Applying artificial intelligence the theme of NUI Galway events

Thu, Aug 25, 2011

The seventh Reasoning Web Summer School, bringing together an international group of postgraduate students and renowned lecturers, which commenced this week at NUI Galway, will be followed next week by the fifth International Web Rules and Reasoning Conference. Both events are organised by the Digital Enterprise Research Institute (DERI) at NUI Galway.

Local company supplies Dundrum Town Centre

Thu, Aug 25, 2011

Galway-based company Footfall Ltd. has won a much coveted supplier contract with Ireland’s largest shopping centre, Dundrum Town Centre.

Footfall, a member of the Galway Chamber of Commerce which specialises in entrance matting and carpet tile installations nationwide, were recently selected as Dundrum Town Centre’s preferred fixed entrance matting supplier, and has successfully carried out a series of high performance installations at the Centre over the summer months.

Student life is big business for city and families

Thu, Aug 25, 2011

THE business of accommodation, feeding and educating students is a big business for cities like Galway and for the families who have to finance them.

As students around the country receive their CAO offers, the Irish League of Credit Unions has announced the results of a study into the cost of third level education in Ireland in 2011. In addition to looking at the issue of financing education, the study also highlights how the current financial crisis has impacted how students view the current jobs market and their future career prospects in Ireland. The survey also focuses attention on parental concerns for their college-going children in terms of finances and future job opportunities.

Local company takes on global deals giants

Thu, Aug 18, 2011

A new Galway-based deals company has entered the growing online deals market dominated by a number of large global players. Through their website www.livingitup.ie the Galway company offers deeply discounted deals to subscribers in the Galway area. They are based at the Innovation in Business Centre at Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, a hub for Innovative start-up businesses.

Your Career, Your Choices

Thu, Aug 18, 2011

Q: In a job interview last week, I was pushed quite hard by the employers on the question of what I knew about the company. The business in question is a reasonably large supplier of products to the business sector. I was surprised that they seemed to think I should know all about their product lines and target markets? (Joe, email)

Bizcamp 2011 seeking entrepreneurs for a conference with a difference

Thu, Aug 11, 2011

Entrepreneurs, innovators and people with creative ideas are invited to get involved as both speakers and participants for an upcoming conference with a difference.

Taking steps to give yourself an edge on jobs front

Thu, Aug 11, 2011

Q: I have just qualified as a teacher, and, like so many others, I am trying to get on the employment ladder. I realise it is a very difficult task right now, given the economic circumstances. What advice would you give me? (Teresa, email)

Danish delight for Barna basketballers

Thu, Aug 11, 2011

Pictured are players from Barna Basketball Club who represented Ireland and won gold in u-16 girls basketball at the World Youth Games held in Aalborg, Denmark, last week.

Argos launches new look store in Galway

Thu, Aug 04, 2011

Argos is launching a further 21 new look stores across the country this August, including one store being unveiled in Galway, continuing the roll out of a new image for Argos in Ireland.

NUIG scholarship for unemployed and low incomes groups

Thu, Aug 04, 2011

This year, as a further effort to enhance access and participation opportunities for unemployed and low income groups, NUI Galway has approved a Scholarship Scheme to reduce fees for applicants in receipt of Job Seekers Benefit, Job Seekers Allowance and One-Parent Family Payment, who wish to enrol for part-time degree and diploma courses provided by the University, and who meet Department of Social Protection income thresholds.

One of the programmes to benefit from this welcome announcement is the BA in Community and Family Studies. This distance learning programme is a four year, part-time honours degree programme in Community and Family Studies.

Rate of decline in retail sales increases to six per cent

Thu, Aug 04, 2011

Irish retail sales levels continued to fall in the second quarter of 2011 according to Retail Excellence Ireland’s (REI) Irish Retail Industry Performance Review Q2 2011.

Overall, year-on-year sales levels fell by an average of six per cent during the second quarter of 2011, increasing from a rate of decline of three per cent in the first quarter. Unsurprisingly, this continued the longstanding trend of falling sales in Ireland’s retail industry and saw June 2011 recorded as the 40th consecutive month of sales decline.

Cannon to chair key committee as Government agrees to wind down FÁS

Thu, Jul 28, 2011

The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., yesterday announced that a new further education and training authority called SOLAS (Seirbhísí Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna) is to be established.

Marathon man local elected head of CIMA West

Thu, Jul 28, 2011

Brian Duffy FCMA of Maree Road, Oranmore has been elected chairman of the West of Ireland branch of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).

Eighty nine per cent of Irish office workers want a ‘greener’ office

Thu, Jul 28, 2011

Eighty nine per cent of Irish office workers would like their office to be more environmentally friendly, according to a recent survey by Epson Ireland. Ninety two per cent said the main driver in their wish for an environmentally friendly office is concern for the environment with only five per cent citing cost saving from green IT as a motivator. Despite Ireland’s current economic condition, Irish workers still chose a genuine concern for the environment over any financial consideration.

Of these green-friendly office workers, 12 per cent said they wanted to ‘help save the environment’ while 72 per cent of those surveyed said ‘it’s important to have a responsible approach to the environment’. Despite this concern for better environmental practice, the majority of companies which they work for do not have basic environmental policies in place.

Entrepreneurial spirit alive and well as local man launches organic weedkiller factory

Thu, Jul 21, 2011

Irish Organic Weedkiller, the start-up company which brought Ireland’s first 100 per cent natural weedkiller to market last year, has announced it is to create 20 new jobs with the opening of its factory in Claregalway Corporate Park. The factory was officially opened by business personality, presidential candidate and advocate for small business, Seán Gallagher on Friday.

Time to act on succession plans

Thu, Jul 21, 2011

Now may be a good time to transfer assets and/or family owned businesses to the next generation and avail of the potential tax benefits arising from reduced property values and current tax reliefs.

There is a concern that the current capital gains tax and gift/inheritance tax reliefs associated with transferring assets to the next generation will be curtailed or eliminated in the next Budget, due in December 2011. Considering that today’s property, business and share values are generally low, the likely reduction in tax reliefs in December and a possible increase in the capital taxes rate of 25 per cent, now may be a good time to reassess your succession plans and take advantage of the current tax system.

Local recruitment company reports strong job growth in first half of 2011

Thu, Jul 14, 2011

Data released this week by the Galway-based Collins McNicholas Recruitment and HR Services Group, one of Ireland’s leading recruitment firms, has revealed significant job growth in the first half of 2011 with the number of job vacancies registered with Collins McNicholas in 2011, 58 per cent higher than it was in the first half of 2010.

Annual VAT Recovery Rate Adjustment

Thu, Jul 14, 2011

Most companies only ever look at the VAT treatment of supplies. Often companies forget to look at the potential to recover more VAT on costs and almost never consider whether they have recovered too much VAT on costs.

New fully organic weedkiller to be launched tomorrow by Sean Gallagher

Thu, Jul 14, 2011

The Irish Organic Weedkiller official opening celebrations begin 3.30pm tomorrow in Claregalway Corporate Park where Galway entrepreneur Oisín Concannon has established the award winning Irish Organic Weedkiller product range.

Postgraduate information systems students showcase voluntary work

Thu, Jul 14, 2011

Postgraduate students in Information Systems at NUI Galway recently showcased voluntary work that benefited local organisations in Galway.

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