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.

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.

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.

This is the view of Labour councillor Niall McNelis who is calling on Galway city and county businesses and organisations to take part in the new ‘JobBridge’ National Internship Scheme.

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.

New Reduced VAT rate due to start from next week

Thu, Jun 23, 2011

As part of the Jobs Initiative outlined by the new Government earlier this year, a second reduced VAT rate of nine per cent is to be introduced from  July 1 2011 to December 31 2013 to help the economy grow and increase job creation, especially in the tourism sector.  

Students scoop top prize for surfer website at NUI Galway Student Enterprise Awards

Thu, Jun 16, 2011

A surfing website designed by two students, which has the potential to develop tourism in the west of Ireland, has scooped the top prize of €15,000 at the NUI Galway Student Enterprise Awards held this week. The creators of WestCoastSurfer.com were presented with their prize by Minister of State for Small Business, John Perry T.D., NUI Galway President, Dr James J. Browne and NUI Galway Students’ Union President, Peter Mannion.

WestCoastSurfer.com is the brainchild of Oisin Halpin and Cian Brassil. Oisin is a third year Earth and Ocean Science student from Achill Island, Co. Mayo, whilst Cian is a second year Information Technology student from Kilcolgan, Co. Galway. Their goal is to design, build, promote, develop and manage the premier Irish surfing website.

Bee Green launches environmentally-friendly drycleaning in Galway

Thu, Jun 16, 2011

Bee Green Dry Cleaners officially launched its environmentally friendly brand to the Irish market on Tuesday at its Briarhill Shopping Centre branch. The Langan family were joined by Mayor of Galway City Cllr. Mike Crowe and members of the Galway business community to mark this event. Bee Green is the only 100 per cent green dry cleaners in Ireland, using biodegradable detergents which are non-allergenic, non-irritating and odour free.

Presenting with Confidence for Business

Thu, Jun 16, 2011

The ability to influence others is essential for business owners, salespeople and other representatives of an organisation. Presentations are often an essential element in making deals, closing sales and influencing opinion, but the best prepared presentation can go desperately wrong when the presenter has “stage fright”. Many Irish people are terrified at the thought of presenting to an audience.

New DERI spin out Seevl, reinvents music discovery

Thu, Jun 09, 2011

A spin-out company from the Digital Enterprise Research Institute (DERI) at NUI Galway is bringing a new experience to music lovers.

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