormley will officially open the George Reynolds House Precinct Improvement Project tomorrow. The €3.5m renewal and repair project which was delivered within budget and on time is one of a number of Precinct Impro
14/06/2010
Tool and equipment hire company, HSS Hire recently teamed up with the Patton Construction Group to promote health & safety at the new campus site at Titanic Quarter, Belfast Metropolitan College. The new campus, which will replace the Institute's current facilities at Brunswick Street and College
14/06/2010
NI Transport Minister Conor Murphy has welcomed the successful completion of Roads Service's 2009/2010 programme of works and the planned £1million in the Carrickfergus area this year. "A range of local schemes have been delivered successfully by Roads Service in the past year," said Minister Murp
14/06/2010
The NI Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment has accepted a disqualification undertaking for four years from Mr Anthony Hughes in respect of his conduct as a director of Cavan company, Blueharbour Properties Limited. Blueharbour Properties Limited carried on the business of building houses
14/06/2010
New laws are to give greater powers to businesses to improve our town centres. The NI Social Development Minister Alex Attwood has announced that he would take forward new legislation following a meeting with Department of Environment Minister Edwin Poots at which the issue was discussed. The new
14/06/2010
NI Transport Minister, Conor Murphy has announced the successful completion of Roads Service's 2009/2010 programme of works and the planned £2.8million for structural road maintenance in the Down District Council area this year. "A range of local schemes have been delivered successfully by
14/06/2010
Auction website, Mr Machinery, has announced that Gary Loughran is the company’s new territory manager for the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Gary, who lives in Dundalk, Co Louth is 36 years old and has over 12 years of experience in financial services where he was specialised in Asset F
11/06/2010
A construction industry bonanza is on the way for Co Antrim. Some 500 additional new houses and apartments are being planned for Lisburn in an eco-village setting by the Carvill Group. The will also spend £5.5 million pounds on creating a dual carriageway along part of the Prince William Road and
11/06/2010
Sinn Féin Pottinger representative Niall Ó Donnghaile has welcomed the news that the Department of Social Development (DSD) is committed to seeking to develop social housing on the site of the former Mountpottinger PSNI Barracks. Mr Ó Donnghaile said: "Very soon after his appointment as the new Soc
11/06/2010
There has been a warning that some Irish mortgage holders could see an increase of up to ½% in their interest rates before the end of the year. Ireland's Professional Insurance Brokers Association hinted that at a rates' hike might be on the way. Any such rise would be certain to slow recovery in
11/06/2010
District Councils have been reminded to avail of important grants from the NI Department of Environment to maximise recycling. Minister Edwin Poots has highligthed his department's £3.13m 'Rethink Waste Fund'. He said the initiative will make grants available to local councils for schemes, which w
11/06/2010
A busy main route into Belfast city centre is facing disruption this summer. Northern Ireland Roads Service has announced plans to carry out major maintenance work at the M3 Lagan Bridge. To facilitate the works a series of lane closures will be put in place at weekends beginning on 20 June and co
11/06/2010
A Co Fermanagh building sector supplier is getting some 'Dutch Courage', with news of a contract in The Netherlands, potentially worth £2m. NI Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster announced that Erne Extrusions has secured the lucrative deal, which is good news for the lakeland county company. It alre
11/06/2010
Foundation degrees can play a vital role in equipping Northern Ireland with a highly-skilled and demand-led workforce. That was the message from Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, as he launched a new Foundation Degree in Civil Engineering & Transport, which has been developed through
11/06/2010
Maximum rent supplements limits are to be reduced by up to 36% for tenants who are entering into new leases or renewing leases, RTÉ has reported. However, the supplements for single people are to remain largely untouched. Minister for Social Protection Eamon Ó Cuiv said the reductions were designe
10/06/2010
A major construction project in docklands Dublin has been 'given the bird'. The news that An Bord Pleanála has rejected the Dublin Port Company's application to infill a large area of land was revealed this week. The project aimed to develop over 95 acres of the inner bay of Dublin but the Bord sa
10/06/2010
The Irish economic crisis is a result of the Government's "over-reliance" on the property market. Sinn Féin Finance Spokesperson, Arthur Morgan made the claim after the announcement by the Tánaiste, Mary Coughlan that the Dáil will schedule a motion of confidence in the Taoiseach Brain Cowen. "The
10/06/2010
A new town centre that straddles the border of counties Dublin and Wicklow has been approved by An Bord Pleanála, according to a newspaper report. The €2 billion development will include 900 homes, a hotel, leisure facilities, offices, a cinema, bars and more than 100 new shops, the Irish Time repo
10/06/2010
Daily traffic delays suffered on a busy stretch of Co Antrim road have been slammed. Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs Jnr has claimed that a bottleneck caused by the 2.35km stretch of single carriageway wouldn't happen anywhere else. He was speaking during a Stormont adjournment debate on the propose
10/06/2010
Donegal County Council has announced free architectural tours of the vernacular buildings of Gola Island. The tours, which will take place from Friday June 11 to Sunday June 13, are being organised by the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society in conjunction with the Gola Development Committee. Th
10/06/2010
Ulster Unionist MLA for Lagan Valley, Basil McCrea, has labelled as "deplorable" the delay around the proposed John Lewis development at Sprucefield, Co Antrim. He said: "This is totally unacceptable, particularly in the current climate. We should be facilitating investment, but instead it seems th
10/06/2010
NI Finance Minister, Sammy Wilson has visited the construction site at the Belfast Boys' Model and the Belfast Model School for Girls, which are both in north Belfast. Minister Wilson said: "The construction of these new school buildings is a clear illustration of what can be achieved with the rig
10/06/2010
NI Regional Development Minister, Conor Murphy has officially opened an award-winning £13.5million Wastewater Treatment Works in Enniskillen. The state-of-the-art facility is designed to cater for a population of 35,000 and will ensure the latest environment agency standards and the Urban Wastewat
09/06/2010
Fewer than 10,000 homes could be built in Ireland this year, according to a new report. Figures released by the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) show that to 4,925 new Irish homes have been completed in the first four months of the year – a sharp decline from the 10,041 built during the same
09/06/2010
A towering crane that has been a part of the Belfast skyline for almost two years at the side of the Lagan at the Obel Tower site is to be dismantled. The crane was raised at the end of July 2008 and came into operation on 1 August as construction on the superstructure began. The tallest crane in
09/06/2010
A much-anticipated rural road scheme has been outlined in more detail - although finance has not yet been confirmed. The NI Transport Minister Conor Murphy announced the preferred route for the proposed A29 Cookstown Bypass. The Minister said: "This project will provide significant benefits in ter
09/06/2010
An MLA has slammed on-going delays that are preventing the launch of a major John Lewis store in Northern Ireland. Ulster Unionist Finance Spokesperson David McNarry has said that preventing such retail chains from locating to Northern Ireland is "no way to combat our economic woes". Speaking afte
09/06/2010
A new research facility at Queen's University, Belfast (QUB) has been officially welcomed. NI Enterprise Minister, Arlene Foster has opened Ansin, a state-of-the-art research facility, established within QUB's School of Mathematics and Physics, which will focus on the development of advanced materi
09/06/2010
Six additional County Clare schools have been approved funding under the Summer Works Scheme 2010. Minister of Defence and Clare T.D., Tony Killeen said the three Primary and three Secondary schools have successfully secured grants to undertake small-scale works following respective appeals to the
09/06/2010
Irish Minister of Defence, Tony Killeen has confirmed that the Department of Education and Skills has given its approval for detailed design documents to be drawn up and planning permission sought for the proposed new Ennis National School. The Clare T.D. said: "Minister Mary Coughlan informed me t
09/06/2010
NI Transport Minister Conor Murphy has welcomed the successful completion of Roads Service's 2009/2010 programme of works and the planned £1.6million for structural road maintenance in the Cookstown area this year. "This week I announced the preferred route for the A29 Cookstown Bypass," he said.
08/06/2010
Some £11bn was spent on NI's public services last year - with much of the money going on construction projects. That's according to Stormont Finance Minister, Sammy Wilson, who has revealed that there was a growth in spending by local government departments of 8.6% last year, equating to over £863m
08/06/2010
The construction sector in Northern Ireland will be amongst the beneficiaries of a heritage lottery fund. Almost £750,000 is to be given to help preserve Northern Ireland's heritage, according to a BBC report. £250,000 will go towards providing 28 job placements in construction - with builders and
08/06/2010
There's to be a new food superstore built in Co Antrim as the Co-op rebuilds an existing outlet. Construction jobs and many permanent positions are to flow from the NI Environment Minister Edwin Poot's decision to give the green light for the development in Larne. The multi-million pound project
08/06/2010
A public inquiry into a controversial department store plan near Lisburn has been put back until the Autumn. Over six years since the plan was first mooted, the probe aims to look into the proposals for a flagship John Lewis store. However, it opened on Monday only to be adjourned on its first day
08/06/2010
A Co Armagh company has secured new business in Switzerland with advice and support from Invest Northern Ireland. The new contract, which is worth around £400,000 to Craigavon firm CM Machinery, is for the design and manufacture of cutting and stacking machinery for lightweight extruded composite f
08/06/2010
SDLP Newcastle Councillor Eamonn O'Neill has welcomed the news that Bryansford GAA's application for new playing fields has finally been granted full planning permission. Cllr O’Neill said: "This is fantastic news for Bryansford club and is long overdue. The delay in this decision was unnecessary a
08/06/2010
Energy prices could be reduced for consumers through the co-ordinated bulk purchase of energy on behalf of multiple customers. The news has been welcomed by Mid-Ulster UUP Assemblyman Billy Armstrong who was commenting on a report - 'People Power' - carried out by the NI Housing Executive, Consumer
08/06/2010
There is to be an appeal after a heavy fine was imposed on NI Water following pollution. A pollution incident at Laurelvale Sewage Pumping Station back in October 2008 left the official utility provider NI Water out-of-pocket. However, NI Water has said the £15,000 fine "does not reflect the natur
07/06/2010
Irish Transport Minister, Noel Dempsey recently opened the M3 Clonee to North of Kells Motorway Scheme. This scheme is the largest single road project ever to be constructed in Ireland. It provides a total of 110 km of new public roads and a further 34km of access roads. Minister Dempsey said: "T
07/06/2010
A public inquiry into proposals for a flagship John Lewis store in Co Down will open on Monday but is expected to be adjourned, according to the BBC. Opponents of the proposed retail expansion at Sprucefield, near Lisburn, won the right to mount a new legal challenge on Friday. Rival traders claim
07/06/2010
NI Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, has announced four reappointments to the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) ConstructionSkills NI. CITB ConstructionSkills NI is the only remaining statutory training board in Northern Ireland. Its purpose is to encourage adequate trainin
07/06/2010
Councillors in Limerick have reacted angrily to the news their objections to the proposal of the introduction of water charges would be "ignored", a local newspaper has reported. Councillor Diarmuid Scully compared Environment Minister John Gormley, whose spokesperson said their objection to water
07/06/2010
NI Social Development Minister Alex Attwood was reminded that ‘home is where the heart is’, when he met one of Belfast’s oldest citizens earlier today. The Minister met with St Finnian’s House resident, Mrs Ellen Lawther, who recently celebrated her 101st birthday, at the launch of Abbeyfield Week
07/06/2010
A masterplan for the regeneration of Larne town centre has been unveiled. NI Social Development Minister, Alex Attwood said that the masterplan document sets out proposals for redeveloping three main areas of the town centre; the town core, the Waterfront area next to Larne Lagoon and Riverdale at
07/06/2010
The Irish Tánaiste and Education Minister, Mary Coughlan was on hand recently to open two news schools in Co Donegal as part of the €579m investment in this year's school building programme Ms Coughlan opened the new €850,000 Scoil Náisiúnta Taobhóige in Cloghan. The school consists of three class
04/06/2010
Midsummer's Day bears few attractions for staff in a major construction sector firm. Workers will be informed on June 21 as to whether or not they will lose their jobs at Northstone which is thought to be planning to lay off up to 30 workers. The decline in workload in the construction industry ha
04/06/2010
Ten construction, professional services and engineering companies are taking part in an Invest Northern Ireland initiative to explore opportunities in Poland. Around £20 billion is expected to be spent on infrastructure and sports venues in Poland, which is co-hosting the European Football Champion
04/06/2010
The new M3 motorway will be officially opened this morning - two months ahead of schedule. The National Roads Authority said the new road, which has cost €1bn to build and has two tolls, could reduce off the peak journey-times between Dublin and Cavan by an hour. The routing of the road through th
04/06/2010
A major Co Fermanagh leisure complex has been given a makeover with the first part of Enniskillen's Lakeland Forum refurbishment just completed. McAleer and Teague, of Dromore carried out the contract which was designed by architects Mullarkey and Pedersen - who also designed the Waterways Ireland
04/06/2010
NI Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy has opened the new Deep Water Quay at Warrenpoint Harbour in Co Down. Cutting the ceremonial ribbon at the new facility the Minister said: "The port at Warrenpoint plays a key role in servicing industry, retail and commerce along the eastern seaboard of
04/06/2010
There's to be a new group to tackle greenhouse gas emissions for Northern Ireland. The Stormont Environment Minister Edwin Poots revealed that he is to chair the organisation after he made the announcement of its formation. He also issued a positive response to the NI Environment Committee's recen
04/06/2010
A social housing scheme in Belfast was built without planning permission and remains empty almost a year after their completion, according to a BBC report. The £1m apartment block, funded mostly by the taxpayer, was built on edge of the Gas Works site near the Markets area in the city. The owners
04/06/2010
Belfast-born actor Kenneth Branagh has offered his backing to a theatre that is currently under redevelopment in the city. The Lyric Theatre is nearing a crucial deadline as it continues its fundraising attempts. In 2009, US-based Kresge Foundation pledged a donation of £500,000 to the rebuilding
03/06/2010
Jobs are set to flow from a major Irish building construction project just announced. Irish Tánaiste and Education Minister, Mary Coughlan has revealed that the contract for the provision of six new schools had been signed with Macquarie Partnerships for Ireland (MPFI). The construction period wi
03/06/2010
The local construction sector is expected to contract even more over the coming months. On foot of news that the overall Northern Ireland economy is expected to grow at a slower rate than previously thought, it has emerged that builders will see their business reduced by -1.7% this year. Some cons
03/06/2010
A revolutionary concept has been unveiled for the future of the town of Dungannon. To include a light public transport system, a retail/leisure orientated development at Market Square promoting 'evening economy' and an underground car park at Scotch Street, the scheme could well become a reality fo
03/06/2010
A Northern Ireland builder has proved to be 'streets ahead' of the competition. Stormont Social Development Minister, Alex Attwood has congratulated Farrans (Construction) Ltd, on their latest award for their work on the 'Belfast Streets Ahead' project. The national Silver award, from the Consid
03/06/2010
South Belfast Alliance MLA, Anna Lo has said she is pleased that work on a new park-and-ride facility in the Cairnshill area is almost completed and she called on the Department for Regional Development to get it up and running as soon after completion as possible. The site, which will be able to
03/06/2010
Northern Ireland Water (NI Water) has announced the planned closure of the A2 Shore Road/Portavogie Road near Ballyhalbert from 7th June for a period of 4 weeks. NI Water have said the move is an "unavoidable measure" in order to lay pipe-work safely through a narrow stretch of roadway. The road
03/06/2010
NI Transport Minister Conor Murphy has welcomed the successful completion of Roads Service's 2009/2010 programme of works and the planned £3.6million for structural road maintenance in the Ballymena area this year. "A range of local schemes have been delivered successfully by Roads Service in the p
03/06/2010
The newly elected Lord Mayor of Belfast, Cllr Pat Convery has spoken of the benefits of redevelopment across the city. Mr Convery said he would work for a "safe, clean, united and prosperous city". Speaking about his appointment, he said: "In the current economic climate no city will escape the ra
02/06/2010
Unemployed construction workers will be amongst those to benefit after Irish Tánaiste Mary Coughlan announced 6,589 training places are to be made available under the Labour Market Activation Fund, 2010. Some €20million has been ring-fenced to provide the courses in a range of different locations t
02/06/2010
Revised planning guidelines for building in rural areas have been published by Northern Ireland Environment Minister, Edwin Poots. The final version of Planning Policy Statement 21 'Sustainable Development in the Countryside' (PPS 21), replaces draft PPS21 that has been in effect since November 200
02/06/2010
A group of sub-contractors are to protest at Dublin Airport today claiming that they are owed €4m for work on the new terminal, RTÉ has reported. The T2 Sub-contractors' Group claim they were not paid for extra work on the new terminal that arose because of project delays. A Dublin Airport Authori
02/06/2010
One of NI's top grocery groups is to use some of its recession-beating profits to expand - and stimulate the beleaguered construction sector at the same time. Co Antrim's Henderson Group will this year invest £33m from its £500m turnover in expansion and refurbishment plans to drive future growth.
02/06/2010
The European headquarters of a global space technology firm that makes components for the aerospace industry has been 'launched' in Dublin. Irish Enterprise Minister, Batt O'Keeffe was on hand to open AMPAC-ISP's new space technology development and manufacturing centre in Dublin to develop and bui
02/06/2010
A recent £65m investment in social housing in Northern Ireland has safeguarded over 1,000 jobs in construction and building supplies, Fold Housing Association has announced. Work has already started on 400 new homes in west Belfast, Derry, Newtownards and Comber in a partnership between Fold, the N
02/06/2010
Fresh proposals that include options to bring forward the construction of a new maternity unit for Belfast by up to five years have been revealed. The review is now underway to examine the best clinical use of part of the new Critical Care building in Belfast, which is presently under construction.
02/06/2010
Acara Concepts Ltd - the Irish and UK distributor of Phonewell - is an award winning, unrivalled, eco-friendly acoustic insulation product. The company is now widely promoting its Phonewell product as a very versatile sound proofing product that is only 15mm thick. It is an ecological board to
01/06/2010
The Response Group, one of Ireland's leading water and wastewater treatment companies, has been awarded a long-term contract to operate and maintain the major assets of the Limerick Main Drainage Scheme. The firm will deliver the services as part of a consortium it has formed with Severn Trent.
01/06/2010
Belfast-based civil and structural engineering firm Doran Consulting has won the prestigious ICE National Communication Competition in Birmingham, beating 36 teams from all over the UK. Organised by the Institution of Civil Engineers, the competition is aimed at under 35 year olds for developing
01/06/2010
Taoiseach, Brian Cowan, was on hand recently to open the final section of the new Dublin to Cork motorway. The project cost €500m to complete and has been under construction for three years. The road will bypass the towns of Abbeyleix, Durrow and Cullahill, enabling motorists to shorten their jour
01/06/2010
The Irish Minister for Labour Affairs and Public Service Transformation, Dara Calleary has launched the new SMP20 (Safety Management Pack) for small construction contractors. The Construction Safety Partnership has produced SMP 20, specifically to help small contractors establish and maintain an
01/06/2010
A company that has supplied Ireland with natural gas for almost 30 years is set to apply for permission to store 1bn cubic metres of gas in depleted natural gas reservoirs 40km south of Cork Harbour, according to RTÉ. PSE Kinsale Energy says the project would involve an investment of between €400m
01/06/2010
Northern Ireland Water (NI Water) is scheduled to commence essential sewer replacement work in Omagh today. The work, which represents an investment of almost £2m by NI Water, will involve the installation of sewers along Tamlaght Road, Clontarf Drive, Mullaghmena Park, Great Northern Road and also
01/06/2010
For the first time in Northern Ireland, domestic electricity users are to have a choice of suppliers. Dublin-based firm, Airtricity is to compete with NIE Energy – the first time a supplier has entered the local sector since the market opened to competition in 2007. Airtricity has said it expects
01/06/2010
All Your Tiling & Plumbing Needs is a Co Clare-based bathroom refurbishment company. The firm can add potential value to a property by providing a professional service with the best advice in renovating existing bathroom, en-suite or even installing a completely new bathroom in a home. From bathro
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