Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Ireland Construction News Archive for November 2016
30/11/2016
Fianna Fáil has announced it is to bring forward a Flooding Bill which will protect homes and businesses being discriminated against by insurance firms. Spokesperson on the OPW and Flood Relief, Eugene Murphy, said the Flood Insurance Bill 2016 requires the insurance industry not to discriminate ag
30/11/2016
Planning permission to build a new water treatment plant on the site of the existing plant in Vartry, Wicklow, has been approved. The treatment plant, along with other planned upgrades to the existing site, will secure the long-term future of the water supply and ensure the Vartry Scheme meets all
30/11/2016
NI Water is preparing to start the second stage of work on a rehabiltation project in Downpatrick, Co Down. The work is part of an overall programme by the firm across the province over the next five years to improve the existing sewerage network. Stage one involved the investigative and design w
30/11/2016
A hostel in L'Derry has been officially re-opened following major refurbishment work. The North West Methodist Mission Hostel provides temporary accommodation for almost 50 men. The six move-on flats have recently undergone major refurbishments including new fitted kitchens, new furniture and the
30/11/2016
The Secure Rents and Tenancies Bill has been launched by Sinn Fein. The Bill aims to secure rent certainty, indefinite leases and remove the sale of the property as a reason for eviction. It has also been co-signed by Independents for Change, Labour, People before Profit, the Anti-Austerity Allian
30/11/2016
Work to install an ultraviolet unit at the Westport Wastewater Treatment Plant has been completed. The installation will enhance the final effluent being discharged from the plant, protecting the sea life in Clew Bay, which is a designated shellfish area. As part of the investment in Westport, pro
30/11/2016
West Pharmaceutical Services has completed a 60,000 square foot expansion at its contract manufacturing facility near Mulhuddart, Dublin. The expansion is in response to customer demand for medical device manufacturing and represents West's most recent investment in Ireland, where the Company is a
30/11/2016
Work on a new two-storey development for Friends School in Lisburn has been completed. The building will be used to house music and mathematics. The third floor of the main development has also been restored to accommodate the history department. The £3.3million project was delivered from the Sch
29/11/2016
Sinn Féin has renewed its call to abolish the water charges in Ireland. The party made the call after RTÉ leaked the report of the expert commission. Spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin TD said: "Despite assurances from Minister Coveney that the report would go directly to the special Oireachtas Committee o
29/11/2016
A decision to extend a Park and Ride facility in Castledawson, L'Derry, has been welcomed by Sinn Féin. A total of £350,000 is to be invested in the project, which will allow more people to use the park and ride scheme, particularly for those who travel to work or study in L'Derry or Belfast. Sin
29/11/2016
The SDLP is calling for a new medical school to be developed in Northern Ireland. Health spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA said there was demonstrable need for a new school to deliver enhanced primary care. He said: "The SDLP is proposing the development of a medical school in the North West to addre
29/11/2016
Community and voluntary organisations are being urged to apply for funding following a new partnership with Energia and GIY. The two firms have launched 'Energia Get Ireland Growing' where a pool of €70,000 is available. Organisations can apply for a piece of the funding until 31 January 2017, whi
29/11/2016
There was a significant growth in energy use across all sectors of the economy in 2015, according to new statistics. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) released Ireland's official national energy statistics which revealed nearly a 5% growth in energy use which is the first significa
29/11/2016
Over 4,700 Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) properties are currently under review for asbestos, according to a Ulster Unionist MLA. A total of 326 properties currently have restrictions placed on them. Mr Andy Allen MLA is calling for all of the asbestos to be removed. He said: "This mea
29/11/2016
Two additional electricians will be recruited to help with street lightening maintenance in Newry and Armagh. The electricians in Transport NI's Southern Division will help offer flexibility within the system so that more individual defects can be repaired more quickly. Infrastructure Minister Chr
29/11/2016
Coras Pipeline Services has been awarded a contract by Irish Water to replace 400 metres of defective watermains on the Monstown Road in Dublin. Irish Water is to invest €245,000 in the project, which will also improve water pressure, reduce leakage on the network and reduce interruptions to the se
28/11/2016
The Government is being called to urgently introduce windfarm regulations. Sinn Féin spokesperson on Environment and Energy, Brian Stanley TD, slammed the government as it pledged to address the issue within six months. He said: "We are now entering the eighth month of this government without any
28/11/2016
Irish Water has invested €500,000 to replace old watermains in Co Kilkenny. The project involved a significant upgrade of the water supply network in the area which saw the installation of 4.5km of new watermains. More than 100 customers will benefit from significant improvements in supply and a re
28/11/2016
A boil water notice affecting almost 750 Irish Water customers on the Ballyhaise Public Water Scheme in Co Cavan has been lifted. The notice was put in place on 14 October 2016 after the detection of coliform bacteria in the Annagh Group Water Supply which supplies the Ballyhaise Public Water Suppl
28/11/2016
A Park and Ride facility at Castledawson Roundabout in L'Derry is to be extended. Construction work on the £350,000 scheme started today, 28 November. The extension will add 192 spaces, including 10 disabled spaces, to the 78 spaces that currently exist. The proposed scheme will provide additiona
28/11/2016
The SDLP has expressed disappointment after a legal challenge against the development of a section of the A6 is to go-ahead. Party Leader Colum Eastwood said for the people of Derry and the west it feels like "Groundhog day". Mr Eastwood said: "We cannot have a repeat of the A5 debacle which saw a
28/11/2016
Sinn Féin has hit out at Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil following continual leaks to the media indicating that the expert commission is set to propose a system of domestic charges. Sinn Féin spokesperson on water Eoin Ó Broin TD said people do not want a minimal charge they want the water charges to be
28/11/2016
BSG civil Engineering is to continue with pipelaying work in Armagh in January 2017. The work, to improve the sewerage network, has stopped in Lower English Street ahead of the Georgian Day Christmas events. Due to increased traffic over the busy Christmas period, work on the essential improvement
28/11/2016
Intel Ireland have submitted a planning application to build a new chip manufacturing plant at its Headquarters in Leixlip. Fianna Fáil TD for Kildare North Frank O'Rourke welcomed the application. He said: "Intel's parent company in the US has yet to decide where it will set up the new manufactur
25/11/2016
University College Cork (UCC) has secured an important loan for its €241 million development expansion programme. A €100m agreement has been signed with the European Investment Bank (EIB), which will help drive UCC's largest expansion programme to date. More than 500 construction jobs will be crea
25/11/2016
Construction work has started on a new acute mental health unit at Belfast City Hospital. The facility will provide inpatient services for acutely mentally ill adults within the Belfast area. Work is expected to be complete in late 2018 and will cost £30 million. Health Minister Michelle O'Neil
25/11/2016
Harland and Wolff (H&F) have announced a new multi-million pound contract will secure up to 200 jobs at the Belfast-based manufacturer. H&F have been contracted by ScottishPower Renewables to produce steel foundation jackets for major new offshore windfarm scheme, East Anglia ONE. As part of the a
25/11/2016
An agreement has been reached to relocate the National Maternity Hospital (NMH) in Holles Street, Dublin. Following a year-long dispute between the NMH and St Vincent's Hospital Group, the NMH will move to the Elm Park campus of St Vincent's Hospital. Both hospitals have agreed a new governance ar
25/11/2016
AECOM has been selected to carry out work on a €1.9 million project on the Lough Mask Regional Water Supply Scheme in Mayo. The project forms part of an overall upgrade and expansion of the water treatment plant which will enable the scheme to be extended in the long term to supply areas such as Wi
25/11/2016
A decision to ease deposit rules for First Time Buyers (FTB) has been welcomed by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI). The Central Bank will remove the €220,000 cap on mortgage lending for FTB's who have a deposit of 10%. Ronan O'Hara, Chairman of the SCSI's Residential Professional
25/11/2016
Two state-owned banks have ownership of over 1,000 empty homes in Ireland, according to Sinn Féin. The party's Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty TD revealed Permanent TSB has 441 homes and AIB has 569 homes. Mr Doherty said the situation is "unacceptable" and called on the banks to hand them ove
25/11/2016
Work on a £150,000 road resurfacing scheme in Portadown is complete. The 615-metre project on A4 Dungannon Road was completed on 11 November. Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard said the scheme would benefit between 5,000 and 10,000 drivers which use the route on a daily basis. "The growth of o
24/11/2016
Engineers at Northern Ireland Electricity Networks (NIE Networks) are carrying out inspections to identify areas of the power network which need refurbished and upgraded. Helicopter patrols are being carried out on over 2,500kms of the electricity network which will allow trained observers to ident
24/11/2016
There has been a 35% rise in family homelessness in Dublin, according to new figures. According to the Dublin Homeless Executive, the number of homeless families has increased to 1026 in October with 2110 children. Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin described the figures as "shocking" and
24/11/2016
The Minister for Finance is being urged to withdraw the government's Help to Buy Scheme and invest €50 million in the housing crisis. Sinn Féin Finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty TD made the call to Minister Michael Noonan after changes to the mortgage rules by the Central Bank have "torpedoed" th
24/11/2016
Planning permission has been approved for 26,000 housing units in Dublin, however developers are sitting on them until the price of land and housing increases, according to Labour. Spokesperson on Local Government Reform, Senator Denis Landy, said the Government should introduce "use it or lose it"
24/11/2016
Fianna Fáil is calling on the the government to push ahead with plans to develop a new three-school campus in Buncrana, Donegal. The party made the call after it was revealed that a preferred site had been chosen, however no agreement with the landowner has been reached. The proposed Crana College
24/11/2016
Sinn Féin is once again calling for the water charges in Ireland to be scrapped. The party made the call after its TD, Eoin Ó Broin, challenged the Tánaiste to put an end to the Fine Gael/Fianna Fáil "stitch up" on the charges. Deputy Ó Broin said: "Fine Gael's mishandling of the issue of water is
24/11/2016
Over £600,000 in funding has been allocated for public realm schemes in Antrim and Ballyclare. The works, in Bridge Street and Rashee Road include the replacement of pavements, installation of new street furniture and upgrade of street lighting. The improvements, which are expected to begin before
24/11/2016
Access All Areas based in Cork has announced a partnership with Pollock (Irish made) lifts.
23/11/2016
Mallwood Ltd has scooped a €1.2 million deal to install new watermains and enable the decommissioning of four water treatment plants in Waterford. Irish Water is also investing €55,000 to upgrade the Aglish Water Treatment Plant. Construction works have now commenced and are expected to be comple
23/11/2016
A new wastewater treatment plant and reservoir is to be developed in south Donegal. Irish Water recently signed a deal with Coffey Water to upgrade the Owenteskna Public Water Supply. The new plant will benefit around 4,000 customers covering the area west of Killybegs including Kilcar, Carrick an
23/11/2016
Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard has confirmed he is committed to the prospect of a new footbridge in Strabane, Co Tyrone. The Minister made the announcement after he visited the proposed site of the new footbridge today, 23 November. The structure would be an integral link between the town ce
23/11/2016
Refurbishment work at the former office of the European Union in Dublin is expected to be complete in 2017. IPUT acquired the building in 2013 and it is is available to let through Savills, who are offering space on a single let or floor-by-floor basis in sizes ranging from 3,000 -30,000 square fee
23/11/2016
Housing Minister Simon Coveney has launched the Global Citizen Marine Environment Module of An Taisce's Green Schools Programme. The Minister described the module as a "ground breaking programme". He said: "Green Schools has done so much to raise the environmental awareness of the children of toda
23/11/2016
The Infrastructure Minister is being urged to progress the York Street interchange project in Belfast "as soon as possible". Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong made the call after new figures revealed the area sees more traffic daily than many other busy roads combined. Figures released by the Departme
23/11/2016
Sinn Féin has slammed the Environment Minister and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) after they decided to increase the intake of waste at Ballynagran landfill in Wicklow to 190,000 tonnes. John Brady TD said Minister Denis Naughten's decision in "the wrong one". He said: "This increase is
23/11/2016
The Ulster Unionist Party has expressed "outrage" after it was revealed no money from speed camera fines in the last four years has been re-invested in road safety initiatives. Mr Robin Swann MLA said he is "shocked" at the revelation. A total of £4,478,000 has been raised from speed camera fines
22/11/2016
The housing budget for Kildare next year has been increased by €2million. Kildare County Council passed a €143m budget for 2017 on Monday, 21 November. Fianna Fail Councillor Rob Power welcomed the announcement. He said: "This will include increased expenditure on rent allowance and housing assis
22/11/2016
Construction work is continuing on the Dunkellin River & Aggard Stream Flood Relief Scheme in Co Galway. An Taoiseach Enda Kenny and the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief, Sean Canney, recently visited the site to view the progress of the work. A
22/11/2016
Construction work on the A5 Western Transport Corridor in the North West is expected to start in late 2017. Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer welcomed progress on the A5 road upgrade project. He said: "Martin McGuinness told the Assembly that the inspector's report on the project is due in May 2017 an
22/11/2016
The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) has called on the Economy Minister to explain what his energy policy actually is. UUP Economy spokesperson Steve Aiken said the energy is potentially the most improtant issue for the Executive to deal with over the next six months. The UUP is also bringing a motion
22/11/2016
A new accommodation complex for vulnerable young people has opened in Lisburn. The Fold Housing Association development on Longstone Street includes nine self-contained flats. The scheme was built at a cost of £1.5 million, with £800,000 secured through the Department for Communities as well as £7
22/11/2016
Fianna Fáil has hit out at the Government over its failure to address the ongoing housing crisis in Ireland. Dublin Mid-West and Chair of the Housing and Homelessness Committee, John Curran, said the housing action plan is not increasing the supply of homes. Deputy Curran also made the comments in
22/11/2016
Work on a £190,000 road resurfacing project in Carrickmore, Co Tyrone, is to start in January 2017. Preparation work is to begin between Quarry Road and Creggan Road on Monday, 28 November. A full closure of the B4 Termon Road will be in place in early January 2017 to allow final surfacing to take
22/11/2016
Sinn Féin is calling on the HSE and the National Ambulance Service to find suitable temporary accommodation for the Edenderry Ambulance Service while the the new station is being developed. Work on the new development is expected to be complete by the end of 2018, however TD for Offaly and North Ti
21/11/2016
A new water treatment plant is to be developed in north Donegal. Irish Water appointed EPS to carry out the work which represents a €3.8 million investment in the area. The Gortahork/Falcarragh scheme is supplied from Lough Lagha, an upland lake. However, the existing water treatment plant is not
21/11/2016
Work on a £130,000 road improvement scheme in Craigavon, Co Armagh, is to begin on Monday, 28 November. The resurfacing project, on the Moyraverty West Road, extends for approximately 950m from its junction with Westacres roundabout to Old Fort Lodge. Work is expected to be complete by early Decemb
21/11/2016
Sinn Féin is calling on the Oireachtas to make a decision to abolish the water charges. Spokesperson on water Eoin Ó Broin TD was speaking after information in the Water Commission report was leaked to the media. He said: "I am disappointed but not surprised that sections of this report were leake
21/11/2016
Renewable energy firm, Gaelectric, has announced the largest solar energy installation in Ireland at the Butlers Chocolates headquarters in Clonshaugh Business Park, Dublin. The installation covers approximately 2,850 square meters of the roof area of the Butlers Chocolates factory with a 420kWp ph
21/11/2016
Burning of solid fuel and emissions from vehicle exhausts remain the main threats to good air quality in Ireland, according to the EPA Report Air Quality in Ireland 2015. However, in general air quality in Ireland is good, largely as a result of our relative lack of large cities, weather and access
21/11/2016
The Phoenix Park Rail Tunnel in Dublin has officially opened. The Green Party welcomed the opening and called for further stations to be opened on the line to improve rail services in the area. Green Party Spokesperson on Transport, Cllr Ciarán Cuffe, said it is also a lost opportunity to give com
21/11/2016
A planning application has been submitted to develop a new covered reservoir in south Dublin. Irish Water put forward the application to Rathdown County Council for permission to build the reservoir at the Stillorgan Reservoir site. The new covered reservoir is essential to safeguard the quality
21/11/2016
Housing Minister Simon Ceveney has appointed Independent Senator Pádraig Ó Céidigh as chairperson of the Oireachtas Water Committee. However, Sinn Féin spokesperson on water Eoin Ó Broin said the decision appears to have been made without any formal consultation with other political parties. He sa
18/11/2016
Irish energy firm ESB and Coillte have reached financial close on the Castlepook Wind Farm project in Co Cork. As a result of a co-development agreement between the two companies, the project will be financed with long-term debt from Bank of Ireland. The Castlepook project in the Ballyhoura Mounta
18/11/2016
Sinn Féin has hit out at the Housing Minister for failing to contact councils in Ireland to find out what lands they have available to build new homes. Imelda Munster TD slammed Minister Simon Coveney after she revealed 54 acres of council owned land banks for housing are lying barren in Drogheda a
18/11/2016
NI Water is urging householders and businesses to prepare their properties for winter. The firm made the call as it launched its winter campaign with the message 'Don't Wait - Insulate'. The advertising campaign is being rolled out through various media outlets including radio, print and billboard
18/11/2016
The Housing Adaption Grant needs to be made "fit for purpose" according to Fianna Fáil. Offaly County Council's Strategic Policy Committee on Housing is to put forward new proposals to improve the grant, which aims to make a home suitable for a person with a physical, sensory or intellectual disabi
18/11/2016
Oil and gas exploration firm, Antrim Energy, has agreed to sell one of its subsidiaries to AzEire. The firm will pay $250,000 for Antrim Exploration (Ireland). The sale is expected to be made by 25 November. (CD/LM)
18/11/2016
Energy firm Gaelectric has opened a new £13.4 million wind farm in Co Antrim. The 9.2MW wind farm at Cloonty includes four Enercon wind turbines, with a maximum blade tip height of 110 metres. It will generate sufficient green renewable power to meet the electricity demand of over 5,000 homes on an
18/11/2016
Inspections are being carried out at around 100 retail outlets throughout Ireland to check if they are displaying energy labels in accordance with the European Union (EU) regulations. Between now and Christmas the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) will be carrying out the checks as par
18/11/2016
Housing Minister Simon Coveney has confirmed an independent assessment of building costs is to be carried out. Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Housing Barry Cowen TD welcomed the announcement, however he called for the Minister to follow up with "actual action". Deputy Cowen said: "25,000 new homes ne
18/11/2016
Construction work to build a new hospital and primary complex in Omagh, Co Tyrone, is continuing. The new hospital will provide for 40 intermediate care beds and will include a range of services such as a 24 station renal dialysis unit, a Health and Care Centre including GP accommodation and an Urg
18/11/2016
Fianna Fáil has hit out at the government for leaving school principals and boards of management "in the dark" over the availability of funding for the Minor Works Grant Scheme. The scheme provides funding to upgrade and improve school buildings and for essential maintenance work to be carried out.
17/11/2016
Contractor Roadbridge and the EPS Group are making significant progress on the €9 million Belmullet Sewerage Scheme in Co Mayo for Irish Water. The project, which commenced in June of this year, is ahead of schedule and when completed will remove Belmullet from the list of 44 towns nationally where
17/11/2016
Rent prices in Galway have increased by 10.9% in the past year, according to Sinn Fein. The party said the price of rent is forcing people to move out of the city and have resulted in many becoming homeless. Sinn Féin Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh said the rising costs of rents is "unsustainable"
17/11/2016
The development of the A5 major road scheme is a "national priority" for Sinn Féin, according to MLA Declan McAleer. The A5 Western Transport Corridor in the North West will provide a road link between L'Derry, Strabane, Omagh and Ballygawley. Mr McAleer said: "What people have to realise is that
17/11/2016
The Minister for Transport has been called to make funds available for the development of a motorway between Cork and Limerick. Sinn Féin TD Maurice Quinlivan made the call to Minister Shane Ross following the claim of Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) that the Limerick to Cork Motorway is at
17/11/2016
The Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) has issued a warning to tenants living in the Larne area to be aware of bogus callers following a burglary. Bogus callers, claiming to be from the NIHE, gained access to a home in the Craigy Hill area and stole a number of items including a sum of money
17/11/2016
Construction work on a watermains rehabilitation scheme in Maynooth, Co Kildare, is expected to start in January 2017. Irish Water is investing €250,000 in the project and a contractor is to be appointed before the end of the year. The project will replace 530 metres of ageing mains and also inclu
17/11/2016
Real estate advisory firm Savills is seeking a development partner for a 250,000 square foot retail scheme in Bray, Co Wicklow. The firm was appointed by Wicklow County Council to acquire a development partner for the 2.4-acre main street site. Previously known as the 'Florentine Centre', it has be
17/11/2016
A new playground facility has officially opened at Millisle Primary School in Newtownards, Co Down. Education Minister Peter Weir attended the event. He said: "I would like to thank the Principal for her kind invitation and warm welcome today to celebrate the opening of the new playground. As Educ
17/11/2016
NI Water and contractor Farrans Construction are continuing to work on a scheme to improve and upgrade the water supply in Northern Ireland. Work has already started in the Antrim area and is expected to move on to the Stiles Farm area of Antrim. Approximately 30km of watermains are being laid thro
17/11/2016
The Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Housing Agency have teamed up to provide accommodation for people living with persistent mental health problems. The two firms have drawn together best practice in home design for people living with enduring and life altering mental health conditions into
16/11/2016
The Government is being urged to publish the new windfarm guidelines as soon as possible. Sinn Féin TD for Offaly and North Tipperary Carol Nolan said the lack of clarity is of huge concern to communities. She said: "This has been highlighted last week when a windfarm in Cloghan, Co Offaly was gra
16/11/2016
Only 262 people out of 900 being investigated for waste crime in Northern Ireland were convicted over the last 10 years it has been revealed. The news came to light in an answer to an Assembly Question. Ulster Unionist Environment Spokesperson, Harold McKee MLA, said he was shocked at the low conv
16/11/2016
Sinn Féin is calling on the Government to "wake up" when it comes to climate change. TD for Wicklow/East Carlow John Brady made the call following a Stop Climate Chaos event on Tuesday, 15 November. He said: "We have seen the impact of climate change in our own towns and villages with flooding and
16/11/2016
Minister for Transport Shane Ross has allocated €1 million for the M20 scheme to connect Cork to Limerick. Labour TDs for Limerick City and Cork East, Jan O'Sullivan and Seán Sherlock welcomed the announcement. Deputy O'Sullivan said: "The road between Ireland's 2nd and 3rd cities is totally inade
16/11/2016
Sinn Féin has hit out at the Government for failing to make available funding for the construction of the Ardee Bypass. Imelda Munster TD confirmed the land has already been acquired, however the Government has not included it in the capital investment programme. Deputy Muster said: "It is simply
16/11/2016
A £1.75 million social housing development has officially opened in Coleraine. The site at Lisnablagh Road in Harpurs Hill was supported by NI Executive, through the Department for Communities through a Housing Executive Housing Association £925,000 grant. The remaining funding was provided through
16/11/2016
Contractor Glan Agua has been awarded a contract to upgrade a water treatment plant in Kenmare, Co Kerry. Irish Water appointed the firm following a €4.5 million investment in partnership with Kerry County Council. The project will involve the upgrade of the existing water treatment plant in Kenma
16/11/2016
Plans for a residents' parking scheme in south Belfast have been announced by the Infrastructure Minister, Chris Hazzard. Minister Hazzard said the project in the College Park Avenue/Rugby Road area will include a combination of parking spaces for residents and pay and display spaces. The scheme w
16/11/2016
The Alliance Party is urging householders eligible for Winter Fuel Payments to make sure they receive their payments. The Social Security Agency is currently in the process of sending out the payments which aims to help people pay for home heating oil and make properties more energy efficient. All
16/11/2016
The Infrastructure Minister has been accused of "playing politics" with the York Street Interchange project in Belfast. SDLP MLA Daniel Crossan is calling on Minister Chris Hazzard to make up his mind about the scheme and said it has been difficult to gauge what the Minister is playing at. Mr Cros
15/11/2016
The number of people registered as homeless in south Dublin has risen by 60% since January this year. Sinn Féin is calling on the council to acquire more homes after the number of homeless people increased from 274 in January to 439 in October. Housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin TD described the f
15/11/2016
Work has started to upgrade several aging and old brick lined sewers in Dublin city centre. Irish Water has teamed up with Dublin County Council to ensure that the affected city streets are no longer at risk of sewer collapse and flooding. One project includes the upgrading of Victorian sewers in
15/11/2016
The Housing Minister in being called to attend an urgent meeting after it was revealed no money has been released for Dublin's house building programme. Sinn Fein Councillor Daithí Doolan described the budget as "totally inadequate" and called on Monoster Simon Coveney immediately allocate adequat
15/11/2016
The 'Talking Hardwoods' event in Co Laois has officially opened. The event, which aims to encourage the planting of native woodlands as part of more commercial forests, is taking place at the Manor Hotel in Abbeylix on Tuesday, 15 November. Andrew Doyle, T.D., Minister of State at the Department o
15/11/2016
Sinn Féin has described the Pyrite Remediation Scheme in Ireland as "grossly inadequate" and is calling on the Government to review the eligibility criteria. TD for Dublin Fingal Louise O'Reilly has made a submission to the National Standards Authority of Ireland review of the pyrite testing and ca
15/11/2016
Work to upgrade 400 rural roads in Northern Ireland has been completed following the launch of a £10 million initiative. The Rural Roads scheme secured £10m in June this year to improve roads in rural communities. Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard said: "I am delighted that just five months on
15/11/2016
The Infrastructure Minister has confirmed the £130 million York Street Interchange Scheme in Belfast will go-ahead in readiness of funding becoming available. Minister Chris Hazzard said: "This is an important step in the development of the Interchange which is seeking to address the traffic delays
15/11/2016
The Labour Party has introduced a bill aimed at tackling the shortage in housing supply in Ireland. The Social and Affordable Housing Bill 2016 includes measures to address issues including affordability and supply, rising rents and tenants' rights and the hoarding of land by developers. Labour De
15/11/2016
A Co Tyrone firm has been fined in connection with a pollution incident in Coagh. Donmac Farms pleaded guilty and was fined a total of £8,500 at Dungannon Magistrates' Court. On 5 October 2015, Water Quality Inspectors (WQIs) acting on behalf of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) inspe
15/11/2016
The Housing Minister has been slammed for leaving out urban areas in the North West of Ireland in the government's housing plan. Fianna Fáil TD for Sligo-Leitrim Marc Mac Sharry confirmed sites have been identified in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway, however the North West has not been included.
14/11/2016
New figures released by Ulster Bank reveal that the pace of construction activity in Ireland is now at its highest level in seven months. The Ulster Bank Construction Purchasing Managers' Index, which looks at changes in construction activity, hit 62.3 in October, up from 58.7 in September. The
14/11/2016
The SDLP has announced new legislation calling for an outright ban on all exploration and extraction of shale gas through hydraulic fracturing across NI. Announcing the proposed legislation, Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Richie McPhillips, said: "Since becoming an MLA in May this year, it became c
14/11/2016
Ireland is set to breach its Greenhouse Gas Emissions limit in 2016 or 2017, according to a new report from the Environment Protection Agency (EPA). The organisation has revealed total national emissions were 59.84 MtCO2eq in 2015, 3.7% higher than in 2014. In addition, the Agency said that Ireland
14/11/2016
Fianna Fáil has said that a school building programme is needed for Wexford as it becomes increasingly difficult for parents to secure school places for their children. In a statement, Fianna Fáil TD for Wexford, James Browne, said he was "concerned" by the number of parents facing such a situatio
14/11/2016
Irish Water has commenced work on a €9.7 million collection network of wastewater pipes for Rush, Co Dublin. The network will benefit more than 9,000 residents and tourists in Rush, as well as the environment, and improve the bathing water at South Beach Rush by stopping the discharge of untreated
14/11/2016
Dawson WAM is continuing work on sewer network improvement scheme in Newtownards. The contractor is delivering the project on behalf of NI Water as part of a five-year £18 million investment programme across Northern Ireland. The first phase of the scheme, which involved investigative and design w
14/11/2016
Plans to build thousands of new homes in Fingal have been welcomed by the county council. Housing Minister Simon Coveney announced last week fast-track delivery arrangements for 30,000 new homes in major urban centres in Dublin, Cork and other urban locations around the country. In Fingal, the Min
14/11/2016
A total of 80 new commercial buildings in Fingal have not received a rates valuation certificate, according to Dublin West Sinn Féin representative Paul Donnelly. Councillor Donnelly added that the potential loss in rates revenues is costing "hundreds of thousands" of Euro for the local council, wh
11/11/2016
The Lanyon Tunnels, which run below East Bridge Street in Belfast, are to be developed, it has been confirmed. The Northern Ireland Executive's Social Investment Fund is delivering £1.3 million in investment into the project. The tunnels will be developed to provide two childcare facilities, five
11/11/2016
NIE Networks is to begin building a new power line in Co Tyrone. A team of 20 engineers will start stringing and tensioning an overheard electricity line across the Omagh Road on the weekend of 19 – 20 November. The 1.5km line will connect wind farms in the Seskilgreen area to a substation in Tamn
11/11/2016
Plans by the Housing Minister to fast-track the delivery of 30,000 new homes has been welcomed by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI). Minister Coveney revealed proposals to speed up housing delivery in major urban centres in Dublin, Cork and other locations as part of the Government'
11/11/2016
Graham Construction has secured an accolade at the 2016 Engineers Ireland Excellence Awards. The contractor won the Best Presentation Award for its work to design and build the Rosie Hackett Bridge in Dublin. The €6 million scheme was completed in May 2014 and involved building a 48-metre structur
11/11/2016
A new £160,000 carriageway resurfacing scheme is to take place at Kingsway, Belfast. The work will commence on Monday, 14 November and is expected to be completed by the end of the month. The project will take place from the Black's Road junction to the M1 bridge, and will be undertaken overnight
11/11/2016
SIPTU members have welcomed news of cross-party support for a Dáil motion calling for a referendum to ensure that the ownership and management of water services remains in the public realm. The motion was passed into the committee stage on Thursday, 10 November. Commenting on the announcement, Bre
11/11/2016
Seán Kyne, Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs, has announced a €45,500 grant for Cumann Lúthchleas Gael Lios Póil in Co Kerry. The grant will assist the organisation with building a new stand, as well as other facilities, for the local community and visitors to enjoy matches, while communicat
11/11/2016
Work is continuing on a road maintenance project in Ennis, Co Clare. Contractors have nearly completed resurfacing the Quin Road and provisions are in place to install new street lighting. Work is set to begin next week on installing the lighting and altering the existing kerb line between the ent
10/11/2016
SAS has opened its new office at Le Touche House, located in Dublin's International Financial Services Centre. The move is part of the company's expansion in Ireland, increasing its workforce six-fold. The project is supported by the Department of Jobs through IDA Ireland. The new office support
10/11/2016
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is to resume its hearings into the sale of the National Asset Management Agency's (NAMA) Northern Ireland loan book. Known as 'Project Eagle', the portfolio consisted of Northern Irish loans and properties and was sold at a fraction of its initial £4.5bn value.
10/11/2016
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney has said he is "deeply alarmed" over issues raised by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in its inquiry on the Renewable Heat Incentives (RHI) scheme. Applications to the Non-Domestic Northern Ireland RHI scheme were suspended in February after claims of a massive mult
10/11/2016
Irish Water has announced an investment of €250,000 to upgrade the water infrastructure in Castleisland, Co Kerry. It is understood the work will involve replacing old asbestos, cast iron and lead water pipes. The asbestos cement pipes were laid in the 1970s and there have been frequent disrupti
10/11/2016
Minister for Housing Simon Coveney has announced plans to fast-track the delivery of 30,000 new homes in major urban centres in Dublin, Cork and other urban locations around the country. The Minister made the announcement at the launch of Pillar 3 – Building More Homes – under the Government's "Reb
10/11/2016
Grafton Group has reported a 12.8% increase in revenue from £1.87 billion to £2.11 billion for the 10 months to 31 October 2016. The company revealed today, 10 November, that like for like revenue rose in its Merchanting business rose by 11.4% in Ireland and 1.2% in the UK as a whole. While the div
10/11/2016
A £210,000 structural maintenance scheme is to begin later this month in Ballymena. Works on the B53 Kilgad Road from A36 Moorfields Road to B59 Tully Road will start on Monday, 24 November. The project, which will provide 2.8km of new asphalt road surface, is scheduled for completion by Friday, 1
10/11/2016
A new £5.2 million housing scheme has been unveiled for Ballyclare, Co Antrim. The development will see 39 new homes for active older people, plus a space for a social enterprise. The project is expected to be completed in August 2018. Located on the site of a former department store, the initia
09/11/2016
Irish Water is planning to build a new covered reservoir at the Stillorgan Reservoir site in Co Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown. The utility company said it will submit proposals to develop the facility as part of an €80 million upgrade scheme over the coming weeks. As one of the last remaining reservoirs
09/11/2016
A €750,000 fund has been announced to improve rural towns and villages in Cavan-Monaghan. The money is being allocated under the Rural Town and Village Renewal Scheme. It is understood Monaghan town will receive €100,000 of the fund, while Cavan town, Cootehill and Virginia have secured €85,000 ea
09/11/2016
Northern Ireland's Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard has approved 1,000km of greenways in the region. The news comes as the Minister publishes his Strategic Plan to develop a network of greenway paths across the north of Ireland, including cross border connections. The paths, designed for us
09/11/2016
Work on a £220,000 road improvement scheme in Lisburn is now complete. The project involved extensive reconstruction and resurfacing along a 1.8km section of the Mullaghglass Road road between Sheepwalk Road and Barnfield Road. In addition, the Pond Park Road East junction was also upgraded. Annou
09/11/2016
Cork City Council has won an industry accolade for its work to bring derelict and vacant properties back into use. The local authority was named as the winner of the Local Government initiative category at Engineers Irelands Excellence Awards 2016. The award was given due to the council's work ove
09/11/2016
South Dublin County Council has announced that it has awarded a contract for the development of a feasibility study and plan for the creation of a Liffey Blueway. A blueway is a water path or trail that is developed with launch points, river side activities and points of interest for canoeists, pa
09/11/2016
Three Ministry of Defence (MOD) sites in the NI are to be closed as part of UK-wide restructuring announced by Defence Secretary, Sir Michael Fallon. Ballykinler, Abercon and the Newtownards Airfield site are to be closed alongside 56 other MOD sites. Making the announcement in the Commons, Secret
09/11/2016
A new survey has found a 26% national increase in the number of tenants in need of advice and support for rent reviews over the past year. The research by housing charity Threshold added that it is "pushing families to the brink of homelessness" and that the Government must now "act immediately" t
08/11/2016
A total of £650,000 is to go towards creating a public realm scheme for Nailors Row in L'Derry, it has been announced. The Department for Communities has pledged more than £608,000 towards the scheme. It is being developed in conjunction with Apex Housing Association, who are also contributing £42
08/11/2016
New figures have revealed Dublin's social housing stock has declined by nearly 2,000 units over the last 11 years. With numbers falling from 27,110 in 2005 to 25,274 in 2016, Sinn Féin Councillor Daithí Doolan has called on Housing Minister Simon Coveney to "stop spinning yarns" and commit to champ
08/11/2016
Entrants to this year's Sustainable Energy Awards have delivered savings of €100 million through innovative sustainable energy projects, it has been announced. Presented by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and sponsored by Enprova, the Awards recognise and reward excellence in en
08/11/2016
Helm Housing is continuing work on a new housing development in Newtownabbey. The Association completed the first two homes at Ballyfore Park, Ballyduff on Wednesday, 02 November. Each two-bedroom property has been purposefully built for general families. The Association said work on the remainin
08/11/2016
Funding of more than £740,000 has been announced for improvement works in Limavady town centre. Announced by Communities Minister Paul Givan, the funding will deliver public realm upgrades along Connell Street and Irish Green Street and a revitalisation scheme for Market Street. The Department fo
08/11/2016
A major gas pipeline project off the coast of Mayo has won an accolade at the Engineers Ireland Excellence Awards 2016. The €3.5 billion Corrib Onshore Gas Pipeline scheme scooped the Engineering Project of the Year award during the ceremony in the InterContinental Hotel in Dublin. The scheme was
08/11/2016
Eoin Ó Broin, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing, has called on the Minster for Housing Simon Coveney to introduce a rent certainty amendment to his Planning, Development and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016. The call comes after figures were published by Daft.ie which revealed that rents are now at
08/11/2016
Irish Water has published details of its preferred route for a new 170km pipeline which would take water from the River Shannon to supply the eastern and midlands regions of Ireland. It has been said that the Water Supply Project will deliver "secure and sustainable water" for more than 40% of the
07/11/2016
McLaughlin & Harvey (McL&H) has begun work on a £150 million redevelopment project in Liverpool. The Northern Irish firm have started building a new 67,000 sq ft Sainsbury's store on Great Homer Street in the city. In addition, the contractor will also develop a sub-divided terrace with 13 individ
07/11/2016
Clare County Council are seeking residents' views on a proposed €910,000 town park project in Shannon. A five-week consultation is underway on the scheme, which involves upgrading and incorporating the existing town park woodland and adjacent Rineanna Park into a flagship town park. A landscape ar
07/11/2016
Nearly €160,000 of funding has been approved for building conservation projects in Waterford. The Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys, confirmed the funding on Thursday, 03 November. The finance will be used for a number of schemes under the Built
07/11/2016
Irish Water has commenced operational upgrade works at a water treatment plant in Dublin. The scheme at Ringsend Wastewater Treatment Plant will see the facility's performance improved as the plant is currently operating over its designed capacity. In addition, Irish Water revealed it intends to a
07/11/2016
Plans have been revealed to initiate a Christmas roadworks embargo in Belfast. Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard has confirmed the embargo for all non-essential roadworks on key routes will run from 28 November to 03 January 2017. In addition, a joint transport incentives package for Christmas
07/11/2016
A new bill has been published which aims to reform the planning process in Ireland. The Planning, Development and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016 was unveiled by Housing Minister Simon Conveney today, 07 November. However, Sinn Féin spokesperson on housing Eoin Ó Broin has claimed the legislation
04/11/2016
New figures have revealed that more than €6 billion of construction projects went on-site during the first nine months of 2016. The Construction Information Services' latest Construction Market Review states there were 5,000 major projects submitted for planning, a 13% increase compared to last yea
04/11/2016
Work is underway on a £1.75 million new tourist attraction on the boundary of Divis Mountain near Belfast. The three-phase Standing Stones development will comprise of an eight-bed guest house with associated parking. In addition, a 100-seater restaurant will be developed along with 16 self-caterin
04/11/2016
New research has revealed the UK's decision to leave the EU has impacted business for nearly a third of engineers in Ireland and the UK. The Engineers Ireland survey states over 38% of respondents have had commercial deals paused or unfavourably altered as a result of Brexit. While one in 10 parti
04/11/2016
Irish Water has invested more than €130,000 to replace lead services in Roscommon Town. Working alongside the county council, the organisation has replaced 101 lead services with polyethylene pipes on Castle Street, Galway Road, and Lanesborough Street. In addition, works included replacing around
04/11/2016
Housing Minister Simon Coveney has revealed more than 300 rapid delivery homes will be under construction by the end of this year. The Minister made the announcement after recent figures for September revealed there are now over 6,700 people homeless in Ireland. He said: "We will have more than 30
04/11/2016
Work is to begin on a £180,000 road and footway resurfacing project in Belfast. The two-phase maintenance scheme will be carried out between Dee Street and Yukon Street on Mersey Street from Monday, 07 November. Footway resurfacing will begin from 9am on Monday until 4.30pm on Friday, 23 December.
03/11/2016
A new survey has revealed a rise in the number of queries from UK commercial property agents seeking to relocate to Ireland following Brexit. In its Q3 Ireland Commercial Property Monitor, the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) stated 29% more respondents have already had UK agents enqui
03/11/2016
Over 6,700 people are homeless throughout Ireland, according to new Government figures. Focus Ireland has reported that 65 families became newly homeless in Dublin in September. Overall, 736 families have become homeless in the city during the first nine months of this year. The organisation is ca
03/11/2016
A £358,000 resurfacing scheme is to begin next week on the A46 Lough Shore Road from Enniskillen to Belleek in Fermanagh. The project involves resurfacing a 1.28km section of the route at Carrickreagh costing around £145,000, along with a 1.8km road section at Cosbytown costing approximately £213,0
03/11/2016
A new mental health services resource centre has been opened in north Belfast. The Old See House facility was unveiled by Health Minister Michelle O’Neill at 603 Antrim Road today, 03 November. The building is a new build centre providing a base for a number of community mental health teams coveri
03/11/2016
A seven-year boil water notice for around 200 Irish Water customers has been lifted with immediate effect in Burncourt, Co Tipperary. Work on the Burncourt Regional Water Scheme has been completed. It involved the construction of a new 2,600 cubic-metre per day Treatment Plant, a new reservoir, slu
03/11/2016
A new sports hub in Co Antrim has officially opened following a £4.5 million investment. Following a major redevelopment scheme, the Allan Park Sports Hub now features a full size sports hall suitable for a range of indoor activities such as basketball, five-a-side football, badminton, netball and
02/11/2016
Funding of £250,000 has been secured to develop a new community sports hub in the Belvoir area of south Belfast. Belfast City Council announced it is allocating £250,000 for a new grass pitch at Belvoir Football Club. Work is also to begin on the wider development of the 22-acre site as a community
02/11/2016
Irish energy firm Energia has teamed up with Grow It Yourself (GIY) for one year to promote sustainability and health for Irish customers. The partnership will incorporate the launch of a number of national projects designed to both inspire and support people in Ireland to grow their own food and p
02/11/2016
An efficient and effective planning system is an "integral part" of "delivering the outcomes we want for our society across Northern Ireland," according to Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard. Minister Hazzard was speaking following a meeting with the council chief executives to discuss planning
02/11/2016
The Government has allocated €250,000 for Glenveagh National Park and wildlife reserves in the Northern Region. Over €160,000 has been allocated to upgrading works, which include bridge and road repairs as well as upgrading of waste water facilities. A further €80,000 has been allocated for the con
02/11/2016
The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) is calling on the Environment Minister to change the current littering laws in Ireland. Minister Denis Naughten is being urged to change the existing legislation which currently holds farmers legally responsible for the rubbish recklessly dumped on their lands.
02/11/2016
A housing association in Northern Ireland has won the Prove It: Social Impact category at an awards ceremony organised by Social Enterprise NI. Clanmil Housing scooped first prize at the Stormont Hotel in Belfast after it was commended for the the positive impact of its work in developing communiti
02/11/2016
Emissions from vehicles increased by almost 6% in 2015, according to data published by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The Green Party called on the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten, to "get serious" following the findings. Green Party
01/11/2016
The public is being urged to take part in the consultation process for a new transport hub in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Translink said the scheme has "the potential to be one of the most important development projects in the region" and was cited in the Urban Strategies Report as one of the top sc
01/11/2016
Funding secured to improved and enhance shop fronts in L'Derry has been welcomed by the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Alderman Hilary McClintock. A total of £268,300 has been allocated for the scheme at the Strand Road and Clooney Terrace. A total of 16 properties will benefit
01/11/2016
NI Water has issued a warning to parents and youths of the dangers of playing near treatment works, reservoirs and construction sites over the Halloween holidays. Michael Bergin, Health and Safety Manager at NI Water, said: "Understandably, natural curiosity will draw children and young people towa
01/11/2016
Fianna Fáil has been accused of having "no unconditional commitment" to scrap the water charges by Sinn Féin. Spokesperson on water Eoin Ó Broin said the last six months the party has flitted between abolition, suspension and abolition again. He said: "On a number of occasions Fianna Fáil has had
01/11/2016
Funding of over €3million has been secured to develop and upgrade new recreational facilities throughout Ireland. A total of €3.11m has been allocated for work to be carried out on 45 projects. Minister of State for Regional Economic Development Martin Ring said: "I am delighted to be in a positio
01/11/2016
A man from Co Armagh has been found guilty for waste offences. Mr Bernard Hughes from Crossmaglen was made the subject of a £5,000 compensation order and received four months' sentence, suspended for three years, at Newry Magistrates' Court. He was found guilty of keeping controlled waste without
01/11/2016
A housing association in Northern Ireland has launched a new range of information leaflets to help customers reduce their energy costs. Choice Housing published the leaflets as part of Energy Week 2016. Save Energy, Money and the Environment is a comprehensive guide, developed by Choice, with supp
01/11/2016
The Housing Minister and the Minister for Children have been called on to tell homeless parents when their children will be provided with free transport to and from school. Labour Spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs, Jan O'Sulllivan TD, said Minister Coveney and Minister Zappone must provide
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