Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Ireland Construction News Archive for August 2013
30/08/2013
Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton TD, has welcomed FAZTech Research Ltd's significant investment in a newly created research centre in Dublin. FAZTech Research Ltd. is majority owned by Fugro NV, a Dutch multinational company, which is investing in the Republic of Ireland for the first ti
30/08/2013
Limerick County Council has been shortlisted for an award in the 2013 Excellence in Local Government Awards scheme, details of which were announced today. The Kilmallock Water Supply has been shortlisted alongside Erne Valley Water Scheme Partnership (Cavan County Council) and Shanganagh Bray Main
30/08/2013
Limerick City and County Council has commenced the procurement of Engineering Consultancy Services for a proposed new road linking the Port of Foynes in West Limerick with the M7/N18 at Limerick City. The N69 National Secondary Road currently connects Foynes to Limerick along 32km of single carriag
30/08/2013
The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) has welcomed the significant increase in construction employment revealed in the latest CSO Quarterly National Household Survey. Direct construction employment rose by 6,400 in the second quarter of 2013, with employment rising from 96,300 to 102,700 – t
30/08/2013
Health Minister Edwin Poots has visited the site of the new Omagh Hospital Project. The Minister said he was impressed with progress on the site, which is running ahead of schedule. Mr Poots said: "It is clear that the local hospital for Omagh has come on leaps and bounds since I allocated £80mill
30/08/2013
Sinn Féin Dublin City Councillor Mícheál MacDonncha has said that the scandal of Priory Hall must not be allowed to continue into a third year without resolution. He called on Taoiseach Enda Kenny to act in response to the heartfelt plea from Stephanie Meehan, the recently bereaved Priory Hall evac
30/08/2013
The public have voted the UCD Student Centre as the winner of the Public Choice Award in the 2013 Irish Architecture Awards. The building, designed by Dublin based Fitzgerald Kavanagh & Partners, received 18% of the 12,500 votes cast for the 33 short listed projects. The Royal Institute of the Ar
30/08/2013
Ann Marie McNulty, from Magherafelt, recently swapped her day job as a Careers Adviser for the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) for a week placement in Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) to get a flavour of the different careers within the company. During the placement, Ann Marie had a
29/08/2013
A new report showing the cost of poor housing in Northern Ireland has been published. The report, produced by the Housing Executive's Research Unit along with the BRE Trust, is based on data from the 2009 Northern Ireland House Condition Survey and makes a valuable contribution to our understanding
29/08/2013
Talented 19-year-olds, Gavin Murray and Chris Bailie, who study Refrigeration and Air Conditioning at South Eastern Regional College, have recently been selected to represent the UK at the prestigious SkillFRIDGE competition following a tough two-day event earlier in the year. The talented duo, wh
29/08/2013
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Environment Barry Cowen has said changes need to be made to the operation of the grant system for upgrading septic tanks in order to make it easier for people to gain access to funding. Under the current regime, only septic tanks that fail inspection will be eligible for
29/08/2013
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has visited the A2 Shore Road Greenisland to review progress on the major £50m scheme. The contract is now 26 weeks into a very tight 120-week programme which involves upgrading to dual carriageway standard some 3.5km of the A2, between Jordanstown Road and Seapark.
29/08/2013
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Community Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív TD, has again criticised the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government Phil Hogan for his refusal to use the Dormant Accounts Fund for the purpose it was set up. Dormant Account Funds are unclaimed funds from banks which
29/08/2013
NuTech Renewables, based in Warrenpoint, has benefited from Invest Northern Ireland's Innovation Voucher scheme to produce its patented and award winning solar heating system for the renewable energy market in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland. The Co Down firm's Solar Enhanced Ventilation
29/08/2013
Dundalk Town Council has announced it is to carry out flushing of public watermains in the Bellewsbridge Road areas of Dundalk over the coming weeks. The flushing is scheduled to commence on Monday 9 September 2013. The works will continue at different locations in the Bellewsbridge Road areas unt
29/08/2013
NI Water has commenced work on a major programme of Sewer Improvement Work in the Culcavy Road area of Hillsborough. The work involves laying a sewerage pumping main along the Culcavy Road from the Hillsborough Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW) to the Magherageery sewage pumping station. Construc
28/08/2013
Senator Thomas Byrne today expressed his delight at An Bord Pleanála's decision to grant planning permission for the extension to Ratoath College. Senator Byrne said: "The initial refusal of planning permission by Meath County Council caused a lot of upset and concern among parents, staff and child
28/08/2013
Fine Gael Laois/Offaly TD, Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, has said that a solution focused approach by all sides is needed in the Lumcloon Energy-Eirgrid conflict, which sees the State agency threatened with legal action in the Irish and European courts. Deputy Corcoran Kennedy went on to restate her c
28/08/2013
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has announced funding of £60,000 for the refurbishment of walkways in the Churchlands area in Coleraine. The project will be focused on the Killowen Street/Winston Way area in the Churchlands Neighbourhood Renewal Area of Coleraine, and work will includ
28/08/2013
A total of 19,477 householders have registered their septic tanks in County Clare, new figures reveal. The registration figure represents 98% of Clare properties with domestic wastewater treatment systems, which were listed in Census 2011. Recently Mr Phil Hogan T.D., Minister for the Environment,
28/08/2013
A new Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) will be officially opened to the public at Tim Smythe Park in Ennis on Monday 2 September at 12.30pm. Ennis Town Council entered into a contract with Crawford Contracts Group Ltd in 2012 for the all-weather sports facility, which features a polymeric surface than c
28/08/2013
Education Minister, John O'Dowd, today announced a boost of £10m for schools' maintenance. The additional funding brings the total allocation for maintenance to £47m for this financial year. Speaking about the additional funding, Minister O'Dowd said: "I have regularly highlighted the need for con
28/08/2013
SDLP Councillor Brian Heading has welcomed the progress made by Roads Service on resurfacing work in Mount Eagles. Mr Heading said: "I welcome the progress made on some much needed improvement work in the Mount Eagles area. This work is vitally important to residents in the area particularly after
28/08/2013
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has announced the start of a £95,000 major resurfacing scheme on A2 Garron Road, Waterfoot. The work is due to begin on 2 September 2013, from Glen Road, East towards Garron Point for approximately one kilometre. The Minister said: "This scheme will grea
27/08/2013
Omniplex Group, Ireland's largest Irish cinema chain, has announced commencement of construction on a major extension to the Swan Omniplex cinema in Rathmines, Dublin. The €5m euro investment will provide 4 additional screens, doubling the number of screens to 8, including an OmniplexMAXX giant form
27/08/2013
As part of the Carmelite Community and Priory Gathering Weekend, the Lord Mayor Oisín Quinn has launched the Aungier Street Project Report. The project is a pilot of the wider Dublin City Council Public Realm Strategy which recognises that condition, character and uses of the surrounding buildings
27/08/2013
Vayu has become the first energy supply company in Ireland to achieve a 100% renewable energy rating for all electricity supplied to its customers, according to the latest Fuel Mix and CO2 Emissions report by the Commission for Energy Regulation, the industry regulator. The company, which supplies
27/08/2013
Fine Gael TD for Roscommon/South Leitrim, Frank Feighan, has welcomed an investment of almost €700,000 to upgrade Roscommon County Hospital's electrical and mechanical infrastructure. Mr Feighan said: "This investment is part of major enabling works for the new Endoscopy Unit, which recently got th
27/08/2013
Fine Gael Sligo/Leitrim Senator, Michael Comiskey, has welcomed the news that Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan TD, has given Leitrim Development Company approval to allocate funding of €318,130 to Manorhamilton Community Recreation & Sports Ltd, for the developmen
27/08/2013
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Finance, Michael McGrath, has said the statistics on mortgage arrears provide clear evidence that the government's approach to dealing with the crisis is simply not working. He added that the so-called 'sustainable solutions' being offered by banks are dictated by what i
27/08/2013
South Belfast MP Dr Alasdair McDonnell is working on behalf of residents affected by overnight noise during the sandblasting of a major road bridge in the heart of the city. The bridge at Tates Avenue crosses the rail line and is being sandblasted as part of an essential maintenance programme. Dr
27/08/2013
Sinn Féin MLA for West Belfast and Housing Spokesperson Fra McCann has stated that the Housing Executive suspension of part of the housing selection scheme will have serious consequences for the transfer of tenants from unsuitable accommodation, to accommodation more suited to their needs. Mr McCan
23/08/2013
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has welcomed the completion of work on the virtual shop front scheme in Ballymoney. The Northern Ireland Executive through the Department for Social Development provided funding of £47,300 towards this interim improvement scheme. Welcoming the complet
23/08/2013
Fine Gael TD for Kildare South, Martin Heydon, has welcomed the decision of An Bord Pleanála to grant permission for the proposed phase two development at Kildare Village retail outlet on the outskirts of Kildare town. The expansion of Kildare Village will result in the creation of 380 retail jobs a
23/08/2013
Senator Mary Moran has welcomed the launch of the Quality Assurance Scheme by the Irish Petrol Retailers association (IPRA). Speaking at the launch in Dundalk, Senator Moran said: "This scheme will ensure that motorists receive legitimate clean fuel when they fill up their vehicles at the pumps. No
23/08/2013
Sinn Féin MLA Caitriona Ruane has said that she is still very optimistic that the Narrow Water Bridge will be completed within the current timeframe. Ms Ruane stated: "The confirmation that the Special European Union Programme Body have signed over the €17.4m funding that will make up the bulk of t
23/08/2013
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has announced DOE Planning approval for a 36,000 square metre storage and distribution centre in Crumlin. The proposal for 11 separate storage and distribution units is to be located on lands southwest of Nutts Corner Roundabout near Antrim. This makes it readily
23/08/2013
Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government has launched the public consultation for Ireland's first National Implementation Report under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (known as the PR
23/08/2013
SDLP MLA for North Belfast Alban Maginness has said a report released by the Participation and the Practice of Rights organisation (PPR) demonstrates that religious inequality in housing is still alive and well. Mr Maginness said that the Department for Social Development and the Housing Executiv
23/08/2013
A County Armagh man has been given a suspended sentence for running a waste scrap yard with no waste management licence. NIEA officers visited the unauthorised waste scrap site, located on the Knockbane Road, five times between August 2010 and June 2012 where they observed multiple piles of scrap
22/08/2013
The Wicklow Hospice Foundation is ready to proceed with the long-awaited 12-bed facility at the spectacular Magheramore site overlooking the sea near Brittas Bay. The Foundation has almost reached its fundraising target of €3m (50% of the building costs required for the HSE to come on board to buil
22/08/2013
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing, Dessie Ellis TD, has welcomed an announcement by the Minister for Housing that she plans to introduce legislation to give certainty and security to tenants who are in homes going into receivership. Deputy Ellis continued: "This is a positive step in protecting ten
22/08/2013
NI Water is to carry out work to upgrade the old Ballystockart Pumping Main in Comber as part of their £2m Wastewater Pumping Stations Upgrade Project. Pipelaying work is due to get underway on Monday 2 September at Ballystockart Pumping Station, located off the Belfast Road – which is also being
22/08/2013
A new Quality Assurance Scheme, being launched by the Irish Petrol Retailers Association (IPRA), will ensure that motorists are receiving legitimate clean fuel which will make life harder for criminals, according to Louth Labour TD Gerald Nash. Mr Nash said: "Participating garages must be prepared
22/08/2013
Families have moved into their new homes on Rathlin Island. The 10 new homes were delivered by Apex Housing Association and are situated at Church Bay. The scheme provides the first social homes to be built on the island in 18 years and more than doubles the available social housing stock. The de
22/08/2013
Ulster Unionist Assembly member for Fermanagh & South Tyrone, Tom Elliott MLA, has welcomed the announcement by Regional Development Minister, Danny Kennedy that £180,000 is to be spent on the busy traffic routes through Dungannon town. Mr Elliott said: "My own local constituency office is in Brook
21/08/2013
IDA Ireland has welcomed the announcement that Novartis is establishing its regional business services centre, at the Elm Park Business Campus, Dublin. The centre has been operating to date at the Novartis Beech Hill Office Campus in Dublin. Barry O'Leary, CEO of IDA Ireland said: "Novartis, whic
21/08/2013
Fine Gael TD for Meath West, Ray Butler, has welcomed the announcement by the HSE that a new adult mental health Acute Admissions Unit for Louth and Meath will be developed on a site located at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Healthcare Campus in Drogheda. The purpose built unit will have a bed capac
21/08/2013
Labour TD Joe Costello, the Minister for Trade and Development, has welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Housing and Planning, Jan O'Sullivan, of a €32m funding boost that will provide more than 260 new homes for those in need of housing. Mr Costello said: "I particularly welcome the news
21/08/2013
Alliance Lagan Valley MLA has said the First Minister and Deputy First Minister have a duty to put the Maze controversy aside and provide a united front both across Northern Ireland and internationally. Trevor Lunn MLA said: "Since the DUP's decision to stall the development of a peace and reconci
21/08/2013
Cork County Council has announced that part of the N71 Clonakilty Town Overlay Scheme, a section of the existing water main is to be replaced. As a result, water supply to Supervalu Shopping Centre, Convent Road & Convent Terrace, (areas supplied by Clonakilty Urban Reservoir) may be affected from
21/08/2013
Finance Minister Simon Hamilton MLA has officially opened new offices at Rainbow Communications in a £250,000 private investment by Northern Ireland's largest independent business telecoms company. The expansion at the company's Ballygowan Road headquarters is to house support and sales teams follo
21/08/2013
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy is encouraging farmers, agricultural contractors and other owners of suitable equipment to apply for the 2013 snow clearance contract. The Department would like to secure additional support to supplement the existing arrangements for emergency snow clearance. There
21/08/2013
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has announced that consultants have been appointed to study redevelopment opportunities for the Crumlin Road Courthouse, Belfast. Turley Associates have been appointed to commence work on a Development Study. Announcing the appointment, the Minister
21/08/2013
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has announced improvement work is to start in east Belfast on a £140,000 carriageway widening scheme. The scheme is due to begin on Castlereagh Street, approaching its junction with the Albertbridge Road, Belfast, on Monday 26 August and will last for around nine we
21/08/2013
Justice Minister David Ford has welcomed Mark H Durkan's announcement of DOE planning approval for a forensic science laboratory in Carrickfergus. The £12m capital investment will provide a state-of the-art building for DNA processing and evidence recovery facilities at the current site of Forensic
20/08/2013
More than 200 people attended an information and networking session aimed at connecting local suppliers to opportunities in the construction sector under the Devolved Schools Programme. The event, hosted by the NDFA in partnership with Enterprise Ireland, provided a platform for local construction
20/08/2013
The National Transport Authority, in collaboration with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and the four Dublin local authorities, has published the report 'Planning and Development of Large-Scale, Rail Focussed Areas in Dublin'. The purpose of the report is to assess
20/08/2013
Fine Gael TD for Limerick City, Kieran O'Donnell, has welcomed the news that the international bank, Investec, is to begin lending to Irish homebuyers. Mr O'Donnell said: "The arrival of Investec will provide a shot in the arm for the Irish mortgage market. We are now seeing new competition enterin
20/08/2013
Ulster Unionist MLA Michael Copeland has expressed his concerns at the criticism made by a judge of the operation of St Matthews Housing Association, which operates in the Short Strand area of Belfast. The East Belfast Assemblyman, who is also his Party's Social Development spokesperson, said:
20/08/2013
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Finance Michael McGrath TD has said the silence on whether the banks met the end of June mortgage arrears targets must be broken. Deputy McGrath has called for the Minister for Finance and the Central Bank to provide an immediate update on the progress the banks have ac
20/08/2013
Minister for Housing and Planning, Jan O'Sullivan, TD, has said that she is examining potential changes to the law to provide greater clarity to tenants when a receiver is appointed to their rented accommodation. Minister O'Sullivan made her comments as she acknowledged the work the Irish Banking F
20/08/2013
The Green Party is calling for the opening up of Busaras to all buses and for a second unified bus station to be provided on the Western approaches to the city centre. Green Party Spokesperson on Transport and Tourism Tom Kivlehan said today: "Busaras needs to be opened to private operators and a s
20/08/2013
ESB has announced its support for Women Invent Tomorrow - Championing women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). This year-long program will inspire the next generation of women to choose knowledge based careers, highlight the importance of closing the gender gap in Science and Te
20/08/2013
Transport Minister, Danny Kennedy, has announced the start of a £350,000 resurfacing scheme for A26 Lisnevenagh Road, Ballymena. The works will be from the UR79 Ballycowan Road to the UR 83 Tullynamullan Road and will entail 2.2 kilometres of resurfacing on the south bound dual carriageway. The re
20/08/2013
South Belfast SDLP Councillor Kate Mullan has welcomed the £300,000 environmental facelift for the Ormeau Road. A recent decision of Belfast City Council to approve a Department of Social Development £155,000 environmental and commercial improvement programme for the Lower Ormeau Road and Cromac S
19/08/2013
Rents in Dublin have risen 7.5% over the past year, after registering their fourth consecutive quarter of growth. The news comes as daft.ie releases its latest report on the Irish property market. It marks the fastest rate of rent inflation since mid-2007. As might be expected, the property marke
19/08/2013
Co Cavan-based construction materials provider Kingspan has announced a "solid performance" in the first half of 2013, as the company reveals a 13% increase in revenue to €858.4m (pre-acquisitions and currency, down 3%). The group saw a rise in trading profit of 6% to €55.9m (pre-acquisitions and c
19/08/2013
Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar has welcomed the opening of the N22/N69 Tralee Bypass. The 13.5km scheme consists of dual and single carriageway sections. Work began on the scheme in 2011 and the budget was €97m. Minister Varadkar said: "I am very pleased to see the officia
19/08/2013
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Community Affairs Éamon Ó Cuív has reiterated a call to Minister Phil Hogan to ensure a 100% drawdown of funding under the LEADER programme. Deputy Ó Cuív said he believed: "That up to €60m of EU and Irish funds will be lost to crucial rural, economic and community proje
19/08/2013
Northern Ireland's Transport Minister Danny Kennedy says he remains "fully committed" to developing the railway network across the region. Minister Kennedy made the announcement while addressing a group representing the Armagh Railway Campaign. The Minister discussed ideas presented by the delegat
19/08/2013
Labour TD Michael McCarthy has welcomed an announcement by Minister for Housing and Planning Jan O'Sullivan of a €32m boost to provide more than 260 new homes for those in need of housing. The West Cork Times revealed Mr McCarthy's comments. He said: "I particularly welcome the news that the fundi
16/08/2013
Jimmy Deenihan T.D., Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, has officially opened the N22/N69 Tralee Bypass Road. The N22/N69 Tralee Bypass Road Improvement Scheme is 13.5km in length, comprising an 8.0km Dual Carriageway Eastern Bypass of Tralee Town and a 5.5km single carriageway link ro
16/08/2013
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Community Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív TD, has reiterated his call on Minister Phil Hogan to ensure there is a 100% drawdown of funding under the LEADER programme. Deputy Ó Cuív said: "I believe that up to €60 million of EU and Irish funds will be lost to crucial rural, economi
16/08/2013
Labour Senator, Mary Moran, has welcomed news that more than one-third of the €32m housing fund announced today by Minister Jan O'Sullivan will go towards assisting people with disabilities. She said: "I am particularly pleased that the funding announced today includes €12.2 million for the specifi
16/08/2013
Irish Renewables investor NTR has announced its financial results for the year ended 31 March, 2013. The Company delivered the key components of its three-year strategic plan a year ahead of schedule by successfully building cash reserves and consolidating the group into a slimmer, renewable invest
16/08/2013
Chambers Ireland has announced the shortlist for the 2013 Corporate Social Responsibility Awards. Celebrating their tenth year, the Awards continue to go from strength to strength with a record number of applications received this year. The Awards are partnered with Business in the Community Irel
16/08/2013
Alliance Lagan Valley MLA Trevor Lunn has criticised Peter Robinson's 'weak leadership' as he has appeared to bow to pressure over plans to develop the Maze Long Kesh site, despite the extensive cost to the public purse. Mr Lunn said the decision by Mr Robinson to release a letter from his holiday
15/08/2013
Minister for Housing and Planning, Jan O’Sullivan, TD, has announced a €32m funding boost that will provide more than 260 new homes for those in need of housing. €20m in funding will enable local authorities purchase 131 homes. These purchases will be completed this year and will address the specif
15/08/2013
Fine Gael Roscommon/South Leitrim TD, Frank Feighan, has welcomed the substantial progress made so far on the state-of-the-art €3 million Endoscopy Unit planned for Roscommon County Hospital. "Since planning permission was granted for the new Endoscopy Unit in Roscommon County Hospital in June, the
15/08/2013
Dinny McGinley, Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, announced that he has approved a grant of €106,818 for Comhar Chuigéil in Leitir Mealláin, Co. Galway, to build a new sewerage system on their property in Leitir Mealláin. Minister of State McGinley said that t
15/08/2013
Fine Gael TD for Cork South West, Jim Daly, has confirmed that a solution has been agreed between the OPW and the NRA to address the repeat flooding that has been experienced by the residents of properties at New Road, Bandon. He said: "Earlier this year a group of concerned residents visited my Ba
15/08/2013
The Quarterly House Price Index for the second quarter of 2013 has been released. The report found that the volume of sales has been sustained at a reasonable level for the second consecutive quarter which suggests a tentative improvement in the Northern Ireland housing market. The report produced
15/08/2013
Mr Arthur Magill of Sallybush Road, Newtownabbey, has been fined £400, plus £49 court costs, at Belfast Magistrates' Court for a breach of waste management legislation. On 25 August 2011, officers from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) investigated a site, owned by Mr Magill, on the Sa
15/08/2013
Responding to a statement from the DUP leader Peter Robinson indicating that he is to renege on a deal which would have seen significant investment on the Maze/Long Kesh site including a Peace Building Centre, Sinn Féin Assembly member for Foyle Raymond McCartney said: "We have been involved in ongo
15/08/2013
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has announced funding of £60,000 for new festive lighting in Strabane town centre. The funding will be matched by Strabane District Council and will be used to purchase and install new festive lighting in the town centre, which is expected to cost in th
14/08/2013
Jacobs Engineering Group has announced that it has been awarded a contract from the National Roads Authority (NRA) to conduct health and safety site inspections on the National Road Network in Ireland, and to provide corporate support for occupational health and safety initiatives within the NRA. O
14/08/2013
Belfast planning consultancy, Turley Associates, has submitted and secured five planning applications with an estimated development value exceeding £93m. The two approved plans and three applications submitted were all achieved in the last week of July and the first week of August. Planning permi
14/08/2013
Electric Ireland has announced details of Dancergy led by Mr Motivator at Electric Picnic. Following the success of Dancergy in 2012, the 90's fitness personality is back to power the picnic with a series of Dancergy sessions on the Electric Ireland sustainable energy dancefloor. In addition, this
14/08/2013
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan today stated that agreeing to fracking at present would be reckless and irresponsible. The Minister was responding to the Prime Minister's statement in favour of fracking. Mr Durkan highlighted that no decision should be taken until all facts and scientific evide
14/08/2013
Alliance Newcastle Councillor Patrick Clarke has welcomed the announcement from the Social Development Minister of a £255,000 boost to regenerate the area. Funded by both DSD and Down District Council, the plans announced by Minister McCausland include a portable cinema and a covered outdoor space
14/08/2013
Alastair Pollock, Business Development Director of Phoenix Natural Gas, welcomed the announcement from the NI Executive about the government Boiler Replacement Allowance. Mr Pollock said: "We have found there to be overwhelming demand for the government boiler replacement allowance with many househ
14/08/2013
Sinn Féin MLA Oliver McMullan has said that the decision to deny compensation to customers of utility companies cannot remain with the suppliers. Mr McMullan said: "Since NI Electricity stated that it was not paying compensation to customers cut off for over 24 hours due to adverse weather conditio
14/08/2013
A Co Fermanagh man has been fined £9,000 plus costs for failing to comply with two Department of Environment (DOE) Planning Enforcement Notices at Enniskillen Magistrates' Court today. Mr Aaron Quigley of Inishmore Road, Derrylester, Enniskillen, pleaded guilty and was also ordered to pay a £15 of
13/08/2013
Global wind and solar company Mainstream Renewable Power has closed a deal to sell its 7.65 megawatt Carrickeeny Wind Farm to IKEA, one of the world's largest furniture retailer. Mainstream has commenced construction of the project which is located in Leitrim in the North West of Ireland and it is
13/08/2013
Leading renewable energy developer, Amber Green Energy, has acquired Global Solar Renewables in a buyout which will strengthen the company's position in the renewable energy sector in Northern Ireland. Amber Green Energy has been working with Global Solar Renewables since 2011 as their preferred so
13/08/2013
Fine Gael Kildare North TD, Bernard Durkan, has suggested that the Government should introduce an economic recovery bond to help provide funding for the local authority housing sector. Deputy Durkan added that this would have a number of knock-on benefits, such as reducing the numbers of the on li
13/08/2013
The European Business Awards has announced that ESB is to represent Ireland as a National Champion in the prestigious 2013/2014 Awards programme. ESB beat off stiff competition to be selected as one of 20 National Champions and will now compete for Ruban d'Honneur status in the next round of the c
13/08/2013
Fine Gael Cork South West TD, Jim Daly, has moved to reassure struggling homeowners in mortgage distress that repossession proceedings can only be initiated as a last possible resort, after all other options has failed. Deputy Daly was responding to reports today that banks are issuing letters to
13/08/2013
The installation of 16 turbines at SSE's Athea Wind Farm is now underway, following the erection of the first turbine at the West Limerick wind farm. The 34MW project, which is being constructed by SSE Renewables, remobilised late last month following a scheduled break during the local bird breedin
13/08/2013
Roads Minister, Danny Kennedy has announced the start of a £260,000 improvement scheme on the A26 Crankill Road, Ballymena. The resurfacing began on Monday 12 August and is expected to last for around two weeks. The work will take place on the Teeshan interchange northbound for a distance of one ki
13/08/2013
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has announced the start of a £180,000 major resurfacing scheme on A45 Wellington Road, A45 Milltown Road and A45 Railway Road, Dungannon. The work is due to begin on Monday 19 August 2013 and last for four weeks. The Minister said: "The benefits of this
12/08/2013
Dinny McGinley TD, Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht welcomed the announcement by his colleague Phil Hogan TD, Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government that he has approved funding to allow Donegal County Council to award the €5.4m contract for t
12/08/2013
The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), Ireland's national energy regulator, has put in place new safety legislation for electrical contractors operating in the home. As a result, from 1 October 2013, only Registered Electrical Contractors may complete significant electrical work in residentia
12/08/2013
Fine Gael Dun Laoghaire Deputy, Mary Mitchell O'Connor, has welcomed the progress that is being made on the purchase of the Pres. site in Glasthule by the local Council, which intends to retain it for recreational use for the local community. Mr O'Connor said: "I am delighted with the news that the
12/08/2013
Sinn Fein housing spokesperson Dessie Ellis TD has blasted the government's failure to address record levels of severe housing need in the state, which have grown under the Fine Gael Labour coalition. He made his comments as new figures released this week show the numbers on housing waiting lists
12/08/2013
Education Minister, John O'Dowd, has announced that preliminary work on Phase 1 of the Lisanelly Shared Education Campus is scheduled to begin on-site in the autumn. The news comes with the approval of the business case which will see Phase 1 of this major investment move into the procurement and c
12/08/2013
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has announced that a £115,000 strengthening scheme on U5417 Cully Road at Carrigans in Silverbridge at its junction with the C0224 Carrive Road is set to begin on Monday 9 September 2013. Mr Kennedy said: "This is a significant scheme to strengthen the carriageway i
12/08/2013
Schools across the north will benefit from more than £1.1m in investment in the coming months under the Minor Works Scheme. Education Minister, John O'Dowd said: "Since January this year, almost £25 million has been allocated to minor works contracts with over £1.1million being invested in 41 cont
12/08/2013
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has announced that work is scheduled to start on 19 August on a £96,000 resurfacing scheme on Lonemoor Road in Londonderry. The improvement scheme between the junction at Westland Street and the junction with Creggan Street is expected to take 10 days to complete.
09/08/2013
Creagh Concrete in Toomebridge has won business worth £2.4 million in Great Britain over the past seven months using market intelligence from Invest Northern Ireland. The company, a specialist in concrete products for construction and building, turned to Invest NI for up-to-date market data and inf
09/08/2013
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on the Environment, Barry Cowen TD, says the installation of water meters throughout the country, which has already begun, highlights the need for a full audit of the exact cost of the process to be published. Deputy Cowen commented: "While we acknowledge the installation o
09/08/2013
Fine Gael Roscommon/South Leitrim TD, Frank Feighan, has commended the work of the local development group in Cootehall, which plans to transform the former Garda Station into a landmark community space. Mr Feighan said: "Members of the Cootehall Community Development Group must be applauded for th
09/08/2013
A total of 8,000 more homes could have a new efficient boiler as an additional £6m is allocated to boiler replacement scheme. The scheme offers owner occupiers a grant of up to £1,000 to replace inefficient boilers, with energy efficient condensing oil or gas boilers; switching from oil to gas; or
09/08/2013
Labour TD Kevin Humphreys has urged ComReg to intervene in a campaign by utility companies such as Meteor and Eircom to switch people to paperless billing. Mr Humphreys said: "I have received a number of reports from concerned householders who have been switched to paperless billing recently withou
09/08/2013
Earlier this month a Commemorative Ceremony was held on Spike Island to mark the 75th Anniversity of the Handover of Cork Harbour Treaty Forts. The event took place on 11th July with the principle guest An Taoiseach, Mr Enda Kenny TD. In preparation for the event Graepel Perforators & Weavers worke
09/08/2013
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has announced DOE Planning approval for a new hotel and offices in Newry. Newry and Mourne District Council endorsed the proposal for a 120-bed hotel, over 22 000 sq feet office development, landscaping and car parking. The project – estimated to cost in the reg
09/08/2013
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has today visited Drumkee Wastewater Treatment Works in Dungannon, to see first hand Northern Ireland Water's (NI Water) new natural Willows Wastewater Treatment System, which has been used in Northern Ireland for the first time. Northern Ireland is a le
09/08/2013
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has launched the UK's first ever consultation on an urban stewardship and design guide. Traditionally stewardship, the way in which our urban places are managed and maintained, has been considered separately from the processes of planning and design. However, with
09/08/2013
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has announced that work on the £275,000 resurfacing scheme on the A6 Glenshane Road in Magherafelt is moving into its second phase. Work on a 900m length of the Glenshane Road close to the Carricknakielt picnic area is on schedule and is expected to be completed on
08/08/2013
Labour TD and member of the Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Sean Kenny, has said the inclusion of a link to Dublin Airport in the DART Underground plans would be very welcome. He said: "Irish Rail is hoping to develop an integrated rail network which would allow rail passengers to travel from th
08/08/2013
KCC has acquired the company Elementer, a major Supplier of Specialist Door Hardware and Access Control to the Construction Industry in Ireland. Following the acquisition, Paul Kavanagh former Managing Director of Elementer has been appointed Sales Director for KCC Architectural. Paul ha
08/08/2013
Calor, Northern Ireland's leading supplier of rural energy solutions, has launched the Calor Community Champion 2013. Calor are calling for communities across Northern Ireland to help salute unsung local champions who work tirelessly to improve the lives of the people around them. Calor believe it
08/08/2013
The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan T.D., has announced that he has approved the designation of 8 'Quiet Areas' in Dublin City for protection against increased levels of environmental noise. The designation was made on foot of a proposal made to the Ministe
08/08/2013
Phil Hogan, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, has written to the National Consumer Agency to express concern about the information being provided to the public by some waste collection firms in recent weeks in relation to increased bin charges. He said: "It is inex
08/08/2013
SDLP Minister for the Environment Mark H Durkan has said that grants for the boiler replacement scheme must be brought forward without delay. This comes after the Department for Social Development announced the details of those who can qualify for the scheme today. Mr Durkan said: "When the boile
08/08/2013
Cork City Council has prepared a draft local area plan for the Mahon area of Cork City. The Draft Mahon Local Area Plan is accompanied by a Draft Environmental Report setting out the likely significant effects on the environment of implementing the local area plan. The report forms part of the stat
08/08/2013
East Belfast DUP MLA Robin Newton, a member of the Assembly's Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee, has welcomed the investment of a reported "up to £700 million", to purchase Phoenix Natural Gas Ltd. Robin Newton MLA, Member of the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, said: "I wel
08/08/2013
Alliance Down Councillor Patrick Clarke has said that NI Electricity should consider compensation claims by those who were left without electricity during the snow blizzards in March. NI Electricity has declared itself exempt due to exceptional weather, from paying out compensation to those left w
08/08/2013
Regional Development Minister, Danny Kennedy, has announced the start of a £70,000 carriageway improvement scheme on the B48 Lisnarragh Road, Plumbridge. The work is due to begin on 12 August at a location known locally as Devine's Memorial corner on the B48 between Plumbridge and Donemana. The Mi
07/08/2013
O'Dwyer Property Management, Ireland's leading property and facility management company, has negotiated a major new 18 month electricity deal for its client's property portfolio with Ireland's greenest electricity provider, Energia. The deal worth €1.3 million will see Energia supply electricity to
07/08/2013
Cork County Council is proposing to advance the planning and design of two stages of the West Cork Railway Greenway. Efforts will focus on the Cork to Kinsale and Ballinscarthy to Courtmacsherry stages in what would be the first phase in the opening up of the abandoned lines of the former Cork to
07/08/2013
Irish wind and solar developer, Mainstream Renewable Power, and Japanese Trading Company, Marubeni Corporation, have agreed a €100m equity investment deal which sees Marubeni gaining a circa 25% holding in Mainstream. The deal, which is subject to shareholder approval, represents the largest singl
07/08/2013
NI Water has announced plans for a significant capital investment project to reduce the risk of flooding in the Rostrevor area, County Down. St Jude's Gardens, Rostrevor, has experienced flooding due to heavy storm conditions and heavy rainfall in recent times. Following on from consultation with
07/08/2013
The National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) in partnership with Enterprise Ireland is running an information and networking event connecting local suppliers to opportunities in the construction sector under the Devolved Schools Programme. The event takes place on Thursday 15 August 2013 in the
07/08/2013
Labour TD, Robert Dowds, has called for the introduction of a land bank tax on undeveloped zoned land, which he claims will improve planning in Irish towns and cities. Mr Dowds said: "The proposal by Dublin City Council to tax vacant sites which are being hoarded by speculators and developers is a
07/08/2013
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has launched a public consultation process in advance of the next development phase for the Dwelling Energy Assessment Procedure (DEAP) for Building Energy Rating (BER). The consultation process is open from now until 11 September 2013 and requests
07/08/2013
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Social Protection, Willie O'Dea TD, says there was a dramatic decline in state support for people receiving Mortgage Interest Supplement in 2012. The figures were released to Deputy O'Dea as a result of a Parliamentary Question tabled to the Minister for Social Protectio
07/08/2013
Ulster Unionist Assembly Member for Mid-Ulster, Sandra Overend, has welcomed the announcement of a major resurfacing works package for the Cookstown area by her party colleague, Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy MLA. She said: "This improvement package, resurfacing the area between Molesw
07/08/2013
SDLP Leader Dr Alasdair McDonnell has said that Alex Maskey, the Chair of the Social Development Committee, must clarify the terms of an agreement he says Sinn Fein and the DUP have reached on bedroom tax. Dr McDonnell said: "Last week Alex Maskey stated an agreement had been reached between Sinn
06/08/2013
Coillte, Ireland's leading natural resources company has announced an operating profit before exceptional items of €35m for 2012. The annual results published, also show the company paid a dividend of €2m to the State. Coillte Group turnover increased by €3m during 2012 to €262.2m an increase of
06/08/2013
Terra Firma has reached an agreement to sell 100% of Carmel Capital II S.à.r.l., including its wholly owned subsidiary Phoenix Natural Gas Limited to Hastings' managed fund Utilities Trust of Australia (UTA) and The Royal Bank of Scotland Group Pension Fund (RBSGPF), for which Hastings manages an un
06/08/2013
Mivan has secured a number of major projects with key client Sir Robert McAlpine Limited totalling close to £15m. Both projects require a large degree of off-site manufacture of specialist joinery, all produced from Mivan's head office in County Antrim. The Fitzroy Place project by Exemplar is the
06/08/2013
Deputy Michael Colreavy, Sinn Féin spokesperson on communications, energy and natural resources, has welcomed the announcement that a strategic framework will be published on wind energy projects. Deputy Colreavy said: "Sinn Féin has continuously called for a proper national strategy for the develo
06/08/2013
Electric Ireland, Ireland's leading business electricity provider, has announced its sponsorship of RTÉ Radio 1's 'The Business' with George Lee. 'The Business' is Ireland's most listened to business show with more than 320,000 listeners. The 12-month sponsorship includes in-show sponsorship stin
06/08/2013
Denis Fahy is the owner of Denis Fahy (DF) Construction, roofing specialists based in Sligo, Ireland, with over 12 years' experience in the industry. Denis and his team were recently approached by a renewable energy wind turbine company, Global Electric Services, who were moving into new offices.
06/08/2013
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Finance Michael McGrath TD has said the Central Bank must urgently intervene to remove the dramatic differences in the split mortgage offers being made by different banks to borrowers. At present, a Bank of Ireland split mortgage customer will pay tens of thousands of e
06/08/2013
Foresight and the UK Green Investment Bank (GIB) have announced the investment of £20m into the construction of the Evermore Renewable Energy station. The 15.8MW, wood-fuelled combined heat and power (CHP) station, will be built on a 10-acre site in L'Derry Port and Harbour Commissioners land at Li
06/08/2013
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has officially opened Gardeners Hall in Dungannon. The Gardeners Hall building dates back to the mid 1800s when it was commissioned by Lord Ranfurly as a Free Gardener Lodge for a society of Victorian gardeners. The hall had fallen into dereliction in r
06/08/2013
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has visited Magherafelt to mark the completion of revitalisation work in the town centre. The Northern Ireland Executive, through the Department for Social Development, provided £250,000 for a series of revitalisation projects in Magherafelt which were
05/08/2013
Dublin Labour MEP, Emer Costello, has today welcomed the submission to Dublin City Council for a new Docklands hub for shipping. Mr Costello said: "This is an exciting proposal, with the prospect of creating 3,500 jobs in the Docklands. "Ireland already has an internationally-renowned Financial Se
05/08/2013
Fine Gael Waterford Deputy, Paudie Coffey, has welcomed news from the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, that an allocation of €450,000 has been awarded to Dunmore East Harbour under the 2013 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. Deputy Cof
05/08/2013
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has announced DOE Planning approval for more than 2,500 square metres of office space in the grounds of historic Galgorm Castle. The scheme will bring an investment of £3m to the area with high specification offices and workspace units. These are designed sympathe
05/08/2013
Element Power, the company behind the Greenwire project proposed in the Irish Midlands, has welcomed the announcement that work is to begin on an overall policy and planning framework for wind energy export projects by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte. The
05/08/2013
Element Power has responded to claims that wind turbines have an impact on property prices. The company said that spurious claims that wind farms cause a drop in the value of adjacent properties were being made on a regular basis by a small group of anti-wind campaigners in the Midlands. "There is
05/08/2013
Fine Gael Meath East TD, Helen McEntee, has welcomed a proposal from the Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar TD, to have a one month toll-holiday for HGVs to encourage use of the motorway network. Deputy McEntee added that while securing a bypass for Slane remains the top priority, the proposal w
05/08/2013
Alliance Environment spokesperson Anna Lo MLA has said that the new Environment Minister Mark H Durkan, must consider the options for the establishment of a national park in Northern Ireland. Anna Lo MLA said: "I was very disappointed by the efforts of the former Environment Minister Alex Attwood t
05/08/2013
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has announced the start of a £120,000 major resurfacing scheme on James Street, Cookstown. The work is due to begin on 12 August between Molesworth Street and The Fair Hill. The Minister said: "This scheme will greatly improve the strength and surface qu
05/08/2013
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan today launched the new energy efficient Footprints Women's Centre in Belfast. The Footprints Women's Centre, which has been an integral part of the Colin Glen community since 1991, received funding from the Big Lottery’s 'Energy Efficient Venues' Programme to inst
05/08/2013
Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Fra McCann MLA has demanded answers from the DSD minister on the cases of emergency only repairs being carried out by the Housing Executive. Some of the contractors conducting long-term upgrade work to HE properties have not been able to continue the work because of f
02/08/2013
The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) has warned householders that from August 1 2013, they are legally obliged to ensure that any contractor they engage to carry out construction work on their home, is competent or they could potentially face criminal charges in the event of an accident. Hom
02/08/2013
Brian Hayes TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for Public Service Reform and the Office of Public Works (OPW), has launched the Property Asset Management Plan "Accommodating Change – Measuring Success". The Plan is the work of the Steering Group on Property Asset Management, chaired
02/08/2013
Minister for Housing and Planning, Jan O'Sullivan T.D., has notified local authorities of changes she is making to planning regulations to streamline the carrying out of certain works. The changes had been presented by the Minister for discussion with the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environm
02/08/2013
CITB-ConstructionSkills NI will deliver the 'Building Skills for Sustainable Construction II' project which will train a further 30 local construction workers during 2014 to widen their knowledge of sustainable construction methods, renewable energy and environmental standards. The placement is fu
02/08/2013
Alliance Enterprise spokesperson Trevor Lunn MLA has said that the Executive must do more to help grow the renewable energy sector. His comments follow the announcement by Evermore Renewable Energy that they have secured £81 million to build a biomass fuelled power plant at the Londonderry Port an
02/08/2013
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has announced the start of a £220,000 resurfacing scheme in the Piney Hill area, Malone Road, Belfast. The Minister said: "The scheme will improve the footway and carriageway surfaces in the area and residents and road users will soon see the benefits of
02/08/2013
SDLP MP for South Down Margaret Ritchie has backed the UK government's decision to consider extending the fuel discount scheme to parts of Northern Ireland. The existing scheme established last year gives motorists in the Scottish isles and the Isles of Scilly a discount of up to 5p per litre to a
02/08/2013
Belfast City Council is to roll out a new recycling service to around 55,000 homes in a bid to maximise the amount of waste households can recycle. The changes, which will be rolled out between August and November, will affect inner-city homes currently on a black recycling box collection, as well
01/08/2013
The HSE National Director of Estates has announced that Letterkenny Hospital has been allocated €4.4m to develop a new Endoscopy Unit which will meet international accreditation standards. This capital allocation includes almost €1.2m to purchase new Endoscopy equipment, with the remaining €3.2m a
01/08/2013
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Finance, Michael McGrath, has called for the Minister for Finance and the Central Bank to ensure the banks provide an immediate update on the progress they have achieved in making offers to customers under the mortgage arrears resolution targets announced last March. Dep
01/08/2013
SDLP MP Mark Durkan has welcomed Evermore Renewable Energy's Investment in L'Derry and the creation of 200 jobs. Mr Durkan said: "The Green Investment Bank has now made its first investment in Northern Ireland and has done so in the North-West. It is good to see a productive project going forward
01/08/2013
Fine Gael TD for Donegal North East, Joe McHugh, has said he is confident that Letterkenny General Hospital's massive restoration project will demonstrate the effectiveness of the new Hospital Groups that were established nationally last May. Deputy McHugh was speaking following discussions with H
01/08/2013
Additional funding secured by Clare County Council for its 2013 Housing Works Programme will see an extra €700,000 being invested in improving the local housing stock. The additional funding will be targeted at improving the energy efficiency and comfort levels of the Council's social housing stock
01/08/2013
Alliance health spokesperson, Kieran McCarthy MLA, has said repairing problems with the pipework at the new critical care unit at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast must be a top priority. Mr McCarthy was speaking after it was revealed the opening of the new £150m critical care unit would be de
01/08/2013
Dundalk Town Council will be temporarily partially closing sections of The Carrick Road and The Crescent between Monday 5th August and Friday 16th August. The partial closures are necessary to facilitate resurfacing maintenance works. It is intended that: • The overall works location commences at
01/08/2013
In his first official engagement as the newly appointed Finance Minister, Simon Hamilton MLA visited the reopened Marine Hotel in Ballycastle, which has benefited from the Empty Premises Relief scheme. Over the past year, the Executive has made a number of changes to the rating system including an
01/08/2013
SDLP Leader Dr Alasdair McDonnell has raised concerns over a decision by the High Court to reject a challenge by disabled families to overturn social housing benefit cuts for residents with spare bedrooms in England, Wales and Scotland. Mr McDonnell said: "I am disappointed that the High Court has
01/08/2013
The Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan, TD, has published new guidelines for the public on the use of metal detection devices in Ireland. The Minister said that the guidelines were being issued "in response to growing numbers of reports being received by my Department and
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