Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Ireland Construction News Archive for February 2011
28/02/2011
An historic courthouse has been re-opened after an €8.5m restoration project that brings the building to its original architectural glory. Monaghan Courthouse was reopened by the Justice Minister, Brendan Smith who said: "I am confident that this courthouse will meet the needs of Monaghan and the s
28/02/2011
The Northern Ireland Science Industry Panel, MATRIX, has announced that the Global Maritime Alliance (GMA) has secured its first technology client. In June the GMA was regarded by MATRIX as having the potential to be a formidable Industry-led Innovation Community (IIC) as part of a £630,000 collabo
28/02/2011
The main contractor has been appointed for the development of a new youth centre at Fountain Youth Centre, Kesh, Co. Fermanagh. The £675,000 scheme includes a two-and-a-half-storey building comprising hall, offices, meeting rooms, toilets, kitchen and ancillary facilities. According to website,
28/02/2011
Residents of Ballyhackamore in east Belfast have been voicing their anger over a plan by fast food firm, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) to build a drive-through restaurant on the corner of Knockhill Park and the Upper Newtownards Road. However, their worries are being sidelined as it has now emerged
28/02/2011
The main contractor has been appointed for the construction of a three-storey extension to Beechfield Nursing Home, Shankill, Co Dublin. The development includes a new three-storey pitched roof extension linked to the existing building on all levels including the removal of the existing external me
28/02/2011
Innovative used plant and equipment auction website
25/02/2011
The door to expansion has been flung open with a major investment in a construction sector business specialising in doors and windows just announced. The Stormont Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said that the £16m boost for a manufacturer of PVC doors, windows, conservatories and glass sealed uni
25/02/2011
A €1m 'Centre of Excellence' is being built in Co Leitrim. The two-storey building will be constructed at Drumod, with the main contractor just appointed and on site for the works involved in the development of Cumann Lúthchleas Gael (CLG) Chontae Liatroma Annaduff Centre of Excellence. The develo
25/02/2011
England followed Nl's example this week with winter damage to the roads being addressed on a national basis. Already, in Northern Ireland, the severe weather at New Year has led to an extra £8.5m being allocated for maintenance and an additional £9m from this month's monitoring round for the Depart
25/02/2011
Ireland is putting €7.5m into roads spending in various Locations, across Co Offaly. The money has been allocated to Offaly County Council for spending on regional and local roads. Of the €7.5m which was provided, the vast majority (€5.9m) will go to road improvements, safety works and signposti
25/02/2011
An improvement scheme for tourism on the shores of Co Antrim has been described by the local MP as a key stop-off point to view the scenery and wildlife at Belfast Lough. The Stormont Finance Minister Sammy Wilson visited the site at Jordanstown Loughshore Park and said it is destined to be part of
25/02/2011
The NI Planning Service has recommended that a proposal to build a Tesco superstore in Londonderry be refused. The retailer had submitted an application for the supermarket on the Buncrana Road. The plans by Tesco also included another retail unit and a home shopping delivery depot. In a letter
24/02/2011
There's a half-million Euro water upgrade scheme in the pipeline in Co Cork. The plan is for a reservoir and approximately 6km of water main ranging in size from 100mm to 150mm in Cork, with the main contractor McCarthy Plant Hire just appointed for the works. The job will involve in the construct
24/02/2011
Tralee and Fenit Harbour Commissioners are hoping they won't be all at sea over their application to build a new, 210-berth marina expansion in Co Kerry. The detailed plans were submitted to Kerry County Council by the Commissioners in mid February for the proposed marina expansion at Fenit Harbour
24/02/2011
One of Nl's leading banks is putting its 'money where its mouth is' by investing £2m in a refurbishment of the Northern Bank's Shipquay Place branch in Londonderry. The renovations of the landmark, listed building will include full repairs to the external stonework and the creation of a new ramped
24/02/2011
Improvements to a major road in the North West are a further example of the Stormont Executive's commitment to improving infrastructure in the area. The scheme involved upgrading 6.6km of the A2 between Campsey and the City of Derry Airport to dual carriageway standard. According to the Sinn Fein
24/02/2011
Emerging employment opportunities and 'upskilling' are at the forefront of a new scheme based around Belfast's most iconic engineering project. Stormont Employment and Learning Minister, Danny Kennedy, launched the Titanic Quarter (TQ) Work Group Action Plan for Employment, Training and Skills this
24/02/2011
Plans for the construction of a church building at Drumbear, Ballybay Road, Monaghan, Co. Monaghan have been approved. Monaghan Town Council approved the Monaghan Elim Church scheme on February 7. According to the website, unearthore.com, the development will consist of a church sanctuary, church
23/02/2011
There's a community Arts Centre architectural design competition underway. It is a two-stage open design contest, for an architect-led design team, for a new high quality purpose built facility at Tullamore, Co Offaly. It aims to create a new high quality purpose built facility that will create th
23/02/2011
ESB Networks has won an international award for its implementation of a major Smart Networks initiative, which facilitates the introduction of more renewables on the Electricity Grid. The Company has been selected as the 2011 Winner of the SmartGrid Demo Project in the Renewables Integration Catego
23/02/2011
In the first confiscation order to have been obtained in the UK against a port authority, Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners, Foyle Recyclers and one of its directors were also fined a total of £14,000 for illegal waste offences at Londonderry Crown Court this week. The Derry Port and Harb
23/02/2011
Detailed plans have been approved by Meath County Council for the construction of a housing development at O'Growney Street, Athboy, Co Meath. The development will comprise the construction of 10 two-storey four-bedroom houses. Plans include a new entry to public road including removal of part a
23/02/2011
The developers of a major retail and office development in Ballymena town centre have completed their third significant letting. Local business, The Sitting Room, a successful hairdressing salon owned and run by Julian Dalrymple has moved into a newly fitted out unit in the development which is loc
23/02/2011
Specialist contractor Mivan Limited has secured a number of packages at the new, luxury Prime Knightsbridge Hotel in London totalling over £8 million. The Antrim based company's scope includes the fit-out of the hotel public areas including the restaurant, lobby and ballroom areas. In addition, M
22/02/2011
A new initiative to regenerate a part of Belfast city centre that has been neglected since the Troubles has been launched by the Stormont Social Development Minister. Alex Attwood announced a number of investment initiatives to transform the Northside of Belfast City Centre. These include a new pr
22/02/2011
Work is expected to commence soon on a four-block, 105-bed spaces nursing home in Ashbourne, Co. Meath. Although a third party appeal was submitted against the construction of the nursing home at Hunters Lane, Dunreagh Townland, Ashbourne, An Bord Pleanala has dismissed the appeal. They then grant
22/02/2011
This year has kicked off on a positive note for John Sisk & Son when the Irish construction company landed the biggest construction contract in the last two years – a joint bid for Crossrail's £550m tunnelling project. Sisk said it is is now number 8 in the top 50 contractors in Great Britain for
22/02/2011
Braham Electrical and Michael Nugent Ltd have been appointed as sub-contractors for the works involved with the construction of a mental health facility at Gransha Hospital, Clooney Road, Londonderry. The approved plans, valued at £8.5 million, include a facility for people requiring care for ment
22/02/2011
Rurally-based politicians are looking for ways of getting the planning authorities to be more amenable to applications that involve job creation or other forms of entrepreneurship. SDLP Fermanagh representatives have met with the local Divisional Planning Manager to discuss concerns they have that
22/02/2011
Ollie Kenny Ltd has been appointed as the main contractor for the construction of an extension and alterations to the Crinkill National School, Crinkill, Birr, County Offaly. According to the website, unearthore.co.uk, the new extension of 670 square metres comprising of the erection of a new singl
21/02/2011
A major change for Portrush's iconic railway station may be on the line if the NI Social Development Minister Alex Attwood determines that it can be relocated to help increase tourism. His Department will be working in partnership with Coleraine Borough Council to see if land, currently occupied b
21/02/2011
A licence that will allow shallow drilling to a depth of 200m (650ft) and to carry out technical studies to ascertain whether gas is commercially viable has been granted in Sligo. If initial studies prove successful, the companies will have first option on a more expensive exploration licence which
21/02/2011
Limerick builders will soon be flying high with news that proposals to build a seaplane terminal at the local Clarion Hotel has been granted planning permission. The city could soon be linked to Galway and the Aran Islands by a 30-minute seaplane journey after Limerick City Council gave the green l
21/02/2011
Figures from rating agency Moody's has revealed another 5,000 mortgage-holders are now in arrears across the Irish Republic. Moody's said last week that 45,000 homeowners have failed to make a repayment for three months or more. The figures are on top of an estimated 40,000 others who have had to a
21/02/2011
Cross-border co-operation has taken on concrete form with the end of a building project that physically links North and South being welcomed. Stormont Transport Minister Conor Murphy (pictured) and the NI Rural Development Minister Michelle Gildernew have greeted the opening of a €1.5m cross border
21/02/2011
Belfast's shipyard complex is to see further regeneration with news from the Stormont Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster of the establishment of a new £6m research centre. The Northern Ireland Advanced Composites & Engineering Centre (NIACE), to be located on Airport Road, is scheduled to open this
18/02/2011
A major supplier of naturally quarried Donegal stone, McMonagle Stone, has recently acquired a new production site to further expand the availability of Silver Grey Quartzite to the local market and into Northern Ireland. The former quarry, operated by Morrow Stone, is now under the ownership of Mc
18/02/2011
The Dáil Government has announced that financial assistance is to be provided to local authorities to tackle a rnage of problems related to unfinished housing developments. The announcement comes in the wake of an interim analysis by the Advisory Group on Unfinished Housing Developments. According
18/02/2011
A Co Antrim-based firm that operates within the construction and marine refurbishment sectors and employs over 300 people in Northern Ireland and Britain has been in focus today. The Stormont Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has congratulated Mivan on securing contracts worth over £30m in new mark
18/02/2011
A major new landfill for taking hazardous ash from the whole of Ireland's proposed incinerators have been lodged with An Bord Pleanála. The landfill would be capable of taking all of the estimated 86,000 tonnes of 'hazardous flue gas treatment residues' produced annually by three incinerators in de
18/02/2011
The Deputy First Minister today attended a workshop in Derry's City Hotel on the draft Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) on the Regeneration Plan for the city. The EQIA summarises the practical steps which Ilex has taken to mainstream Equality in the development of the Regeneration Plan and represe
18/02/2011
As part of Engineers’ Week 2011 (14-20 Feb), coordinated by Engineers Ireland, George Best Belfast City Airport opened its doors to pupils from Priory Integrated College to showcase the importance of engineering within an airport. As well as an exclusive tour of the Air Traffic Control tower, Radar
17/02/2011
A bid to construct a new Irish casino is turning out to be a bit of a gamble with news of an oral hearing to discuss objections. An Bord Pleanála, has decided to host the hearing to discuss the planned €460m development near Thurles. It is set to take place on March 8th. After that, it's odds-on i
17/02/2011
UK repossessions are set to fall during the first half of 2011 (15,557 to 01 July) and rise during the second half of the year (17,700) according to the first regionally based forecast which has been produced by financial outsourcer HML. Based on an analysis of 320,000 live mortgage accounts HML pr
17/02/2011
The mothers of two teenagers in Northern Ireland who died from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning last summer have made a film with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents NI to raise awareness of the 'silent killer' and how future tragedies can be prevented. Catherine McFerran and Katrina Da
17/02/2011
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood today announced a funding boost of almost £340,000 for Dungannon Youth Resource Centre. The funding will be used to carry out a programme of refurbishment works to create a modern and safe community centre. The works include: · a new roof system with susp
17/02/2011
A Co Antrim community group, Northend Community Association has teamed up with the NI Housing Executive (NIHE) on a new project aimed at improving the look of the Erskine/Rashee estate in rural Ballyclare. The NIHE-funded scheme aims to redevelop the landscape around the local area with a spokesper
16/02/2011
Multinational utility companies are seeking to invest over 2 billion euro to harness the energy of County Clare’s wind, wave, tidal and biomass resources. That is according to the Clare County Development Board (CDB) which today launched its Integrated Strategy on Energy & Climate Change. The plan
16/02/2011
The Dáil Government has announced the level of spending for 2011 for Housing Adaptation Grants for older persons or people with a disability. The provision for 2011 has been put at €79.46m, allowing for qualifying people to "improve or extend" their home. Providing a fillip for the belagured build
16/02/2011
The methods used by the public sector across the whole of Ireland to influence the 'distribution of people and activities in spaces of various scales' - known as Spatial Strategies - have been on the agenda for Ministers, North and South. Northern Ireland's Regional Development Minister Conor Murph
16/02/2011
An Bord Pleanála has overruled an objection by the National Roads Authority (NRA) to the expansion of a nursing home. Patterson Nursing Home, Lismackin, received permission from North Tipperary County Council to extend the rear of the property with 15 conditions attached - however the National Road
16/02/2011
Farrans are due to start work within the next few weeks on a new state of the art Bangor Grammar School valued at over £15m. The work will consist of a new 850 pupil second level school, schools meals accommodation, synthetic pitches, grass pitches, external play spaces, landscaping, parking and si
16/02/2011
O'Keefe Construction Ltd has been fined after a teenager suffered horrific burns to his legs at its depot in Sevenoaks, Kent. The court heard that on 26 October 2009, an 18-year-old man, who asked not to be named, was in a shed at the site, spraypainting a lighting tower. The employee used thinners
15/02/2011
A multi-million euro extension to Sligo General Hospital looks set to go ahead with news that the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Mary Coughlan, has just announced the completion of the required cost-benefit analysis for the project. She has therefore given her approval for the HSE t
15/02/2011
Two NI banks have the poor state of the housing market in focus with news from the Bank of Ireland that the average house price fell again last year. However, as Alan Bridle from the Bank of Ireland was commenting on the latest survey of domestic property prices that showed a fall of 7.7% last year
15/02/2011
An Omagh-based developer has been declared bankrupt. Seamus P Leonard owner of Leonard Bros Construction has worked on a variety of ambitious projects throughout Ireland. The County Tyrone house builder was behind the Ros Mor development in Donegal Town. It is a sign of the times as activity in
15/02/2011
The award-winning Patton Fit-Out has set up a specialist Heritage team to service its growing portfolio of museums' contracts. The team will be led by Dominic Sore who has extensive experience in this niche sector, having worked on a variety of high profile project throughout the UK, Europe and Nor
15/02/2011
There's a row brewing over news of wasted cash after a major Co Antrim road project has been abruptly shelved. Following the revelation that the Roads Service has already spent £16m on the A2, Roy Beggs MLA has again questioned why the Minister proposes to commit £675m on the (separate) A5 before c
15/02/2011
A special 'VIP' guest, the Northern Ireland Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has addressed guests and pupils at the official opening of Lisnagelvin Primary School, Londonderry. Speaking at the ceremony the Sinn Fein Minister said: "The opening of this building and facilities is a fitting celebr
14/02/2011
Activity in the Irish construction sector continued to weaken in January, but the pace of deterioration slowed from the drop in December as the severe winter weather eased. The Ulster Bank construction purchasing managers' index - a seasonally adjusted index which tracks changes in total constructi
14/02/2011
Ireland's very soil and rocks may yield a massive boost for the all-Ireland economy with news today that the Stormont Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has launched a £4m, EU-funded geological project to carry out further analysis of Northern Ireland's natural resources. The cross-border Tellus Bor
14/02/2011
A controversal cross-border road project is set to go to a Public Inquiry. The NI Regional Development Minister, Sinn Fein's Conor Murphy today announced that a Public Inquiry will be held into the proposed A5 Western Transport Corridor dualling project. The recent formal consultation period asso
14/02/2011
Newry Chamber of Trade and Commerce has welcomed the announcement by Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster and Environment Minister Edwin Poots that a £38m Business Park will be built adjacent to the Carnbane Business Park. It comes as a result of 73 acres of land being acquired by Invest Northern Ire
14/02/2011
Just days after a warning that some hospitals in NI may have to close to 'help balance the books', the NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey, has this week cut the first sod to mark the beginning of the latest major phase of redevelopment at the Ulster Hospital. He gave the good news as research co
14/02/2011
Innovative used plant and equipment auction website Mr Machinery is set to share some of its buying and selling secrets after launching a series of free top tips guides. Available to download in user-friendly PDF format from
11/02/2011
The same firm of architects that built a former Dundalk cigarette factory has now led a huge refurbishment programme to turn it into a modern, new facility at the Dundalk Institute of Technology. Brian Cowen has officially opened the building, which formerly housed the PJ Carroll & Company factory
11/02/2011
A new £38m business park is to be built along the border in South Down, the Stormont Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster and Environment Minister Edwin Poots announced on Friday. The construction industry will also benefit from a major jobs boost when the park is built beside Newry's Carnbane Industr
11/02/2011
The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Éamon Ó Cuív, today 8 February 2011, noted the publication by the Environmental Protection Agency of the National Waste Report for 2009. The report provides vital data in assessing the performance of Ireland in the management of its
11/02/2011
Morgan Allen, the Dublin 3 area's newest estate and letting agency, has seen a gradual increase in Dublin rental prices lately. After a quiet Christmas period, rental enquiries in the Dublin 3 area are on the increase according to Barry Toal of Morgan Allen: "We have seen a steady increase in both
11/02/2011
A Co Antrim-based construction sector business, Purepipe, is targeting new export sales worth £1m with support from Invest Northern Ireland. Dunmurry's Purepipe is using a highly advanced form of filament winding technology to manufacture a pure glass reinforced plastic (GRP) pipe. The developmen
11/02/2011
NI's FP McCann has won the contract to supply specially designed Ready Mix Concrete to Dale Farm's premises in Ballymena. The dairy business, Dale Farm is extending their premises in the Pennybridge Industrial Estate, and required a large quantity of Ready Mix Concrete for their extended yard. T
10/02/2011
Anxiety over falling house prices, job security and obtaining an affordable mortgage continued to prop up rental values in Belfast in 2010. However, a new report also revealed today that after the hefty 7% jump in private rent prices recorded over the first nine months of 2010, prices fell by 4.6%
10/02/2011
A large scale building project for a retirement village proposed for the foot of the Dublin mountains near Sandyford may be closer to development after a local authority meeting. Councillors in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council are to consider a motion to amend their development plan specifical
10/02/2011
Transport Minister Conor Murphy has welcomed Roads Service’s progress on investment totalling £12million in the Derry City Council area this year. Speaking ahead of this afternoon's meeting between Roads Service and Derry City Council, the Minister said: "Roads Service is committed to ensuring that
10/02/2011
Some of Waterford's poorest residents have been handed a boost with the Little Sisters of the Poor - who have been caring for senior citizens since 1868 - celebrating their new St. Joseph's complex, complete with new chapel at Abbey Road, Ferrybank. Built at a cost of €23m St. Joseph's comprises 50
10/02/2011
A former industrial site in the heart of the West Midlands is being transformed into 106 affordable new homes. The £17million site in Bagnall St, West Bromwich is being led by client, Midland Heart Housing, in partnership with Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, the Homes and Communities Agency
10/02/2011
Rape and sexual assault victims in NI are to be given fresh support with news that Stormont Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey this week laid the foundations for a new £2m regional centre for victims of sexual assault. The new Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) is to be built in the grounds of A
09/02/2011
The Irish High Court has directed that an auction of the deposits and corresponding assets of Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Nationwide Building Society can take place immediately. The move follows an application by the Minister for Finance to the court and is the first step in the winding down of the
09/02/2011
The Titanic will live again in Belfast with news that the City Council is to hold two months of events to mark the 100th anniversary of the launch of gigantic RMS Titanic in east Belfast. Exhibitions, talks, plays and special commemorations all will be part of the 'Titanic 100' programme, which sta
09/02/2011
Land & Property Services (LPS), the agency responsible for collecting rates, is urging householders to be on their guard against bogus callers. The warning follows an incident in recent days in the Belfast area. A caller, claiming to be a council tax official, tried to obtain credit card details
09/02/2011
A chapel that was originally ruined by fire on Christmas Day 2009 is now set to rise from the ashes over the next five years as part of a multi-million euro project. The Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise, Colm O'Reilly, has this month announced that a contract had been signed with a design team of
09/02/2011
Leading roof window specialists are offering expert advice to the Northern Irish market. VELUX are returning to Belfast's SelfBuild Show on 18th 19th and 20th of February with a team of experts to help Northern Ireland's self-builders, extenders and renovators create their dream homes. With their
08/02/2011
A special Valentine’s Campaign is promoting Architecture as a priority to improve the quality of the built environment. Isabel Barros Architects “I Love Architecture” campaign is giving people the chance to have a free consultation worth €100 with a registered RIAI architect. The campaign aims to
08/02/2011
Northern Ireland's housing market is on the turn - according to one interpretation of the latest survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The RICS said that, despite the slow market, surveyors remain cautiously optimistic about future prospects, with the sales expectations net
08/02/2011
Recent graduates of ECO-UNESCO’s FETAC training courses will be honoured at an awards ceremony later in the Greenhouse, Dublin. These awards celebrate participants upskilling for the green economy. The ceremony will include presentation with a FETAC Award in recognition of participants work on EC
08/02/2011
The search has begun to find the top apprentice in Northern Ireland. Nominations for the Apprentice of the Year Awards 2011 are now open and will close at noon on Wednesday 9 March. This is the 10th year of the awards. These awards recognise the apprentices who are taking their future into their
08/02/2011
Four construction sector companies were among eight Northern Ireland firms to attend a briefing recently hosted by Invest NI on doing business in Bulgaria. It was given by Tomislav Donchev, the Bulgarian Minister responsible for the Management of EU Funds and saw the executive urging them to seize
08/02/2011
Specialist Contractors continue to face difficult trading conditions according to the latest NSCC State of Trade Survey. The results for the fourth quarter of 2010 show that the market remains unstable and, with only 29% of respondents reporting an increase in enquiries and 33% an increase in orde
07/02/2011
The next few years will be critical for beleaguered builders in Co Galway. That's according to construction industry statistics, which suggest the Galway area is facing a chronic shortage of new homes until 2016. A builders' group has now suggested developers should now be 'sitting down with finan
07/02/2011
Rents across the country have fallen by 0.6% on last year, according to a report from the property website, Daft.ie. The fall shows a steadying of the market when compared to the shocking drop of 15% in 2009's rent prices. Daft.ie said the figures will come as no small relief to landlords and that
07/02/2011
The amount of funding available for public housing in NI was discussed this week as the NI Social Development Minister, Alex Attwood met with housing, construction and charity representatives to discuss the draft housing budget. The main focus was the fact that a 30% reduction in the housing budget
07/02/2011
Donegal County Council Public Art Office in partnership with the Irish Architecture Foundation and the RIAI (Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland) has launched an architectural competition for the design of a Play Space in Killybegs, Co. Donegal. The promoters are seeking to make this one s
07/02/2011
A water industry conference taking place in Northern Ireland is generating significant interest among water professionals in the region. Conor Murphy MP, Minister for Regional Development, will address Water NI 2011, which takes place on Wednesday 16th March 2011 at the Hilton Hotel in Belfast.
07/02/2011
Businesses across Belfast are being urged to apply for the Belfast Business Awards as soon as possible as the closing date for entries is two weeks away. Belfast City Council will host the prestigious event in the City Hall on Thursday 14 April with 21 awards up for grabs in recognition of the fine
04/02/2011
Irish construction services group Kentz has announced the award of an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract worth in excess of US$30million by Abu Dhabi Gas Industries Ltd (GASCO). Kentz’s scope of work is to replace the existing emergency shutdown (ESD) system and associated fie
04/02/2011
Fortfield Construction has scooped a prestigious Master Builder of the Year Award, taking the prize for Best Large Renovation Project in Northern Ireland. The north Belfast firm will now go through to compete in the national Master Builder of the Year Awards with the winners to be announced on Marc
04/02/2011
The green light has given to a number of major school developments in Donegal South West. A new mainstream, 24-classroom school and ancillary accommodation is to be provided for Scoil Mhuire in Stranorlar while a substantial extension and refurbishment has been approved for Deele College in Raphoe
04/02/2011
Construction workloads fell during the last quarter of 2010, as government spending cuts and a lack of commercial finance took their toll on the industry, says the latest RICS Construction Market Survey. Five per cent more surveyors reported total construction workloads fell rather than rose in Q4
04/02/2011
Builders could be really turning 'green' soon with news that a Sligo-based developer has been given high-level support for plans for the building of a walking and cycling 'greenway' on part of Ireland's western rail corridor. Subject to a feasibility study by Mayo and Sligo county councils - Fine G
04/02/2011
Public Services has appointed Lagan Construction, a leading airfield construction specialists, as its preferred bidder for the essential maintenance and improvements at Guernsey Airport. Lagan Construction, which has completed more 35 airfield projects worldwide in the past 10 years, was one of f
04/02/2011
An NI Housing Executive (NIHE) contractor, PK Murphy has promised it will work closely with residents as over 130 homes in north Belfast's Ardoyne get external improvements at a cost of almost £300,000. The homes were built by the NIHE between 1976 and 1994 and work is being carried out as part of
04/02/2011
ConstructionSkills has released its latest Construction Skills Network forecasts for the 2011-15 period. The Sector Skills Council (SSC) warned that the industry in Northern Ireland still faces a tough year in 2011 with employment levels likely to drop to just over 60,000 in 2011 before the sector
03/02/2011
Limerick's first new housing development under the coming Regeneration programme will begin in April. A request for tenders for the building programme will go out this week as Regeneration advertised publicly for tenders for this new housing development at Cliona Park, Moyross, which will be the fi
03/02/2011
A Co Antrim waste management company has been fined £60,000 after an employee died at their landfill site in Mallusk - tragically under tonnes of rubbish. BIFFA Waste Services Ltd. was fined at Belfast's Laganside Courts on Wednesday morning, after 23-year-old supervisor David Layland was killed in
03/02/2011
Boosting the construction sector is one of the key issues in the economic recovery of the entire economy. That's according to the Scottish Government, Northern Ireland Executive and Welsh Assembly Government who have issued a call to the UK Government to take urgent action following last year's Com
03/02/2011
Over 100 CIOB members and guests celebrated the success of local students at the CIOB 2011 Annual Lecture and Awards ceremony held in January hosted by CITB-ConstructionSkills NI. The presentation focused on 'The Titanic Signature Project, Building an Icon' and was delivered by, Rory Miskelly EC Ha
03/02/2011
There are around 150 construction jobs in the wind in Belfast's Harbour Estate, which is hoping to sign a deal with a Danish wind turbine company. This should lead to the creation of over 450 new jobs in total and is expected to result in a £40m investment for the city, with the firm using the harb
03/02/2011
A new midwifery led unit has opened its doors at Lagan Valley hospital in Co Antrim. The unit - in Lisburn - has been modelled on Dundonald's Ulster Hospital Maternity has three out of the four rooms with their own birthing pool and en-suite facilities NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said: "T
02/02/2011
Local business air cool engineering (NI) Ltd has successfully signed an initial three year contract to maintain air conditioning, heating and ventilation systems at Northern Ireland's most efficient power station. Coolkeeragh Power Station at Campsie, in the North West of the province, has awarded
02/02/2011
Road builders hoping for lucrative contracts may have to wait for a while as it has been claimed that Galway doesn't need a proposed new outer bypass route. Improved public transport should be tried instead, says an organisation opposing the construction of a new road and bridge as part of the sche
02/02/2011
Ten of NI's leading construction companies are taking part - along with a further 10 subcontractors from each of their respective supply chains - in a new training programme, which aims to improve business sustainability in Northern Ireland's construction sector. This training programme is the r
02/02/2011
The Stormont Energy Minister Arlene Foster has welcomed the announcement to reduce the climate change levy charges on gas supplies for Northern Ireland businesses. The announcement to replace the climate change levy exemption for supplies of gas in Northern Ireland to a lower rate from 1 April, was
01/02/2011
There has been an SOS call to 'Save Our Sirocco' as fears grow over the future of a plan to redevelop the formerly world-famous Sirocco Work's site in east Belfast. The proposed developer, the Carvill Group has this week revealed it was planning to enter a Creditors Voluntary Arrangement to avoid f
01/02/2011
Ennis Town Council has entered into a contract with Sports Surfaces Ireland Ltd's Total Play Solutions for the provision of playground facilities at Tim Smythe Park in Ennis. Work on the €209,000 project is scheduled for completion by the June Bank Holiday weekend. Welcoming the construction of th
01/02/2011
The NI Energy Minister Arlene Foster has welcomed the establishment of the Offshore Renewable Energy Forum. The Forum has been set up following the publication last year of the Department Of Enterprise, Trade and Investment's (DETI) draft Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan. This recomm
01/02/2011
A century-long link between the SS Nomadic and Belfast's Harland & Wolff shipyard is about to be rekindled. The name made famous for building the Titanic has just been awarded a £2m contract by the Department for Social Development (DSD) who own the Nomadic, to carry out restoration work on the ve
01/02/2011
Smaller firms who supply the construction and engineering sectors are set for a boost with news that the DCU Business School and the Irish Institute of Purchasing & Materials Management (IIPMM) have won a €1.4m EU contract to help small Irish indigenous suppliers win more business from the public se
01/02/2011
Innovative used plant and equipment auction website
