Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Ireland Construction News Archive for February 2018
28/02/2018
The Government is being urged to "get to grips" with the homelessness crisis across Ireland. Fianna Fail TD Barry Cowen made the call after new figures revealed over 9,100 people are currently homeless and over 1,500 families are living in emergency accommodation. The data was released by the Depa
28/02/2018
Construction work is to start on a £255,000 carriageway resurfacing project in Ballymartin, Co Down. The work will take place on the A2 Newcastle Road / Annalong Road at Ballymartin and is expected to start on Monday 12 March. The scheme will improve and enhance both the structural integrity and s
28/02/2018
The Minister for Social Protection has confirmed fuel allowance recipients will receive a double payment this week as temperatures are set to plummet across Ireland. Minister Regina Doherty made the announcement on Wednesday, 28 February, after political parties called for an additional fuel paymen
28/02/2018
Work on a road resurfacing project in Annahilt, Co Down, is to begin on Monday, 05 March. The £185,000 scheme will take place on the Glebe Road, from Windmill Road to the Glebe Manor junction. The Glebe Road will be closed between 8am and 6pm from 05 March to 29 March, however diversions will be p
28/02/2018
Phase one of the regeneration works at Brandywell Stadium in L'Derry have been completed. Ownership of the stadium has been given back to Derry City & Strabane District council from the contractor. Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Cllr Maolíosa McHugh said: "This project is one of
28/02/2018
Ground investigation works to help NI Water with the planning of a major sewer improvement project has started in Belfast City Centre. The work began on Monday, 26 February, and is expected to take 14 weeks to complete. CCTV survey works identified significant problems with the existing ageing sew
28/02/2018
Irish Water is being urged to set up a Cold Weather Liaison Group. Fianna Fail made the call following concerns that freezing conditions over the coming days may pose many challenges particularly on the water network. Councillor Paul McAuliffe said the group should be established in co-ordination
28/02/2018
Eirgrid has announced it has scooped a prestigious accolade at the Irish Planning Awards. Eirgrid won an award in the 'Participation and Engagement' category. The aim of the Awards is to highlight innovation and achievement in Irish planning in complex and dynamic environments. John Fitzgerald, D
27/02/2018
Plans for a residential development at the Sirocco site in east Belfast have been submitted. Swinford put forward the proposals for the development which is to include social homes. The site has been derelict for over ten years and Sinn Fein Councillor Mairead O'Donnell said it has "massive potent
27/02/2018
A water restriction for babies under six months of age has been placed in Ballyragget in Co Kilkenny following the rise in the level of nitrates. The restriction is in place until further notice. Irish Water has been working with Kilkenny County Council to put a plan in place which will address th
27/02/2018
Labour is calling for the fuel allowance for older people to be doubled as temperatures are set to drop rapidly over the next few days. The party's spokesperson Senator Ged Nash urged the Department of Social Protection to facilitate a one-off, double payment of the fuel allowance this week. He sa
27/02/2018
A Co Down firm has become the first contractor in the UK and Ireland to achieve the highly recognised British Standards Institution (BSI) Kitemark™ certification for both BIM Design and Construction (PAS 1192-2) and Asset Management (PAS 1192-3). GRAHAM's pioneering approach to Building Information
27/02/2018
Resurfacing work has been completed in Edward Street in Portadown. The road has been re-opened to two-way through traffic. The Department of Infrastructure has warned road users and pedestrians to remain attentive as the changes may be unfamiliar at first. Parking legislation for the street is b
27/02/2018
BSG Civil Engineering is to start work on a £1 million sewer upgrade in Belfast. The existing sewer on McClintock Street will be replaced and a new first-time service storm sewer will be provided to serve the new Maldron and Belfast Grand Central Hotel, as well as the Queen's University accommodati
27/02/2018
Construction work is to begin on a carriageway resurfacing project in Portadown. Work on the £280,000 scheme on Bridge Street, Castle Street, Mill Avenue and Woodhouse Street will commence on Monday, 05 March. The scheme has been part funded by Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council an
27/02/2018
Prefabs are to be installed at St Brogan's School in Bandon, Cork, to provide for increased demand. Extension plans have been approved, however in the meantime prefabs will be used. Fianna Fail TD Margaret Murphy O’Mahony has said that clarity must be given on when and how many prefabs will be ins
26/02/2018
Homebuilders Hagan Homes has confirmed it will accept a Bitcoin transaction as a form of payment for its new homes. The company is believed to be the first homebuilder in Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland to accept Bitcoin, which is a decentralized digital currency. The worldwide payment sy
26/02/2018
Construction work has begun on a road improvement project in Newry. Work on the £300,000 scheme is taking place on the Newry Road between Mayobridge and Hilltown and is expected to be completed in eight to 10 weeks. The work will improve the road alignment and increase visibility for traffic exiti
26/02/2018
NI Water has issued a warning to the public to "insulate" during the colder weather. Temperatures are to drop below zero this week and the firm has issued a number of steps to follow to prepare for the freeaing temperatures. Sara Venning, NI Water's Chief Executive, said: "NI Water is prepared for
26/02/2018
The Green Party has called for a "joined-up approach" to housing in Belfast. Representative Áine Groogan made the call after new figures revealed a number of areas in south Belfast were among the 10 most deprived areas of Northern Ireland in terms of living environment. She said: "These include a
26/02/2018
Housing Association Choice has hosted its annual conference - Tenants Forum. The conference celebrated the achievements of the Forum over the past year including the launch of the Tenant Involvement Strategy for 2017- 2020, which outlines how Choice intends to engage and consult with tenants and fo
26/02/2018
Sinn Fein has once again called for the North-South interconnector to be undergrounded. Sinn Fein has said Eirgrid and SONI's plan lacks the necessary public acceptance among the affected communities and landowners. MEP Matt Carthy also said the firms have failed to engage in any meaningful way wi
26/02/2018
Construction work has been completed on two new primary care centres on the northside of Dublin. The centres have officially opened in Kilcock, Kildare and Coolock. Health Minister Simon Harris said: "These two new centres are the latest in a planned national network of primary care centres, which
26/02/2018
Sinn Fein has called for more "effective measures" to be put in place following the rapid rise in the illegal disposal of waste tyres. MLA Cathal Boylan called for a central register of all tyres to ensure they don't end up on bonfires or illegally dumped. He said: "The creation of a central regis
23/02/2018
GMC Construction has been appointed to install new water mains in Rathgar, Dublin. Work is to start on Monday, 05 March, and is expected to take 10 weeks to complete. The current water mains are old and burst frequently. The works are being carried out as part of Irish Water's national Leakage Re
23/02/2018
Microsoft has officially opened its new 34,000 square metre campus in Dublin. The €134 million campus, One Microsoft Place, is located in Leopardstown. The new workspace facilitates team members from different parts of the business, with a diverse range of skill sets and roles, to come together as
23/02/2018
Significant progress is being made on a new £25 million leisure centre in west Belfast. Construction work is continuing on the Andersonstown Leisure Centre and the final exterior drawings have been welcomed by Sinn Féin. The development is part of Belfast City Council's £105 million 10-year progra
23/02/2018
Refurbishment work has been completed on a play area and outdoor gym in Plumbridge, Co Tyrone. The area was significantly damaged by flooding last August. A spokesperson from Derry City & Strabane Council confirmed that work is progressing at the play area and pitches at Newtownstewart, as well as
23/02/2018
Rapid International Ltd in Co Armagh has recently supplied Kasco Construction Ltd in Tanzania with a new Rapidmix mobile continuous concrete mixing plant for production of mine backfill within a mine in the North Mara region of Tanzania. Kasco Mining and Construction Ltd is a subsidiary of the lar
23/02/2018
Repair work to a burst pipe in Tipperary is ongoing and customers are being warned they may experience a disruption in their water supply. Customers in Ardlaman, Emly, Lattin, Kilross, Cullen, Bohercrow, parts of Tipperary town, Limerick Junction, Gotinstown, Roseboro and surrounding areas have bee
23/02/2018
Fianna Fail has called on the government to allocate around €56 million in funding under its Greenway Strategy to move forward with the Newbridge Demesne walkway/cycleway to Malahide, on the inner estuary otherwise known as the Broadmeadows Way. Mr Darragh O'Brien was speaking following the Governm
22/02/2018
A total of 500 jobs are expected to be created during the redevelopment of ESB's site in Dublin. The main contractor, PJ Hegarty, has cleared the site on Fitzwilliam Lower Street, and excavations have started on basement construction. The new large Grade A office development will include over 26,0
22/02/2018
Work to replace old and ageing water mains in Mullingar is to begin on Monday, 26 February. The work in Rathconnell will provide a better water supply for consumers as it is prone to frequent bursts. The work is being carried out as part of Irish Water's National Leakage Reduction Programme. The
22/02/2018
Fianna Fail is once again calling on the government to start building new homes. The party's housing spokesperson Barry Cowen made the call after it was revealed the government's Re-Building Ireland plan is already behind target. He said: "Supply is the key issue that needs to be addressed to get
22/02/2018
An additional €10million is to be invested to improve and carry out repairs on roads in Ireland, according to Fine Gael. Deputy Pat Deering said an announcement is expected to be made later this month. He said: "I very much welcome this news. This scheme should not be underestimated, as it provide
22/02/2018
Construction work is to begin on a £200,000 road resurfacing project in Ballyclare, Co Antrim. The work is to take place on the Rashee Road between Cogry Road and Readers Park. It is scheduled to begin on Monday, 26 February, and will be completed by Monday, 23 April. Most of the work will be carr
22/02/2018
Fianna Fail has called on the Transport Minister to allocate funding to develop an additional slip road to alleviate the level of congestion in the North County. The new road would serve people travelling from Donabate, Portrane, Rush, Lusk and Skerries. Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee questioned Mi
22/02/2018
Improvement work on a road between L'Derry and Dungiven is expected to start in Spring this year, according to the Department of Infrastructure (DfI). A contractor for the project is expected to be appointed in the coming weeks. Sinn Fein MLA Caoimhe Archibald welcomed the announcement and said it
22/02/2018
Irish Water has been slammed after it was revealed the firm intends to cut around 1,300 water service employees by 2021. Sinn Fein spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin TD said the cuts are a result of the company seeking to end the service level agreements (SLAs) with local authorities in 2021 instead of 2026
21/02/2018
Heron Bros has started construction work on a £15 million leisure centre development in Dunmurry, Belfast. Brook Leisure Centre is one of seven new leisure centres being delivered by Belfast City Council as part of its £105m Leisure Transformation Programme. In addition, the project forms part of
21/02/2018
Dickies Workwear has added three new styles to its footwear range. The new footwear also features the company's new DTI outsoles. Designed by footwear experts to offer optimum underfoot comfort with a soft midsole, the new DTI outsoles are the latest footwear innovation from Dickies. A tough work
21/02/2018
Refurbishment work is almost finished at a health centre in Donegal. Qigley's Point health centre has been closed since August last year after it was damaged by severe flooding. HSE has now confirmed the facility will officially open at the end of March. Fianna Fáil TD for Donegal Charlie McConal
21/02/2018
Serious concerns have been raised over Permanent TSB's (PTSB) plans to sell thousands of mortgages. Sinn Fein spokesperson Pearse Doherty has written to the Clerk of the Committee asking that PTSB be called in "as soon as possible". He said: The Committee should be given the chance to express that
21/02/2018
Building work has started to develop a new play park in Co Antrim. Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council is investing £250,000 to improve the Antrim Lough Shore Park. Plans include a new nautical themed park which will also feature a wheelchair accessible boat. Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, C
21/02/2018
Construction work is underway to expand a business park in south Belfast. A total of £8 million is being invested in Weavers Court business park and up to 480 jobs are expected to be created. Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw welcomed the announcement. She said: "Weavers Court is rapidly establishing i
21/02/2018
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and the HSE are leading a new pilot project which involves taxi drivers in Letterkenny using hybrid and electric vehicles to transport renal dialysis patients. Currently, the patients from Letterkenny University Hospital are transported on a daily
21/02/2018
The Green Party has hit out at the government for "doing nothing" to help homeowners with legacy building defects as a result of failures in building regulation. The call comes as homeowners are now facing bills of up to €30,000 to rectify issues. Deputy leader Catherine Martin said the homeowners
20/02/2018
Approximately 200 jobs are at risk after administrators were appointed to a number of companies within Lagan Construction Group. Four of the Group's 30 firms have gone into administration: Lagan Construction Group Holdings Limited, Lagan Construction Group Limited, Lagan Building Contractors Limite
20/02/2018
A housing association in Northern Ireland has completed work on a new apartment complex in Coalisland, Co Tyrone. The £1.8 million scheme in the Plater's Hill area is owned by Habinteg NI. Funding was provided by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, delivered through the Department for Communit
20/02/2018
Electricity firm ESB is being urged to explain why a number of businesses were left without power on Monday afternoon, 19 February. A power outage affected around 3,900 businesses and restaurants in Dublin. Fianna Fail has called on the firm to release a statement on what caused the power outage.
20/02/2018
A total of €1 billion is to be invested to improve rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. The Rural Regeneration Fund is an additional government investment and will commence in 2019. Minister for Rural & Community Development, Michael Ring TD, said: "The objective of the new Rural Regenerat
20/02/2018
The new Wexford Courthouse has officially opened. The €18.1 million project joins a group of completed courthouses in Drogheda and Letterkenny, with four further new courthouses or substantial refurbishments to be delivered around the country by Public Private Partnerships in 2018. The courthouse
20/02/2018
Quinn Automatic is to start work on a major flood alleviation scheme in south Belfast. Construction work on the Newtownbreda Road will begin on Monday, 26 February, and is expected to take eight weeks to complete. The proposed construction work will involve the installation of a large diameter sew
20/02/2018
Sinn Fein is calling for more social homes to be developed in Northern Ireland. Housing spokesperson Carál Ní Chuilín made the call after a report of the housing market revealed a shortage in social housing. She said: "While slow growth was a concern for those who view housing primarily as an asse
20/02/2018
Work is continuing on the Mourne Wall Restoration project in Co Down. A total of 40 bags containing capping stones, weighing just under a tonne each, were airlifted to Slieve Commedagh, Slieve Donard and Slieve Bearnagh at the weekend. The delivery adds to the 44 bags previously lifted onto Sliev
19/02/2018
Work has been completed to install LED lights on the A2 Bangor Road in Co Down. The street lighting has been replaced with new LED lighting which will save on energy bills and maintenance costs. Green Party Councillor Rachel Woods said: "With frequent outages along this stretch of road over the ye
19/02/2018
A boil water notice for Irish Water consumers supplied by the Lough Talt Water Supply in Sligo remains in place. The notice was issued on Monday, 05 February, following the detection of cryptosporidium in the treated water coming from the plant after a routine test. A two-week testing and sampling
19/02/2018
Additional funding has been allocated to tackle illegal dumping in Ireland. Sinn Fein Louth TD Gerry Adams welcomed the announcement, however he said "the government's response to this serious rural and urban problem has been woefully inadequate". He said: "Last year, the government announced a re
19/02/2018
Electric Ireland has launched a new Smarter Home product. The product will allow customers to control their heating, lights and immersion all from the palm of their hands via the Smart Home App available on smartphone and tablet. Starting at €3.99 a month, appliances such as lights, washing machi
19/02/2018
The Government is being urged to move quickly with legislation to ban the use of micro-beads and other micro-plastics used in cosmetic and personal products. Labour TD Seán Sherlock made the call after new research by NUIG revealed the damage caused by microplastics to fish in the Atlantic, with 73
19/02/2018
Tullamore in Offaly will not be designated a Tier 1 growth town under the Government's National Planning Framework (NPF). Fianna Fáil TD for Offaly Barry Cowen said he was disappointed at the announcement, stating it will have a detrimental impact on communities across Offaly and the wider Midlands
19/02/2018
Fianna Fail has hit out at the Government's pledge to build 25,000 new homes every year between now and 2027. Spokesperson Niall Collins said it is a "tall order given its woeful track record to date in terms of housing construction". The targets are part of the government's National Development P
19/02/2018
Sinn Fein is urging the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) to end the outsourcing of maintenance contracts following the collapse of construction firm Carillion. The party's housing spokesperson, Carál Ní Chuilín, made the call after new claims that investors knew Carillion was heading for d
19/02/2018
Fianna Fail has described the National Development Plan (NDP) as an "unmitigated disaster". Communications, Climate Action and Energy Spokesperson, Timmy Dooley said that with such a poor record on broadband and climate action, he is not hopeful about the commitments in the NDP. He said: "I am ver
19/02/2018
The LUAS in Finglas, Dublin, will not be developed until 2027 at the earliest, despite the Government's launch of Protect Ireland 2040. Fianna Fail has hit out at the government and said the plans only provide for the planning, design and appraisal of the Finglas LUAS project. Dublin North West, C
16/02/2018
Healy Rae Plant Hire (HRPH) has been selected by Irish Water to lay new watermains in Ballydesmond, Co Cork. Work is expected to start soon to improve the water supply network in the area. In total, 9km of new watermains will be laid between Ballydesmond village and Ballinatona Public Water Supply
16/02/2018
BSG Civil Engineering is to begin ground investigation work in Co L'Derry. The work, which is expected to start on Monday, 19 February, will take place in the Foyle Street and Water Street areas, and is to be completed in two weeks. The scheme will involve the excavation of a number of trial holes
16/02/2018
Fianna Fail is calling for a new Garda Station to be developed in Sligo. TD Marc MacSharry urged the government to include the development on the National Development Plan (NDP). He also described the working conditions at the current building as "unsafe". Mr MacSharry said: "The situation at Sli
16/02/2018
Labour has hit out at the PTSB after it was revealed that it plans to sell-off up to €4bn of non-performing loans. TD Joan Burton called on the Minister for Finance to "step in" to protect vulnerable homeowners. She said: "Householders' mortgages on the family home and buy-to-let landlords with on
16/02/2018
The Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) has invested £186,000 to carry out improvement works to eight aluminium bungalows in Draperstown, Co L'Derry. The properties have been fitted with external cladding to improve the thermal properties of the bungalows and new roofing materials were also f
16/02/2018
Improved roads and rail infrastructure will only help people if they are actually delivered, according to Fianna Fail. The party's Spokesperson on Transport, Robert Troy, made the statement after the Government made commitments to improve infrastructure on the National Development Plan (NDP). He s
16/02/2018
Fianna Fail has hit out at the Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy for failing to know how many homes were built in Ireland last year. TD Barry Cowen also slammed the Government after it was revealed only 5,000 social homes were developed in Ireland last year. He said: "The capital budget allocation fo
16/02/2018
Contractors Lowry Building and Civil Engineering have been appointed to start work on a £200,000 flood alleviation scheme in Ahoghill, Co Antrim Work on the scheme is to start on Monday, 19 February, and is expected to take 12 weeks to complete. The work involves the upgrading of the existing culv
15/02/2018
Construction work is to start to replace old cast iron water mains in Co Cavan. Work on the Blacklion Water Mains Replacement Project includes the replacement of approximately 1.1 kilometres of ageing water mains. The work is expected to start on Monday, 26 February. The scheme will include the
15/02/2018
The Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) is investing over £330,000 to install a new pitched roof on top of a block of flats in Lenadoon, west Belfast. Construction work on the new roof at the Suffolk Road flats has begun and the work is expected to be completed by late Spring. The developmen
15/02/2018
Construction work has started on a bridge improvement scheme in Armagh. The £100,000 project also includes resurfacing work on the A28 Friary Road. The works will include waterproofing of the Friary Road Bridge deck and the associated road resurfacing. The project is expected to be completed in
15/02/2018
Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have been slammed for continuing to block Sinn Féin Bill to introduce rent certainty. Sinn Fein described the increase in rent prices in Co Meath as "unsustainable" after new figures revealed an 11.5% rise in rents in the last year. TD for Meath West, Peadar Tóibín TD cal
15/02/2018
The newly redeveloped Brandywell Stadium in Co L'Derry is expected to open in March this year. A spokesperson for Derry City and Strabane District Council said that in spite of a previously advised delay on the project mostly as a result of the winter weather, the contractor has made "excellent pro
15/02/2018
Labour has called on the Government to roll out a national housing scheme with properties to rent as well as buy. The party's housing spokesperson, Jan O'Sullivan TD, said comments by the Junior Finance Minister on the cost of accommodation across Dublin do not reflect the reality of the situation
15/02/2018
Work on a road improvement project in Newtownards is to begin on Thursday, 22 February. The £230,000 resurfacing scheme on the Crawsfordsburn Road will improve the strength and surface quality of the carriageway along a 1.4km section of the 'C class' road. Work is expected to be completed by the e
15/02/2018
Fianna Fail has slammed reports that the party has entered into an agreement with the Government to prevent a vote on the National Planning Framework (NPF). Spokesperson on Housing Barry Cowen TD rejected suggestions made by Sinn Féin Deputies in the Dáil regarding the voting arrangements for the
14/02/2018
A planning application has been submitted for a greenway to be developed between Baldoyle and Portmarnock. Fingal County Council put forward the proposals to An Bord Pleanála. Green Party Councillor David Healy welcomed the plans. He said: "The cycling and walking route between Baldoyle and Portm
14/02/2018
Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein have slammed Transport Minister Shane Ross for failing to invest in road infrastructure throughout Ireland. He has been accused of ignoring the state of the roads in Edenderry and Fingal, as well as failing to provide additional funding to allow the Edenderry Inner Relief
14/02/2018
Contractors are to start work on a road resurfacing project in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh. Work on the £55,000 scheme at Friths Pass from Inis Ceathlinn Bridge to the Junction with Quay Pass will begin on Sunday, 18 February. It will be carried out on two consecutive Sundays, 18 and 25 February and
14/02/2018
A Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) has been submitted to An Bord Pleanála to acquire lands to improve and upgrade the wastewater infrastructure in Clonee, Bracetown and Dunboyne in Co Meath. The project involves the development of a new water pumping station at Loughshallagh and the installation of
14/02/2018
The Finance Minister and Permanent TSB have been urgently called to explain the nature of the loans being sold as part of Project Glas. Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Finance Michael McGrath TD made the call after Permanent TSB issued a statement confirming that it had instructed EY to begin the forma
14/02/2018
Ards and North Down Council has approved plans to improve and enhance the Ballyholme Promenade area in Bangor. The plans are part of the wider Coastal Masterplan from Pixie to Ballyholme. Alliance Councillor Karen Douglas said she was "delighted" with the announcement. She said: "Ballyholme has b
14/02/2018
Employment in the low carbon and renewable energy industry has increased by over 40% between 2015 and 2016, according to the Office of National Statistics (ONS). Sinn Fein MLA Cathal Boylan welcomed the rise and the announcement of an additional 1,500 jobs within the industry, however he called for
14/02/2018
Fianna Fáil has called on the Taoiseach to intervene and put a halt to a NAMA proceeding over its planned sale of land used by Tyrrelstown GAA Club. Dublin West TD, Jack Chambers raised the matter with Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar TD in Dáil Éireann on Tuesday. Chambers said: "The Programme for Governm
13/02/2018
Construction work has started to improve the Ringsend Wastewater Treatment Plant in north Dublin. The €80million project will take approximately two years to complete and will accommodate the current demand, support planned housing and economic growth in the Dublin Region. Currently, the plant ser
13/02/2018
There are a wide range of issues to be resolved over the closure of Kilroot Power Station in Carrickfergus, according to the Alliance Party. Over 200 jobs are at risk after the plant failed to win a major contract. It now faces closure at the end of May this year. Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson and
13/02/2018
Labour is calling for improvement work on the N59, from Galway city to Clifden and on to Leenane, to be made a "priority" in the National Development Plan. Spokesperson on Tourism and representative for Galway West, Cllr Níall McNelis said the N59 is often described as one of the worst roads in Ire
13/02/2018
GM Design Associates has been appointed to work on a masterplan for the regeneration of Sion Mills Village in L'Derry. Derry City and Strabane District Council recently gave the green light for a masterplan for the regeneration to progress following the appointment of an external consultancy team.
13/02/2018
The majority of Dáil Éireann has supported plans to ban future offshore oil and gas exploration in Irish waters. The Climate Emergency Measures Bill 2018, introduced by Bríd Smith TD, was recently debated in the Dáil, with the Green Party, Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin, Labour, and Independents4Change all
13/02/2018
Repairs to a burst watermain in Athlone have been completed and Irish Water has confirmed that customers affected by water outages will return to a normal supply by Wednesday afternoon, 13 February. A watermain on the Ballymahon Road burst on Tuesday, 12 February, and following repair work the rese
13/02/2018
At least an additional €163 million is needed each year to maintain the road network in Ireland to a safe standard, according to Fianna Fail. Spokesperson on Transport, Tourism and Sport Robert Troy TD urgently called on the government to invest in infrastructure and described the state of local an
13/02/2018
The average price to rent a property in Dublin is currently over €1,200, according to data released by Daft.ie. Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson, Eoin Ó Broin TD, called on the government to urgently roll out an affordable rental/cost rental scheme as the rise in rents to December 2017 was 10.9%, 6.9
13/02/2018
The Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) has published the Irish Water Charges Plan. The firm has confirmed that Bills for excess use of charges will start being issued to customers from 01 July 2019 at the earliest. Sinn Féin spokesperson on Water Eoin Ó Broin TD has said any attempt
12/02/2018
Labour has raised serious concerns following reports that the DART underground will not be included in the National Development Plan. Transport spokesperson for the party Senator Kevin Humphreys said the project is "essential" for long term growth in Dublin. Mr Humphreys said: "I am deeply concern
12/02/2018
Proposals have been announced to develop new social homes and apartments in north Belfast. A total of eight houses and 20 apartments are to be developed on the Little Donegall street car park in the Carrick Hill area if approved by Belfast City Council. Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Carál Ní Chui
12/02/2018
Construction work on a road resurfacing project is Co Armagh has been completed. The £700,000 scheme in the A3 Mall West area was carried out by the Department for Infrastructure in conjunction with Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council. It involved the strengthening and resurfacin
12/02/2018
Fianna Fail is calling for an increased supply of homes to help push down the cost of rent for ordinary Dubliners. The party made the call after figures from Dublin's Economic Monitor revealed average residential rents have reached a new peak and now exceed €1,500 per month. Cllr Paul McAuliffe sa
12/02/2018
Labour has hit out at the Department for Housing over the delay in the deposit protection scheme aimed at protecting tenants and landlords. Spokesperson on Housing Jan O'Sullivan confirmed the Department is still examining the legislative provisions, more than two years since the Residential Tenanc
12/02/2018
A Chairperson has been appointed to the new Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC). Mr Bart Brady, a former Assistant Secretary General in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, was selected to take up the role. The FAC was established, under the Agriculture Appeals Act, 2001, as amended, t
12/02/2018
Plans to improve the Leafair pitch in Co L'Derry have been supported by the SDLP. Proposals include the installation of new ball catches which will allow more games to be played at the pitch, including Gaelic games. Councillor Brian Tierney said: "This resource, worth £20,000, will enhance the spo
12/02/2018
Northern Ireland has recorded its highest ever household recycling rate in the last year, according to new figures. The data, published by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, revealed recycling rates from July to September 2017 increased from 48.4% in the same period in 20
09/02/2018
Improvement works are to be carried out at Belfast Central station, Translink has confirmed. The station entrance will be upgraded and it will also be renamed Lanyon Place. Chris Conway, Translink Group Chief Executive, said: "Attractive, high quality passenger facilities play an important role in
09/02/2018
The Alliance Party is to meet with trade unions, the utility regulator and the system operator to discuss the future of Kilroot Power Station in Carrickfergus. The plant is facing closure in May after failing to secure deals in a capacity auction recently. East Antrim Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson,
09/02/2018
Construction work is to start on a £300,000 road resurfacing project in Omagh on Monday, 19 February. The work on the B122 Tattyreagh Road is expected to be completed by 10 March. Resurfacing of the 2.2 kilometre stretch of road will improve the structural condition of the carriageway, enhance the
09/02/2018
The Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) has teamed up with the Education Authority to launch a new home energy poster competition for Primary 7 pupils in Northern Ireland. P7 classes are being asked to design a poster that shows how to save energy in their homes. The prizes include £1,000,
09/02/2018
Fianna Fail has accused the government of "misleading" people over its target to develop 50,000 new social housing units. Spokesperson on Housing, Planning and Local Government, Barry Cowen TD, made the accusation after new information revealed that Local Authorities are paying €27 million a year t
09/02/2018
East Cork is the most suitable location to develop a new interconnector which will link Ireland and France, according to EirGrid. The state-owned operator and developer of the electricity transmission grid in Ireland was speaking at a recent meeting with the Cork Chamber of Commerce. For the past
08/02/2018
Fianna Fail is calling for construction work to be carried out to upgrade the water treatment plant in Lough Talt in Sligo. TD for Sligo-Leitrim Eamon Scanlon made the call after over 13,000 households were issued with a boil water notice after another cryptosporidium outbreak. Mr Scanlon said the
08/02/2018
Construction work is to start on a £130,000 road improvement project in Glenavy, Co Antrim. The work on the Glen Road is to commence on Monday, 12 February. The scheme will resurface a one kilometre section of the road, stretching from the Crumlin Road to the Edenturcher Road junction, while impro
08/02/2018
Over 370,000 homes in Ireland have taken advantage of home energy grants, according to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). A total of 1.7 million homes in Ireland could also be eligible for new and increased home energy grants. The SEAI has introduced increased and additional grant
08/02/2018
Work has begun on a carriageway resurfacing scheme in Hilltown, Co Down. A new Puffin crossing will also be installed in the Main Street area of the town to improve road safety for pedestrians. A total of £60,000 is being invested in the project and the work is expected to be complete by the end o
08/02/2018
A housing association in Northern Ireland has won a prestigious award for a social housing development in Carryduff, south Belfast. Choice Housing won 'Project of the Year- Residential' award for Killynure Green at the CIBSE Building Performance Awards 2018. The ceremony took place at the Grosveno
08/02/2018
Fine Gael has hit out at the Department of Transport for failing to allocate funding for road improvement work to be carried out in Fingal. TD Alan Farrell accused the department of "ignoring" rural Dublin. He said: "Fingal County Council has confirmed to me that within the Fingal Area there are 6
07/02/2018
Sinn Fein has renewed its call to underground the North-South interconnector. Meath West TD, Peadar Tóibín, made the call after it was revealed that 97% of landowners will not grant EirGrid access to their land. He also said An Bord Pleanála has not approved any one of the 584 access routes requir
07/02/2018
Retailer Lidl has announced it is to open a new store at a site in south Belfast. The building will be developed at the former Carryduff Centre site and the store is to officially open on 19 July this year. Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council approved the redevelopment plans in May 2017. Green P
07/02/2018
Construction work is to start on a road improvement scheme in Lisburn. Work on the £250,000 project in the Laurel Hill area will begin on Monday, 12 February. The Laurel Hill carriageway will be resurfaced from Ballymacash Road to Prince William Road. The scheme will also include the widening and
07/02/2018
The Managing Director of housebuilder Hagan Homes is urging Northern Ireland Water to explain why local sewer bond rates are the highest in the UK. A sewer bond is a surety provided on behalf of a property developer or house builder which provides a method of securing funds to complete sewers to a
07/02/2018
Fianna Fail has hit out at the Transport Minister over his failure to invest in rail infrastructure. The party published its submission to the National Transport Authority (NTA) consultation on the future of rail services in 2016 and the plans contained a number of measures to help encourage people
07/02/2018
The number of customers who have lost their homes as a result of being denied a tracker mortgage is expected to increase, according to Fianna Fail. The party's finance spokesperson, Michael McGrath TD, made the statement and said the tracker mortgage scandal is likely to significantly exceed the f
06/02/2018
A contract to upgrade the Vartry Water Treatment Plant in Co Wicklow is to be awarded later this year. Planning permission to refurbish the plant was recently given the go-ahead and construction work is expected to take two years to complete. A boil water notice for all areas supplied by the plant
06/02/2018
Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) is to reportedly axe around 90 jobs amid "efficiency" plans for the business. Sinn Fein MLA Cathal Boylan has called for a meeting with the firm to discuss the need to safeguard the welfare of workers. He said: "Whatever the outcome of this, the lives and livelih
06/02/2018
George Best Belfast City Airport has announced a £15 million infrastructure investment. The investment includes a major upgrade of its departure lounge, incorporating its retail, food and beverage offering. The airport's central security area and hold baggage screening facilities will also be upgr
06/02/2018
The new Electric small public service vehicles (SPSV) Grant Scheme to support the increased uptake of electric vehicles in the sector has been launched. Minister for Communications, Action and Climate Change, Denis Naughten, welcomed the announcement. He said: "My colleague Minister Ross and I con
06/02/2018
Sinn Fein is calling for vacant sites on the outskirts of Leopardstown Racecourse to be handed over to Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. Councillor Chris Curran made the call and said that new social and affordable homes could be developed on the sites. He said: "Leopardstown Racecourse is ow
06/02/2018
The Transport Minister has been urgently called to upgrade and refurbish six Coastguard stations in Wexford, after it was revealed that only two have running water and bathrooms inside. Fianna Fail TD James Browne made the call after the neglect was revealed during a parliamentary question. He sai
05/02/2018
Construction work has started on a £98,000 road project in Castlederg, Co Tyrone. The work on the U101 Castlefin Road is expected to be completed by early April 2018. To facilitate the resurfacing, it will be necessary to implement a full road closure throughout the period of the work. A diversion
05/02/2018
Sinn Fein is calling on households with interest-only mortgages to have plans in place to repay the original loan when the term of their agreement expires. Housing spokesperson Carál Ní Chuilín also urged homeowners to speak to their lenders. The North Belfast MLA said: "At the height of the prope
05/02/2018
The Transport Minister has been urgently called to deal with the poor road conditions throughout Ireland. Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Transport, Tourism and Sport, Robert Troy TD, made the call to Minister Shane Ross after he was inundated with complaints from road users about the current condition
05/02/2018
Ireland is currently at the bottom of the list on renewable energy targets. Eurostat published data on how EU member-States are progressing in their attempts to reach their 2020 targets and it revealed that 11 EU States have already met their renewable energy targets two years in advance. Dublin
05/02/2018
Fianna Fail is urgently calling for work to start to build new social homes at O'Devaney Gardens in Dublin. The development of the first 56 homes was supposed to have started by the end of 2017, however the contracts have not been signed for work to begin on the first phase. Previously, Minister f
05/02/2018
The government must hold a Dáil vote on the final draft of the National Planning Framework (NPF), according to Sinn Féin. The party's housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin TD said: "There were huge gaps in the last document. Namely on the North West of the country and there is a lot of vagueness on the
05/02/2018
A design contract has been awarded for the Northern Regional College capital investment project at campuses in Ballymena and Coleraine. Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald welcomed the announcement. She said: "The new builds for both the Coleraine and Ballymena campuses are much needed, so it is good
05/02/2018
Work is to start to improve and upgrade a dual carriageway in Banbridge, Co Down. Contractors will begin work on the A1 dual carriageway on Sunday, 11 February, and is expected to be completed in three weeks. The scheme, designed to improve safety for motorists, involves the erection of a central
02/02/2018
Moore Construction has been appointed to develop over 20 new homes in Strabane. The houses with detached garages are to be located on the Upper Galliagh Road. The development will contain four house types, all detached two-storey dwellings with common themes and finishes. Members from Derry City
02/02/2018
The Housing Minister has been urgently called to deal with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) who spent €2.147 million on legal fees without following the correct tendering procedures. The RTB 2016 annual financial statements revealed that the largest item of expenditure by the organisation was
02/02/2018
A significant amount of the £5 million from the Department of Infrastructure will be invested to repair potholes on roads throughout Northern Ireland. Permanent Secretary Peter May confirmed the news in a letter and said the money will be "directed primarily towards resurfacing on the local road ne
02/02/2018
Hotels and hostels are not suitable for children, Labour has announced. The party made the statement following RTÉ's report on complaints made to the Dublin Region Homeless Executive about conditions in emergency accommodation. Housing spokesperson Jan O'Sullivan said: "One woman described the imp
02/02/2018
The public are being urged to give their views over planned road improvements along the A1 between Hillsborough Roundabout and Loughbrickland. A series of community consultation events will seek further views on the developed project design and scheme progression. The meetings will take place on:
02/02/2018
The sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has announced a new research fund which aims to develop new energy solutions. More than €2.5 million will support research, development and demonstration energy projects in 2018 Mr Denis Naughten TD, Minister for Communications, Climate Action and
02/02/2018
Irish energy firm ESB has announced applications are open to its Networks Apprentice Programmes. ESB aims to recruit up to 70 new electrical apprentices and applications will remain open until Wednesday, 14 March. ESB Chief Executive Pat O'Doherty said: "The quality of our apprenticeship programme
02/02/2018
Fianna Fail has been slammed for refusing to support measures to deliver almost 15,000 homes in Ireland over the next two years. Sinn Fein claimed the party "cannot be trusted" to provide solutions over the ongoing housing crisis. Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin TD said: "Fianna Fáil h
01/02/2018
The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) is being urged to "put their money where their mouth is" to upgrade the Buncrana Road in Co L'Derry. SDLP Foyleside Councillor John Boyle made the call following a decision by the Planning Committee of Derry City and Strabane District Council to approve a maj
01/02/2018
BSG Civiil Engineering is to begin work to lay over 600 metres of new sewerage pumping main in Coleraine. Construction work on the Portstewart Road will begin on Monday, 05 February, and is expected to take six weeks to complete. NI Water is investing £80,000 in the project which will provide a fi
01/02/2018
Fianna Fail has launched a new Bill to provide clarity to ensure landlords cannot exploit the current rental crisis to impose unsafe and substandard living conditions. The Bill strengthens penalties against landlords who breach overcrowsing rules. Around 3,544 people have cited overcrowding as th
01/02/2018
A construction milestone has been reached after the last piece of structure was placed at the top of the Ulster Hospital's new £95 million Acute Services Block in east Belfast. The project is being led by the GRAHAM-BAM Healthcare Partnership and the development is part of the South-Eastern Health
01/02/2018
The Housing Minister has confirmed that he is open to introducing a ban on the advertising of substandard properties on the internet and he would bring forward overcrowding legislation shortly, according to Sinn Fein. It follows a call by the party to introduce a ban on the online advertising of su
01/02/2018
Preliminary works have started on a £130,000 road improvement project in Coalisland, Co Tyrone. Resurfacing work to improve the drainage on the Ballynakilly Road, is expected to begin on Monday, 12 February. The A45 Ballynakilly Road will be closed to through traffic from its junction with U1029 C
01/02/2018
Sinn Fein has repeated its call for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) to directly employ workers from construction firm Carillion. The company recently collapsed and hundreds of worker are now uncertain about their future. Sinn Féin Councillor Catherine Elattar attended a meeting with
01/02/2018
Work has started to expand Rushmere Shopping Centre in Craigavon. The centre has confirmed that two new restaurants, Nando's and Five Guys, are to open at the site. The two units will have a combined space of more than 7,000 sq. ft. and are to open in the third quarter of this year. Five Guys' Vi
