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.

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.

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.

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.

Just two months until Ironman

Thu, Jul 14, 2011

On Sunday September 4 Galway will host the first Ironman 70.3 event to take place in Ireland. This inaugural race, scheduled to finish in Eyre Square, will allocate 35 qualifying slots for the Foster Grant Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Florida.

Research shows massive potential of west’s creative sector

Thu, Jul 07, 2011

Innovative research commissioned by the Western Development Commission and carried out by researchers at NUI, Galway has highlighted the potential for a doubling of the workforce employed in the creative sector over the next 10 years.

Additionally this could lead to up to €150 million in additional exports per annum from the sector – a key area of growth identified. The report is a follow up to the WDC’s much heralded Creative West report published in February 2009, which in itself established the creative economy in the Western Region as being internationally significant with 4,775 businesses employing 11,000 people directly.

Business ambassadors reap rewards

Thu, Jul 07, 2011

Local companies Éire Composites Teo, Ri Na Mara, JFC, and EasyFix have been recognised as InterTradeIreland Business Ambassadors for Galway.

McNelis urges Galway businesses to participate in JobBridge scheme

Thu, Jul 07, 2011

The new ‘JobBridge’ intern scheme will “build the confidence of people who have been left unemployed”, enhance their career prospects, and benefit local and national businesses.

Skillnets survey shows benefits of training

Thu, Jul 07, 2011

The Skillnets Annual Report 2010 was published this week, and reported that last year saw €17.3 million invested in developing the skills of some 39,000 people in Ireland. Skillnets proactively responds to enterprise needs by focusing on facilitating the changing needs of employers through best practice training, while simultaneously meeting the needs of the unemployed. Of the fund, €8.4 million was invested from the National Training Fund (NTF) and €8.9 million from companies. Trainees benefited from some 185,000 training days, delivered by more than 60 Skillnet networks across the country. In Co Galway, approximately 850 companies took part in the programme with approximately 2,175 trainees and 17,450 training days delivered.

Application process under way for 6,000 free higher education and training places

Thu, Jun 30, 2011

The applications process for the Springboard initiative, offering free higher education and training for jobseekers, is now underway. In the month since it was launched, there were over 40,000 visitors to the Springboard web-page on www.bluebrick.ie/springboard and over 3,300 applications have been received.

Blue Tree Systems continues its international expansion

Thu, Jun 30, 2011

Blue Tree Systems, which is headquartered in Galway, is continuing its rapid international expansion with the opening of a new office in the US in addition to its well established dealer network. In the US, Blue Tree Systems has secured major contracts with some of the largest transport and logistics companies. These include Nestlé, the world’s largest food producer, TransAm, one of the largest refrigerated transport companies in the US, and National Carriers, nationwide distributor for National Beef.

Galway builders Stewarts win prestigious construction awards

Thu, Jun 30, 2011

Two of Stewarts Contracts Managers were honoured at the CIOB Construction Manager of the Year Awards announced at the CIOB CMYA awards dinner in Bewleys Hotel, Ballsbridge, Dublin.

REI says retention of rent system could cost 40,000 jobs

Thu, Jun 23, 2011

Ireland’s largest retail industry trade body has expressed its support of the Government’s plans to abolish upward only rent review clauses. Retail Excellence Ireland (REI) claims more than 40,000 jobs are at risk in the retail sector unless the system is removed. Currently, rent prices can only increase or remain the same under review, regardless of decreases in market rates. Since rental retail rates increased by 240% between 2000 and 2007, compared to a 30% increment in consumer prices, REI claims businesses are not paying a fair market rate. As it stands, Ireland is one of just a handful of countries who still employ the system, with the remaining jurisdictions employing a market-based approach.

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