Environment News

New SEAI Strategy Sets Course for Revolution in Ireland’s Energy Use

By Ryan Harmon 30 June 2022

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) launched its new Statement of Strategy 2022-2025 entitled ‘Delivering Ireland’s Energy Revolution’. This comes at a vitally important time for the authority and the country. Against a backdrop of ever-increasing climate action ambition and the unprecedented global challenge of energy security, the strategy sets a path for

Environment News Technology

Joint Research Mechanism on Climate and Agriculture Launched Between Ireland and New Zealand

By Ryan Harmon 13 May 2022

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue TD, and Minister of State with special responsibility for research and innovation Martin Heydon TD, have launched a new joint research mechanism with the New Zealand Minister for Agriculture, Damien O’Connor MP. The Joint Research Mechanism (JRM) will focus on reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and […]

Business Council Partners News

Easing of Restrictions Sees Q1 Dublin Employment Accelerate at Fastest Rate Since 2018

By Ryan Harmon 19 April 2022

The latest PMI survey, from S&P Global, shows that business activity in Dublin experienced a sharp and accelerated increase in Q1 as the COVID-19 Omicron wave faded. The headline rate increased to 60.1, from 59.4 in Q4, marking four successive quarters of growth. Activity strengthened across all three monitored sectors, led by construction. Output across the rest of

Business News

All Irish Workers Will Be Entitled to Sick Pay for the First Time Under New law

By Ryan Harmon 31 March 2022

The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar has received government approval for new laws to give all Irish workers the right to paid sick leave for the first time. The Sick Leave Bill 2022 was approved by Cabinet yesterday and will legislate for a statutory sick pay scheme for all employees, […]

Business Health News

Business Welcomes Government Announcement on Plans for Reopening

By Ryan Harmon 31 January 2022

Ibec, the group that represents Irish business, has welcomed the announcement from Government of the significant easing of most Covid public health restrictions. Ibec also welcomed that the announcement signalled that greater personal responsibility for individuals and autonomy for businesses in their office operations will be afforded in this next phase.  Ibec CEO Danny

Business News

Jim Woulfe and Lucinda Woods Appointed to the Board of Enterprise Ireland

By Ryan Harmon 25 January 2022

Former Dairygold CEO Jim Woulfe has been appointed to the board of Enterprise Ireland alongside financial strategist Lucinda Woods. Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar announced the appointment. It follows the publication this week of Enterprise Ireland’s results for 2021 which shows that companies supported by the State body

Business Council Partners Financial News

Omicron Sees Business Activity in Dublin Expand at Softer Pace in Q4

By Ryan Harmon 21 January 2022

The latest PMI survey shows that business activity in Dublin continued to increase during the final quarter of 2021 but at the slowest rate since Q1 when Ireland was in full lockdown. While the headline rate remained elevated at 59.4 it slowed from 62.1 in Q3, as the emergence of the Omicron variant at the end […]

Business News

Kerry County Council Local Enterprise Office Clients Created Over 300 Jobs in 2021

By Ryan Harmon 21 January 2022

Local Enterprise Office Kerry now supporting over 285 small businesses and 1,272 jobs according to new figures. 313 new jobs created in 2021. 12% job increase from 2020. Net employment gain of 145 in 2021. 285 total small businesses employing 1,272 people supported by LEO Kerry. The net jobs created by Local Enterprise Office Kerry supported […]

Business Financial News

EI Targets Post-Crisis Exports Recovery for Indigenous Firms

By Ryan Harmon 20 January 2022

Enterprise Ireland (EI) is aiming to increase exports by its client companies by nearly 20pc to €30bn within the next three years, according to the latest strategy plan by the State agency. EI, which supports indigenous manufacturing and services companies, also intends to add 15,000 net jobs per year in that time, as it steers […]

Business News Technology

Advantio Creates 40 Jobs in Sligo With Establishment of Cybersecurity HQ

By Ryan Harmon 19 January 2022

Advantio, a Cybersecurity provider specialising in Professional Services, Managed Security Solutions and  SaaS security and compliance solutions, has announced the establishment of its European Cybersecurity HQ in Sligo, with the creation of approximately 40 jobs over the next three years. Established in 2009, Advantio is one of Europe’s leading privately owned

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New Community Activities Fund Launched in Clare

By Ryan Harmon 17 January 2022

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien TD, recently announced a €9 million fund to support community groups impacted by Covid-19 over the past two years. The Community Activities Fund under the Community Enhancement Programme will support groups,

Business News

Record of Job Creation by Enterprise Ireland Companies in 2021

By Ryan Harmon 12 January 2022

The number of employees employed by Enterprise Ireland (EI) backed firms rose by 11,911 last year, despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is the highest job gain recorded by clients of a state agency in a single year. 207,894 people now work for companies assisted by EI, whose mission is the development and […]

Council Partners History News

The Plenipotentiaries and Dún Laoghaire

By Ryan Harmon 11 January 2022

Dún Laoghaire featured regularly in the life of the members of the Irish Delegation as the port of departure and arrival on the regular journeys between Ireland and England. However, two of the five plenipotentiaries had much closer ties to the town – George Gavan Duffy and Eamonn Duggan. The first was the town’s first […]

Business Financial News

Highvern Opens Irish Office

By Ryan Harmon 11 January 2022

Highvern has established an Irish office, led by country head Philip Dempsey and directors Adrian Bailie and Emma Keane in three new appointments. The Irish office will provide corporate and fund administration services to both regulated and unregulated structures ranging across debt, capital markets, real estate, infrastructure, private equity, and other alternative asset

Education News

Education Indicators for Ireland 2021 Report Published

By Ryan Harmon 29 December 2021

The Minister for Education, Norma Foley, and the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, announced the publication of Education Indicators for Ireland 2021 – which presents a comprehensive set of educational indicators for the education system in Ireland. The indicators in this report cover all levels of education starting

Council Partners Environment News Transport

Have a Greener, Calmer Christmas With Public Transport

By Ryan Harmon 10 December 2021

Cork City Council, in association with Bus Éireann, Iarnród Éireann and An Garda Síochana, is encouraging members of the public to leave their cars at home and make use of public transport this Christmas season. Travelling around Cork by bus this Christmas is easier and more affordable than ever. Bus Éireann operates 25 routes on […]

Business Health News

100 New Jobs Created at BD Drogheda’s New Production Facilities

By Ryan Harmon 10 December 2021

100 new jobs have been created in BD Drogheda’s new production facilities with a €62 million investment in new equipment to expand its production of BD PosiFlush™ syringes at its Donore Road site. The new 52,000sq ft facility has started production and 50 of the 100 new jobs have been filled. The remaining career opportunities will […]

Council Partners News

Europe Direct Bridges Gap Between EU Institutions and Donegal Citizens

By Ryan Harmon 1 December 2021

Letterkenny has retained its Europe Direct office after seven new generation Europe Direct centres were announced by the European Commission as part of a revamping of its network of information and communication points around Europe.  The facility at Central Library in Letterkenny has been there for over a decade, providing invaluable information to citizens on the

Financial News

Minister Humphreys Announces Payment of Christmas Bonus to 1.4m People Next Week

By Ryan Harmon 1 December 2021

Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced that the Christmas Bonus will be paid to some 1.4 million people next week. As part of the Budget 2022 discussions, Minister Humphreys secured a 100% bonus again this year, at a cost of over €313 million. Christmas Bonus are paid to pensioners, carers, people with […]

Housing News

Updated Homelessness Measures to Fight the Crisis

By Ryan Harmon 25 November 2021

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, has updated Cabinet colleagues on recent homelessness measures and other trends and policy actions. Minister O’Brien informed colleagues of his intention to publish a new Housing First National Implementation Plan covering the period 2022 to 2026, to establish a new National Homeless Action