Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Ireland Construction News Archive for July 2015
31/07/2015
The publication of the National Housing Statement has been described as 'important' by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI). Published by the Housing Agency, the SCSI said the statement 'underlined' the need for accurate market data and analysis on housing needs to inform policy. Key
31/07/2015
The Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) together with KKR Credit has announced the launch of a new €500 million joint venture (JV). The JV will transform the funding options available to the Irish house building sector and will be capable of financing the construction of over 11,000 new homes
31/07/2015
The US-based company Amneal Pharmaceuticals has purchased a 200,000 sq ft facility in Cashel, Co Tipperary. Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton TD made the announcement today Friday 31 July. The former Johnson & Johnson plant was sold by owner Solidus Private Equity. The s
31/07/2015
The Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) has announced it will make a 'significant' investment in the council area of Antrim and Newtownabbey. The NIHE will support the delivery of new homes, along with investing £16 million in upgrading and maintaining its properties. It will also support pe
31/07/2015
Facebook has been granted planning permission for a €200 million data centre in Co Meath. The data centre campus will be developed in two phases over ten years, located on a landscaped 220 acre site in Clonee. Approval was granted by Meath County Council. County council chairman Brian Fitzgerald
31/07/2015
Irish Water has approved a €313,000 investment to upgrade wastewater treatment plants in Baile An Fheirtéarigh (Ballyferriter) and Castlegregory. The current plants are overloaded and unable to adequately treat wastewater, particularly during the tourist season. Irish Water is working on the desig
30/07/2015
Two Office of Public Works (OPW) parks have scooped the Green Flag Award for 2015. St. Stephen's Green Park and Grangegorman Military Cemetery were awarded the Green Flags together with other parks in the Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council areas at a ceremony in Antrim Castle Gardens and
30/07/2015
Over 60% of the buildings on the Aran Islands in Ireland are now energy efficient. 353 homes and community buildings, representing two-thirds of buildings on the Islands, have completed energy upgrades with support from the Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland (SEAI). A trial of Electric Vehicles
30/07/2015
People in L'Derry are being called to sign a petition to upgrade the Caw Roundabout. The online petition, signed by over 700 people in its first week, was set up following safety concerns at the Caw Roundabout. SDLP Councillor Martin Reilly said: "To demonstrate the strength of public feeling on t
30/07/2015
The Electricity Supply Board (ESB) has taken over the responsibility for the operation, maintenance and development of the charge point network for electric vehicles users in Northern Ireland from today, 30 July. The move follows successful completion of the installation of a network of 334 public
30/07/2015
NI Water is continuing to work on a sewer scheme in south Belfast. The work, on the Ravenhill Road, is currently underway under a temporary traffic light system, which is in place between Park Road and Cherryvale Playing Fields. Traffic management arrangements will be in place during July and Augu
30/07/2015
The new Department of Social Protection Intreo Centre in Dublin has officially opened. The centre on Cork Street is an amalgamation of a number of social welfare and community welfare offices in Dublin 2, 4 and 8. It is a one-stop shop where, for the first time, jobseekers living in these areas ca
30/07/2015
Fianna Fáil has hit out at the Government for attempting to hide information held by the Department of the Taoiseach about the state of Irish Water. The party had submitted a Freedom of Information (FoI) request to the Department of the Taoiseach seeking all briefing notes and agreed actions from
30/07/2015
Sinn Féin is calling for more money to be invested in the building, buying and renovation of social housing in Ireland. The party made the call after the report by the Housing Agency highlighted that there was sufficient land available for development to meet demand. Sinn Féin Dublin City Councill
29/07/2015
Irish Water is to invest €3.6 million to replace water mains in Monaghan Town and Clones to improve water supply for 8,000 customers. Working with Monaghan County Council, the water utility has carried out an assessment of the water mains in both towns to identify the parts of the water supply net
29/07/2015
New film and TV studios are to be developed at the former Dell site in County Limerick. The agreement will improve Ireland's reputation as a world class location for audio visual production. The Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys TD, said: "I would like to congratulat
29/07/2015
The newly expanded Industrial Info Resources office has officially opened in Galway. The premises in Ballybrit has been designated as the company’s international hub, with responsibility for all markets outside the Americas. A number of new initiatives that include expanding its market coverage f
29/07/2015
Up to £30 million funding has been pledged to support the continued growth of Belfast's Gaeltacht Quarter. Councillor Niall Ó Donnghaile has welcomed the announcement. He said: "£21 million of that is already been secured or offered to fund major projects throughout the Gaeltacht Quarter includin
29/07/2015
The Government has been slammed for "throwing away taxpayers money" following the establishment of Irish Water. Sinn Féin Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh said the setting up of the firm is an "absolute shambles" and the money should have been invested in proper infrastructure and upgrading of water a
29/07/2015
ESB has confirmed Ms Ellvena Graham has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the firm. The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Mr. Alex White, TD, has asked Ms Graham to make herself available to attend a meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport and Communic
29/07/2015
Permanent TSB has announced it is to provide redress to customers unfairly moved off tracker mortgages. Sinn Féin Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty TD has welcomed the move. Deputy Doherty has accused the Minister of Finance Michael Noonan of sitting on his hands while people lost their homes de
29/07/2015
Fianna Fáil said Eurostat's ruling is "even worse" than previously predicted. The party's spokesperson for Environment, Barry Cowen, said the agency has raised serious concerns about the establishment of Irish Water. He said: "This exposes Minister Noonan's attempts to dismiss the crisis at Irish
28/07/2015
Taoiseach Enda Kenny is once again being called to abolish the water charges in Ireland. Sinn Féin Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty TD has said reports that Eurostat has rejected plans to keep Irish Water off balance sheet is a major blow to the government. Deputy Doherty said: "Sinn Féin's vie
28/07/2015
The Minister for the Office of Public Works has been slammed for failing to fast-track a number of reports about flooding in Letterkenny and Ramelton. It has been revealed in correspondence to Fianna Fáil TD for Donegal Charlie McConalogue that the OPW does not plan to publish its findings and reco
28/07/2015
Irish Water is to invest €7 million in the Bandon Watermain Sewer Network scheme in County Cork. Construction will start in the second half of 2016. The project is a merger of the previously named Bandon Sewerage Collection Scheme and the new Bandon Watermain Rehabilitation Project. By combining
28/07/2015
A total of €3.4 million has been secured to upgrade and enhance 16 swimming pools in Ireland. The grants have been allocated under the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme energy efficiency upgrade and enhanced disabled access initiative 2015. In 2011 €10.94 million was allocated to 56 pools un
28/07/2015
The new Designated Urban Centres Grants Scheme 2014 - 2020 has launched. The scheme, in conjunction with the Southern Regional Assembly and the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, will enable investments in Irish urban centres to the order of €80 million for the period 2014-2020. It will invol
28/07/2015
A £400,000 improvement project on the M2 Foreshore Motorway in Belfast is to begin on Thursday 30 July. Work on the resurfacing scheme is expected to be complete by Monday 10 August. The planned work will take place on the M2 northbound carriageway from the junction at York Street to the junction
28/07/2015
John Thompson and Sons Ltd, based in north Belfast, have signed a Prosperity Agreement with the Environment Minister, to invest £2.5 million in efficiencies which will reduce its CO2 emissions by more than 10%. The firm will also work collaboratively with Northern Ireland Environment Agendy (NIEA)
28/07/2015
The Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) is to carry out External Cyclical Maintenance works in the Barrs Lane area in L'Derry. SDLP Cllr Shauna Cusack has welcomed the work, which is due to start in September. Ms Cusack said: "It was during a routine call on constituents in Hazelbank that we
27/07/2015
SDLP representatives have met with residents over the future of Casement Park. Following a meeting with Mooreland and Owenvarragh Residents Association, Alex Attwood MLA said: "It should always have been the case that the concerns of Casement residents should be not only heard but also heeded. That
27/07/2015
The SDLP has hit out at the Government over its continued pursuit of nuclear energy despite critical safety and environmental concerns. South Down MP Margaret Ritchie made her comments after it was revealed that there were numerous breaches of safety protocol at the now defunct Sellafield Nuclear f
27/07/2015
There has been a major fish kill at the Enler River in County Down. The incident was reported to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) on Friday afternoon. A spokesperson for the NIEA said: "An NIEA Water Quality Inspector immediately visited the area to investigate the report and determi
27/07/2015
QMAC Construction has been awarded a contract to develop the new Rivers Agency's Headquarters in Cookstown. The firm will build the new modern offices for Rivers Agency at Loughry Campus Cookstown, Co Tyrone, which will accommodate up to 85 workstations. The construction contract is the next step
27/07/2015
Sinn Féin has called on the Government to considers buying the oil refinery at Whitegate, County Cork. East Cork TD Sandra McLellan made the call after a meeting between a delegation of workers from the refinery and a team of Sinn Féin representatives which also included Liadh Ní Riada MEP and Cllr
27/07/2015
The Board of An Bord Pleanála has undergone an organisational review. Alan Kelly, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, made the announcement. The Board is an independent body, established initially under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act 1976, which is re
24/07/2015
The Government and Commission for Energy Regulation are being called to take "immediate" action over the high electricity prices in Ireland. Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Energy, Michael Moynihan TD, said the latest Eurostat figures show that Ireland has the third highest electricity prices in Europe
24/07/2015
Over €16m in funding has been secured for social housing in Cork. Labour TD Ciarán Lynch said the funding is both for the purchase of housing units and the construction of new homes. Cork City Council will receive funding of over €13.26m for 78 units and it is also to receive over €3.28m for the
24/07/2015
A farmer has been given a conditional discharge for two years at Ballymena Magistrates' Court. Bill Livingstone was found guilty for making a polluting discharge to a waterway. He was also ordered to pay £19 court costs. On 6 March 2014, a Water Quality Inspector (WQI), acting on behalf of the No
24/07/2015
Donegal has been allocated €2,379,000 in funding for social housing. Fine Gael Minister of State and Donegal TD, Joe McHugh, said the Department of Environment has confirmed two projects have received approval to proceed. He said: "Carndonagh Housing Scheme is to receive €680,000 in funding to com
24/07/2015
The commercial property market in Northern Ireland continued to recover in 2014, according to independent research published by Ulster University. The Ulster University report, developed in partnership with MSCI, a global provider of property investment research, reveals that commercial property po
24/07/2015
A new design team has been appointed to undertake the potential refurbishment of Lurgan Railway Station. SDLP Upper Bann MLA Dolores Kelly has welcomed the news and said it is a first step towards achieving a station in Lurgan that is fit for purpose. She said: "The design team will conduct a feas
24/07/2015
The Minister for the Environment has announced the publication of the 2014 National Litter Pollution Monitoring System Report. The System Report provides important statistical data about the extent, causes and composition of litter in Ireland. Minister Kelly acknowledged the role played by local a
23/07/2015
Funding has been allocated to deliver almost 1,200 new housing units across Ireland. Minister for the Environment, Community & Local Government, Alan Kelly, and Minister for State for Housing, Planning & Construction, Paudie Coffey, allocated funding to Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) for the constr
23/07/2015
A new chairperson has been appointed to the public water forum. Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, Alan Kelly TD, announced that he was appointing Dr Tom Collins to take up the post. The forum is designed to represent the interests of domestic and non-domestic users of the w
23/07/2015
Northern Ireland construction firm Lagan Building Contractors has completed a £2.7m project for Mercedes-Benz in Boston. The project involved the design of a new Mercedes-Benz Truck and Van Servicing and Dealership Centre at Old Station Yard, Sutterton, Boston. The work included a 1,000m2 single
23/07/2015
Fianna Fáil is calling on the Government to publish a report, commissioned by the Higher Education Authority, which reveals there is a significant shortage in student accommodation. Spokesperson on Education, Charlie McConalogue, said continued Government inaction has led to a serious escalation of
23/07/2015
Fianna Fáil is demanding the Minister for Finance publish the Thornhill Report immediately. The report sets out many options to deal with the rise in property tax. Deputy McGrath said: "Publishing the report now will allow a full national debate on the best course of action to be taken. It would no
23/07/2015
Household recycling in Northern Ireland has increased by 0.5%, compared to the same January to March period last year. The amount of compostable materials sent for recycling reached 24,756 tonnes, while materials such as paper, metal, glass and plastic also increased to 46,913 tonnes in this quarte
23/07/2015
A farmer has been given an absolute discharge for a pollution offence at Ballymena Magistrates' Court. On 5 February 2014, Water Quality Inspectors, acting on behalf of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, inspected a waterway approximately 70 metres south of the Frosses Pines and observed heav
23/07/2015
Sinn Féin has called for an urgent meeting with the Environment Minister to discuss environmental policies for farmers. MLA Oliver McMullan said he attended a case alongside a farmer who was taken to court for moving tyres on his own land without a licence. He said: "This has the potential to hav
22/07/2015
Pramerica Systems Ireland has announced it is to expand its operation in Donegal. The expansion plans will create 330 new jobs over the next three years, with potential for further growth in the longer term. The company will build a new eco-friendly office campus near its current location in Letter
22/07/2015
The houses of the Oireachtas has passed the Urban Regeneration and Housing Bill – another step in the implementation of the Government's Construction 2020. There are two main strands to the legislation. Firstly, a new vacant site levy on housing or regeneration lands suitable for housing but not
22/07/2015
The Minister for the Environment has ignored several requests to meet with Dublin City Council to discuss the €18m shortfall in funding for homeless services. The shortfall was revealed by Fianna Fáil's Leader on Dublin City Council, Paul McAuliffe, earlier this month. The Council has since sought
22/07/2015
A Co Antrim farmer has been fined for a pollution offence at Lisburn Magistrates' Court. Gavin Hayes from Lough Road was fined £400 and ordered to pay an offenders levy of £15. On 11 March 2014, a Water Quality Inspector, acting on behalf of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, inspected a wat
22/07/2015
Sinn Féin has accused the Government of "bullying" people into registering with Irish Water. However, SF Senator David Cullinane said people will not be intimidated by the government's threats to penalise people who refuse to pay their water charges. Senator Cullinane said: "This legislation is dr
22/07/2015
Over £1,000 worth of trees planted by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) in north Belfast have been destroyed. Five trees were chopped down in the incident which is believed to be the second time in the last year. Previously, 23 trees were chopped down along the same pathway, known local
21/07/2015
Construction firm BAM Ireland has officially opened the M11 Arklow to Rathnew Upgrade project three months ahead of schedule. This is the final construction stage of the N11 Arklow to Rathnew motorway PPP and N7 Newlands Cross Flyover. The M11 project included the design and construction of a ne
21/07/2015
Significant progress is being made on the new Primary Care Centre at the Grangegorman development site in Dublin. The new centre will form part of the Urban Quarter of the redeveloped 73-acre Grangegorman site. The project is being delivered for the HSE by the Grangegorman Development Agency, the
21/07/2015
Construction work has started on a £75,000 resurfacing scheme in Lurgan. The project on the Banbridge Road will extend from Ballynabragget Road to Ballylough Road. The diversion routes will be via Tullyraine Road, Gilford, Plantation Road and Waringstown Road and will be clearly signed. Transpor
21/07/2015
Aggregate Industries, part of the LafargeHolcim group, has taken ownership of cement plants in Cauldon, Staffordshire and Cookstown, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. The transfer of ownership of the two plants to Aggregate Industries, along with a quarry at Cauldon Low and a cement terminal at Bel
21/07/2015
A man has been fined £5,000 for waste laundering offences at Newry Magistrates' Court on Monday. Francis McGuinness, 56, was also ordered to pay £6,000 in clean-up costs, £255 to Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) for analysis costs and a £25 offender levy. Mr McGuinness was found guilty o
21/07/2015
Energy firm ESB is inviting Ireland's brightest sparks to enter the 2015 ESB Spark of Genius Award. The award, at this year's Web Summit, has a prize fund of over €25,000. The ESB Spark of Genius Award focuses on high potential technology start-ups and is open to any Irish start-up which has been
21/07/2015
A farmer has been fined £400 for a pollution offence at Lisburn Magistrates' Court. Gavin Hayes, of Lough Road, Lisburn, was also ordered to pay an offenders' levy of £15 for making a polluting discharge to a waterway. On 11 March 2014, a Water Quality Inspector, acting on behalf of the Northern
20/07/2015
Sinn Féin is calling for water charges to be abolished. Leader of the party, Gerry Adams, said the Government needs to face the reality that it's water charge is going nowhere. Mr Adams said: "Fine Gael and Labour recently rammed pickpocket legislation through the Dáil in an effort to coerce hous
20/07/2015
The detailed design of a major pier extension and an upgrade of the shipyard facilities on Dinish Island, Castletownbere, is moving forward. The total tonnage of fish landed into Castletownbere has increased by 38% from 25,427 tonnes in 2011 to 35,004 tonnes in 2014. In addition the number of landi
20/07/2015
Over €570,000 funding has been secured to replace the roof of a college in Dublin. Education Minister Jan O'Sullivan confirmed the €572,000 funding for Coolmine Community College is being provided under the Emergency Works Scheme. Leader of the Labour Party, Joan Burton, said the main purpose of t
20/07/2015
Work to replace the water mains in An Cheathrú Rua by Galway County Council and Irish Water is to begin in December 2015. The work is expected to take 20 months to complete. Fianna Fáil TD for Galway West Éamon Ó Cuív welcomed the news. Deputy Ó Cuív said: "These works, which will see over 14 kil
20/07/2015
The Government is looking into ways it can fund the Blessington Greenway project in Wicklow, Fine Gael TD for Wicklow/East Carlow Andrew Doyle confirmed. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohue TD, as responding to a Dail question by Deputy Doyle. He said: "This cycleway or
20/07/2015
Irish Water is €850 million in debt, Fianna Fáil has revealed. The Government is also refusing to disclose the costs of the loans. In reply to a Parliamentary Question from Fianna Fáil's Environment Spokesperson Barry Cowen, Minister Alan Kelly revealed that he has given consent for Irish Water to
17/07/2015
Building work has started on the National Indoor Arena at the National Sports Campus in Blanchardstown. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe, turned the first sod at the site today, 17 July. Minister Donohoe said: "Long considered to be the missing piece in our national s
17/07/2015
Plans have been submitted for the Proposed Point Roundabout Improvement Scheme in Dublin. Part VIII of the application was submitted which includes the upgrade to the Point Roundabout junction to a three-arm signalised junction with a left-turn slip lane from North Wall Quay to East Wall Road, Dubl
17/07/2015
Fianna Fáil has hit out at the Government over plans to sell three garda stations which have closed down. The party said the proposals represent a "raw deal" for communities across Kilkenny. TD Bobby Aylward made the comments after it was revealed that the Government is to sell the former garda st
17/07/2015
Irish firm Energia has cut carbon and costs for Pettitts with 'Cash for Kilowatts' scheme. Energia identified significant savings that could be made from an upgrade to the lighting and refrigeration systems at Pettitts group's stores. Over 2,000 fluorescent lights were replaced with energy effici
17/07/2015
Irish Water is investing €7.3 million to replace 19.8km of pipeline in Galway. In partnership with Galway City Council, the works will reduce the amount of water lost through leakage and improve reliability of supply. Burst pipes, water supply disruptions and poor water pressure, are ongoing probl
17/07/2015
A new crèche is to be established at Tallaght Hospital. The crèche is in conjunction with the new Paediatric Satellite Centre. Fine Gael Dublin South-West Senator Cáit Keane welcomed the announcement. She said: "I have been working hard for over a year at securing a purpose built crèche for Tall
17/07/2015
The announcement that Irish Water plans a number of residential estates as part of the upgrade of the Kinvara Sewerage Scheme in Galway has been welcomed by Fianna Fáil. Initial plans ruled out the Cuan an Oir and Dunguaire Haven Estates, Bothar na Mias, and Ard an Mhuilinn from the new public netw
17/07/2015
Sinn Féin has raised concerns after Dublin City Council approved planning permission for a hotel to be developed on Moore Land and Moore Street. Dublin City Councillor Mícheál Mac Donncha, said it does not take into account the historic nature of the site. Cllr Mac Donncha said: "No independent ba
16/07/2015
Energia has signed a new dual fuel energy supply deal with a fast food restaurant group in Ireland. Energia will provide 20 GWhrs of electricity each year to power all of Supermacs Group's Irish restaurants. Covering over 100 restaurants across Ireland, the deal also includes the supply of gas to t
16/07/2015
An Post has signed up to an energy partnership with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to achieve the 33% energy savings target by 2020 across its 180 premises including main Post Offices, Delivery Service Units and Mails Centres nationwide. With an annual spend of €8.5 million on
16/07/2015
Kane Engineering in Newtownards is creating 28 new jobs supported by Invest Northern Ireland as part of plans to drive sales across Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland. The company plans to double its workforce over the next two years, recruiting additional production operators, engineers, el
16/07/2015
A Sinn Féin TD has questioned the Environment Minister, Alan Kelly, over the issue that only 43% of people had paid their water bills. Mr Brian Stanley also asked the Minister over the fact that Irish Water still has to have its budget approved by Eurostat. Deputy Stanley said: "Only a total of €3
16/07/2015
NI Water is to start work to upgrade the sewerage network within the Donaghadee area at the end of July. The flood alleviation scheme will be carried out in the area of the High Bangor Road, Newtownards Road and Moat Street. The construction work will include the relaying/relining of sewers within
16/07/2015
€6.47 million financing has been agreed by the European Union (EU) for Gaelectric's compressed air energy storage (CAES) project near Larne in Northern Ireland. The project, which has already been included as a Project of Common Interest (PCI) under the EU programme to promote transboundary energy
16/07/2015
A £120,000 road improvement project is to start in Draperstown. The 1km resurfacing work on the B40 Magherafely Road is programmed to commence on Monday 27 July 2015 and is expected to last for five weeks. To help minimise any inconvenience to the travelling public and local businesses two-way tr
16/07/2015
The SDLP has said the committee hearing on the sale of the Northern Ireland NAMA property portfolio should not be hindered in any way. MLA for Newry and Armagh, and Deputy Chair of Finance Committee Dominic Bradley said that the committee should fulfil its remit in relation to holding the Departmen
15/07/2015
Weslin Construction has completed the restoration project at Dublin's newest visitor attraction, Dublin Port's Diving Bell. Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD, officially opened the attraction. Following a four-month restoration project by Dublin Port Company, the orang
15/07/2015
Only 46% of people have made water payments in its first cycle, Irish Water has confirmed. €30.5 million was received in the first billing cycle for drinking water and wastewater services provided by the public utility and 675,000 households are paying water charges. Elizabeth Arnett, Head of Com
15/07/2015
A Sinn Féin Cllr is calling on the Environment Minister to "take action now" and set a date to discuss the funding crisis for homeless services in Dublin. Críona Ní Dhálaigh has written to Minister Alan Kelly to request an urgent meeting with the Minister and a cross party delegation to discuss th
15/07/2015
The Environment Minister has visited a conservation project located on the edge of Enogh Lough just to the north-east of Derry City. Mr Mark H Durkan today visited the newly conserved medieval church ruins which are the main upstanding remains of a medieval church site. Minister Durkan said: "T
15/07/2015
Ireland's energy provider, Energia, has scooped a bundled contract worth over €36 million. The contract is to supply gas to hundreds of state agencies, local authorities, schools, hospitals and public housing projects around Ireland. The contract award will see Energia provide gas supplies to ove
15/07/2015
A new Chairperson has been appointed to the Board of ESB. The Minister for Communications, Energy & Natural Resources, Mr. Alex White, TD, today obtained Government approval for Ms Ellevena Graham to be appointed as Chairperson. Ms Graham has been a non-executive member of the Board since 2010 an
15/07/2015
The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport has launched the M11 Arklow to Rathnew Upgrade Scheme. Minister Paschal Donohue said the new scheme means there is now 90km of continuous motorway/dual carriageway between Dublin and Gorey. Fine Gael TD for Wexford, Liam Twomey, welcomed the launch.
15/07/2015
£500,000 has been secured for six listed buildings in Northern Ireland The funding from the carrier bag levy receipts, will support the following conservation schemes: • Former Derry Cathedral Primary School at Derry's walls, which will transform into a tourism venue; • Former Holy Cross Boys Sc
15/07/2015
The Transport Minister is being urged to act immediately to ensure that landowners along the route of the N84 realignment project receive the compensation they were promised. Fianna Fáil candidate for Galway West, Councillor Mary Hoade, made the comments following confirmation that the contractors
15/07/2015
Contractors have been praised for the completion of road projects in 2014/2015 by Transport Minister Danny Kennedy. The schemes accounted for £13.4million investment in the roads infrastructure in the Mid-Ulster area. However, the Minister also expressed his concern over £ 60 million cuts to the D
14/07/2015
Kilsaran International, has been awarded the ISO50001 accreditation for the implementation of a new energy management system, an award that recognises the continual reduction of a businesses energy use, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and better energy efficiencies. Kilsaran worked to introduce n
14/07/2015
Plans for 90km of continuous motorway/dual carriageway between Dublin and Gorey have been confirmed by Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe. Welcoming the news, Fine Gael TD for Wexford, Liam Twomey, said that it was good news for Wexford commuters. "This scheme connects the
14/07/2015
The Irish construction industry experienced a sharp rise in activity for the month of June, according to The Ulster Bank Construction Purchasing Manager's Index (PMI). The seasonally adjusted index designed to track changes in total construction activity rose to 65.7 in June from 63.3 the previous
14/07/2015
Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Dessie Ellis TD has said new figures showing the level of housing needed in Dublin reveals how the housing crisis is "only getting worse". According to Deputy Ellis, recent figures show 42,000 people are in housing need, including 16,500 children. Mr Ellis stated the
14/07/2015
The new UCC Beaufort building, located in Ringaskiddy, Co Cork, has been officially opened by Taoiseach Enda Kenny. The 4,700m2 five-storey building will provide world-class infrastructure for renewable energy and maritime research. Named after the Irish hydrographer and Beaufort Wind Scale crea
14/07/2015
Funding of €350,000 has been announced for the conservation and preservation of a number of historic properties and national monuments across Ireland. The funding will be provided by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, with works to be carried out by the Office of Public Works (OPW
10/07/2015
There has been a drop in the number of mortgages in arrears in Ireland, according to new data released by the Department of Finance. Fine Gael TD for Kildare South, Martin Heydon, welcomed the news. The number of mortgages in arrears for greater than two years fell by 181 mortgage accounts in May
10/07/2015
PlanNet21 Communications has announced it is developing a 10,000 square feet data centre in Dublin. The firm is to invest €20million in Ireland and the new centre is expected to open in November 2015. Speaking at the announcement in the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, Dara Murphy TD, Minister for E
10/07/2015
A sewer rehabilitation scheme has started in Comber, Co Down. NI Water said the work is part of a much wider project which will identify defects in approximately 26km of Northern Ireland's sewerage network. The project will be carried out in two stages. Stage one will involve investigative and des
10/07/2015
The Government has been accused of "neglecting rural Ireland" over its funding allocation to CEDRA 2015. Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Agriculture Éamon Ó Cuív said only €1 million has been provided for pilot innovative projects which progress the CEDRA remit. He said: "This represents an abject fai
10/07/2015
Sinn Féin is calling on the Minister for Employment and Learning to bid for money now to fund the expansion of the University of Ulster at Magee. MLA Maeve McLaughlin said it must be included in the Comprehensive Spending Review. The Foyle MLA said: "Stephen Farry had previously indicated that he
10/07/2015
Construction jobs are to be created after the development of a further six schools were given the go-ahead as part of the School Enhancement Programme (SEP). The SEP was announced in 2013 for construction projects costing between £500,000 and £4,000,000. The programme is targeted to meet the immedi
10/07/2015
The public are being invited to give their opinions on whether the Local Property Tax (LPT) should be varied in Dublin city. Section 20 of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012 allows the Elected Members of Dublin City Council to vary the LPT rate by plus or minus 15 per cent. The council mus
10/07/2015
A new app developed for Irish Design 2015 (ID2015) in collaboration with IBM has launched. Design Island, which is available for download from the App Store and Google Play, features curated recommendations from design experts and enthusiasts on things to do and places to visit, allowing users to e
09/07/2015
Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) has announced it is to upgrade overhead power lines in Toome, Randalstown, Cranfield and Staffordstown. Around £1.1m is to be invested in the programme of work in the electricity infrastructure. NIE workers have started replacing overhead lines, installing heavie
09/07/2015
Sinn Féin is calling on the Environment Minister to appear before the Dáil to answer questions in releation to an €18.5m deficit in the Dublin City Council budget to deal with homelessness. Sinn Féin Deputy Leader Mary Lou McDonald has described the government stance on homelessness as "nothing sho
09/07/2015
The SDLP is calling for the new roads fund to be used to rebuild the North West, Co L'Derry. Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan said the budget announcement must be spent rebuilding the economy in the North West. He said: "The Treasury must work closely with the devolved nations to implement these changes. B
09/07/2015
The PSNI are to launch a criminal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the sale of NAMA property to investment company Cerberus. Assistant Chief Constable Will Kerr said: "We believe that there is sufficient concern in relation to potential criminal activity, surrounding this property d
09/07/2015
Fianna Fáil legislation aimed at ending banks overcharging customers on standard variable mortgage rates (SVR) has been voted down by Government TDs. TD for Carlow – Kilkenny, Bobby Aylward, has criticised the decision. He said: "During my recent by-election campaign I spoke with many people acros
09/07/2015
Sinn Féin is urging the Taoiseach to protect the 1916 National Monument at Moore Street in Dublin. Leader Gerry Adams is also calling for the removal of the buildings at 14 to 17 Moore Street from the proposed auction of the 'Project Jewel' loan portfolio of developer Joe O'Reilly. Mr Adams was sp
09/07/2015
McAvoy Construction has handed over the keys of a new £85,000 Multi-Use Games Area in Bessbrook, Co Armagh. Social Development Minister, Mervyn Storey MLA, officially opened the new facility today, 08 July. The new facility has been jointly funded by the Department for Social Development and the f
09/07/2015
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) is calling for a constitutional referendum to protect the water services against any future privatisation. Sinn Féin spokesperson on the Environment, Brian Stanley TD, has welcomed the decision. The ICTU conference at Ennis also voted to reject the imposit
09/07/2015
The Alliance Party has raised objections over the development of 600 homes on the Jordanstown University of Ulster campus in Northern Ireland. East Antrim MLA Stewart Dickson said it would be "overwhelming" for the local community. Mr Dickson said: "That amount of houses in a tight corner of the u
09/07/2015
Approximately 100,000 gas boilers have been installed illegally from 2009, according to a new report. The report on the regulation and inspection of gas installers also raises issues surrounding the status of home insurance where an illegal installation has taken place. Deputy Michael Colreavy, Si
08/07/2015
Up to 150 construction jobs are expected to be created after Oriel Windfarm and Gaelectric Holdings signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to co-develop an offshore wind farm in the north Irish Sea. The North Irish Sea Array (NISA) has the potential to produce up to 870 MW of wind energy from
08/07/2015
Dublin Port Company has announced a gas and electricity deal, valued at approximately £1 million per year, with an Irish energy supplier. The agreement will see Vayu Energy supply Ireland's port with gas and 100% green electricity to meet the year-round energy requirements for its operations, which
08/07/2015
Funding of £860,000 has been allocated for a restoration project in Newry, Co Armagh. The Public Realm scheme is supported by the Department for Social Development with a contribution of £662,596, with additional funding of £200,000 from Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. Work will be carrie
08/07/2015
Over £2m of funding has been secured for a regeneration scheme in Warrenpoint, Co Down. The Department for Social Development (DSD) has invested £640,000 into the Public Realm scheme, working jointly with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to regenerate the Church Street, Charolette Street, To
08/07/2015
North Dublin TDs are being urged to stand up against the "rip-off" of Standard Variable Rate (SVR) mortgage holders. TDs will vote on a Fianna Fáil Bill to end the scandal of banks massively overcharging mortgage holders on SVR rates this week. Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Dublin, Senator Darragh O
08/07/2015
A new member has been appointed to the Department of Environment's (DOE) Prosperity Panel. Dr Howard Hastings OBE, Managing Director of Hastings Hotels, is to join the Prosperity Panel, which is made up of business and environmental experts across Northern Ireland and chaired by Environment Ministe
08/07/2015
A Northern Ireland housing association has announced it is to invest £340 million to provide over 2,500 new homes over the next five years. Choice also expects to create approximately 1,200 jobs. The investment will be funded through a combination of private finance and government grants. The plan
08/07/2015
Fianna Fail is calling for urgent repairs and maintenance work to be carried out at Sallins train station in Co Kildare. Kildare North General Election candidate Cllr James Lawless met with Irish Rail officials to raise the concerns of the many passengers who use Sallins & Naas train station. Cllr
08/07/2015
Over £1.2 million has been invested on a number of regeneration and upgrade projects in Limavady, Co L'Derry. Social Development Minister Mervyn Storey recently viewed the works. Minister Storey said: "The investment from my Department in Limavady across a broad range of areas demonstrates my comm
08/07/2015
Building work has started on a new development in Rathcoole, Newtownabbey, for Helm Housing. The new social housing project at Derrfin Park will provide 18 semi-detached houses and 12 apartments for families and older people. The two-storey apartments, eight of which are designed specifically for a
07/07/2015
Plans to develop a new nursery unit in Portstewart have been rejected. Education Minister John O'Dowd turned down the proposal for a 26-place part-time nursery unit at St Colum's Primary School. Mr O'Dowd said: "My views on the value of pre-school provision for young children are well known. Howev
07/07/2015
Five new wastewater treatment plants in Ireland are expected to be completed by August 2015, Irish Water has confirmed. €22.9 million has been invested in the plants at Abbyleix, Durrow, Mountrath, Rathdowney and Stradbally, as well as upgrade works to the wastewater network at each of the towns an
07/07/2015
A major pharmaceutical firm has acquired the former Johnson and Johnson plant in Cashel, Tipperary. Fine Gael TD for Tipperary, Noel Coonan said it has the potential to create high skilled jobs in the region. Mr Coonan said: "The details of the sale have not yet been revealed but there are reports
07/07/2015
The Finance Committee is to launch an investigation over the sale of NAMA. Mick Wallace made allegations over the sale in Leinster House last week. Sinn Féin MLA Daithí McKay said: "All parties at the meeting were in agreement on the need to get to the bottom of this issue as soon as possible. "
07/07/2015
An emergency payment scheme for flooding has been activated by the Minister for the Environment. Mark H Durkan said the scheme was launched following the recent incidents of flooding in the North West. He said: "Householders who have suffered severe inconvenience can claim £1,000 payment from thei
07/07/2015
The contract has been signed to develop new Garda Divisional Headquarters in Wexford. The proposed new Divisional Headquarters at Mulgannon Road include the provision of Garda infrastructure for town and regional policing as well as a major public building providing a civic presence. The plans inc
07/07/2015
A new play park is to be developed in Ballyfermot, Dublin. The Matheson Foundation, in partnership with Dublin City Council and the Irish Architecture Foundation (IAF), is to fund the project. The play park will combine a play area and skate/BMX park, delivered through a process of public engageme
07/07/2015
Legislation is to be introduced after it was revealed that banks are overcharging consumers on standard variable mortgage rates. Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Finance, Michael McGrath, accused banks of "fobbing customers off with minor changes to their rates". Deputy McGrath said: "Reducing fixed ra
07/07/2015
Fianna Fáil is calling for a meeting to be held after it was revealed that the budget allocated for homeless services has a projected deficit of €18.5m. Dublin City Council has notified the Department of Environment and is urging for a meeting between the city council's cabinet policy group and the
07/07/2015
Irish Water has announced it is to invest €31m as part of a major upgrade of one of the country's largest wastewater treatment plants at Osberstown, Co Kildare. It is the largest single investment in the upgrade of a wastewater treatment plant by Irish Water to date, the utility provider has said.
06/07/2015
New statistics have revealed that residential housing builds fell by over 50% year-on-year in the first four months of 2015. According to Link2Plans' National Housing Construction Index, the 51% fall is "unusual", with Managing Director Danny O'Shea explaining it was due to "structural changes in
06/07/2015
More than £60,000 has been earmarked to replace new signage throughout L'Derry, it has been announced. The funding has been provided to the new Derry City and Strabane District Council and will go towards updating the 'Interpretation panels', and the Walled City maps within the city centre. In t
06/07/2015
Dessie Ellis TD, Sinn Féin Housing Spokesperson, has hit out at the Irish Government after it was revealed the Free Legal Advice Centre (FLAC) had received a surge of more than 80% in calls to its helpline regarding housing issues last year. The figures have been published in the organisation's 20
06/07/2015
A new social housing scheme, located on the shore of Lough Neagh has been officially opened. The Bayview Park scheme in Derrymore, Co Antrim consists of six semi-detached family homes. The development received support of £300,000 from the Department for Social Development, and has been developed
06/07/2015
Work is set to begin today (6 July) on a new cultural and visitor centre at Pearse's Cottage, Ros Muc, Galway. An Taoiseach Enda Kenny will turn the first sod of the project. The visitor centre at Pearse's Cottage is being developed as part of a €22m capital investment and will will leave a perman
06/07/2015
Sinn Féin leader, Gerry Adams, has called on the Minister for Finance to give a "full explanation" on the sale of the NAMA northern Loan Book. Making the call, Mr Adams said: "Over the past number of days we have had a series of allegations relating to the sale of the NAMA loan book in the North. W
03/07/2015
The Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) has partnered with Bryson Energy and community groups to establish a network of oil buying clubs across Northern Ireland. A number of clubs have already been established, the most recent in Strabane. The club is being managed by Bryson Energy through St
03/07/2015
Sinn Féin has slammed Government legislation to allow unpaid water charges to be taken from peoples wages as a sign of desperation. Spokesperson on the Environment, Brian Stanley TD, was speaking during a debate on the Civil Debt Bill which allows unpaid debts of between €500 and €4,000 to be attac
03/07/2015
UNESCO has awarded Dublin Bay a Biosphere designation. The Biosphere designation previously related to the Bull Island only but the awarding of Biosphere status to all of Dublin Bay means the designation now extends to an area of approximately 300km2. The award coincides with the public launch of
03/07/2015
Boil Water Notices for 11,300 customers in Killeglan and Castlerea have been lifted by the HSE following inspections by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Minister for the Environment, Community & Local Government, Alan Kelly TD, welcomed the news. Minister Kelly said: "This now means that
03/07/2015
The Minister for the Environment is to propose a series of amendments to the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015. Minister Alan Kelly is expected to make the changes during the Report Stage of the Bill in Dáil Éireann later this month. The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development
03/07/2015
The SDLP and Sinn Fein are calling for DUP MLA Nelson McCausland to step down as Chairperson of the inquiry into the Casement Park redevelopment project. SDLP MLA for Newry and Armagh Dominic Bradley said: "Having been Minister of Culture Arts and Leisure for part of the stadia development proces
03/07/2015
A new £1.2m community centre has officially opened in Newry. Agriculture Minister Michelle O'Neill opened the multi-purpose community resource centre in Ballyholland on Thursday. Ballyholland Development Association (BDA) were awarded £800,000 funding under Axis 3 of the Rural Development Program
03/07/2015
The Government has been criticised for "forcing" the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014 through the Dáil. Sinn Féin Deputy Leader, Mary Lou McDonald TD, blamed "an increasingly cynical government and their use of procedures to stifle debate in the Dáil and force legislation through."
02/07/2015
The Government has turned down a Sinn Féin amendment to ban fracking in Ireland. During the debate on the Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety (Amendment) Bill 2015 in the Seanad, Sinn Féin Senator Kathryn Reilly said fracking is a dangerous method of extracting shale gas from rock. Senat
02/07/2015
Fianna Fáil is calling for training school in County Kildare to be expanded. Spokesperson for Defence, Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD, believes there is a unique opportunity to expand the UN Training School based at the Curragh Camp. He said: "I raised the White Paper on Defence with Minister Coveney in the
02/07/2015
Third level students in Ireland are struggling to find accommodation because of the increase in rents and a shortage of supply, according to Fianna Fáil. Spokesperson on Education Charlie McConalogue has hit out at Minister Jan O'Sullivan's failure to tackle the accommodation crisis. He said: "Col
02/07/2015
Restoration work on Sion Stables in Sion Mills, Co Tyrone, is now complete. The stables had fallen into disrepair and the Department of Environment (DOE) purchased the property in 2008. Environment Minister Mark H Durkan officially opened the stables today, 02 July. Mr Durkan said: "This is a rea
02/07/2015
The Government has been slammed for failing to stand up to the banks over high mortgage interest rates. Sinn Féin Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty TD reiterated that almost four family homes are being repossessed or surrendered each day. Deputy Doherty said: "Sinn Féin recently introduced a b
02/07/2015
An investigation has launched in Cookstown over potential waste crime. The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), supported by PSNI, undertook under warrant an intrusive site survey on lands in the Cookstown area. The investigation concerns allegations that waste was being treated, kept or dis
02/07/2015
Sinn Féin is supporting calls for the N28 Cork to Ringaskiddy road to be given priority in the capital programme. MEP Liadh Ní Riada said it would bring huge economic advantages for Cork and surrounding area. She said: "The potential for jobs is huge. I know that Cork Chamber commissioned a repor
02/07/2015
Over £92,000 has been allocated to move forward with a regeneration project in L'Derry. £92,700 is to be used to regenerate the Clondermot site. The funding will support detailed design work needed to progress the scheme. It will also help to secure planning permission for the construction of a mu
01/07/2015
Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) has started work to replace high voltage cables in east Belfast. The 110,000 volt cables run between Castlereagh substation on Manse Road to Rosebank substation on the Ballygowan Road, near the junction of Glen Road. To facilitate the work, Church Road in Castler
01/07/2015
Grey Point Fort in Bangor is to receive the Fortress Study Group (FSG), Pembroke College, Oxford Award on Saturday, 04 July. The award is in recognition of the restoration and reuse of the unique State Care Monument. It is only the third site in the British Isles to be presented, and a first for
01/07/2015
An Armagh farmer has been fined for making a polluting discharge to a waterway. Paul Anderson pleaded guilty and was fined £500, as well as an offenders levy of £15 at Armagh Magistrates Court. On 17 May 2014, a Water Quality Inspector, acting on behalf of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (
01/07/2015
The next stage in the development of the former military site in Ballykelly has been welcomed by Sinn Féin. MLA Cathal Ó hOisín said it is clear that the OFM/dFM has a strategy that will help unlock the massive potential this site holds. She said: "We have already seen the beginning of the constru
01/07/2015
A new surgical day unit has officially opened at Nenagh Hospital in County Tipperary. The development includes two new operating theatres, a minor procedure room, theatre recovery area, a 10-bed surgical day ward, pre-operative assessment facilities, a discharge lounge and other surgical department
01/07/2015
A farmer from Ballyclare has been fined for causing trade discharge to enter a waterway. John Gault pleaded guilty and was fined £300 at Belfast Magistrates' Court. On 23 April 2014, Water Quality Inspectors acting on behalf of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) inspected an unnamed tr
01/07/2015
Kilwaughter supplied 1000 tonne of asphalt filler to the £130m A8 upgrade, the principal route from Belfast to the major sea port of Larne where a large percentage of Northern Irelands freight arrives and departs. The A8 runs from the M2 at Glengormley to Larne and is part of the European Route E0
01/07/2015
A new sports and community development has opened at Lurgan Town Football Club. The £513,000 facility includes a clubhouse and a 3G youth football pitch, with upgraded lights and car parking facilities. It will be used both by the football club and also by schools, youth clubs, sporting, voluntary
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