Small businesses overpaying VAT by up to €14,000

Fri, Aug 16, 2013

Irish businesses are overpaying thousands of euro in VAT due to a lack of familiarity with the complexities of Ireland’s VAT regime, according to research conducted by business software and services provider Sage.

Claremorris native appointed new chief executive of Sightsavers Ireland

Fri, Aug 09, 2013

Sightsavers Ireland has announced the appointment of Michael Marren from Claremorris as its new chief executive. Michael will replace John Fleming who has taken up a new position with the Rehab Group following 10 years with the organisation. Michael has served as head of operations of Sightsavers Ireland for the past two years and will bring a wealth of commercial and management experience to the role, having previously spent many years in the financial sector. Michael is a passionate advocate for equal opportunities for people with disabilities and is committed to seeking support for fledgling states to establish and develop their health systems in order to tackle the causes of preventable blindness in the developing world, while continuing the organisation’s strong support for post-conflict countries, particularly in Africa.

Subdued demand for business funding in Connacht

Fri, Aug 09, 2013

Demand for business finance remains low, with only four in 10 companies in Connacht planning to raise finance in the next 12 months, according to results of the latest Close Brothers Business Barometer.

The survey also revealed that of the firms which plan to raise finance, just a quarter will utilise bank funding, while the majority of business owners in Connacht will rely on private equity, government grants, or turn to family for financial support.

Swinford Eurospar manager receives national recognition

Fri, Aug 09, 2013

Swinford Eurospar manager Anne Reynolds has been named as News Department Manager of the Year 2013, by independent trade magazine Shelflife as part of the Grocery Retail Awards in Management (GRAM) awards. Ms Reynolds was recognised among a number of retail managers across the country as being a standout leader within the Irish retail grocery industry. The GRAMs, now in its eighth year, is the first and only national management award scheme exclusively devoted to recognising the best managers in the Irish retail, wholesale and off-licence sectors.

Construction Contracts Bill will protect contractors and their staff

Fri, Aug 02, 2013

Fine Gael TD for Mayo, Michelle Mulherin, has welcomed the passing of the Construction Contracts’ Bill which delivers on the Programme for Government commitment to introduce new legislation to protect all small building subcontractors denied payments from bigger companies.

JobBridge demeaning and exploitive to teachers — Ruane

Fri, Aug 02, 2013

Sinn Féin councillor Thérèse Ruane has said advertisements carried on the JobBridge website that seek to employ primary school teachers for €50 a week are “exploitive and demeaning to the teaching profession.”

Business activity lower in Connacht hardware stores survey reveals

Fri, Aug 02, 2013

A survey conducted by Hardware Association Ireland (HAI) among its retail members indicates that overall business activity in hardware stores in Connacht is eight per cent lower than their counterparts in Dublin and the rest of Leinster.

Commenting on the survey, HAI chief executive Jim Copeland said: “Among our 51 retail members in Connacht, many firms are family-owned businesses who make a valuable contribution to the local economy. But the continuous erosion of consumer spend, the cost of pay parking, rising business rates and poor services such as lack of access to broadband, are compounding a situation that is already at breaking point.”

Bonanza for Mayo forestry owners

Fri, Aug 02, 2013

Those who invested in forestry in Mayo 15 to 20 years ago could be in the position to reap up to €10,000 per acre according to SWS Forestry. With almost 11 per cent of land in Mayo afforested, those who invested in forestry back then could be in line to cash in. Michael Moran, area manager for Mayo for SWS Forestry, speaking following the company’s annual strategy meeting in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim, last week said the early planted part of the national estate is now in the timber production phase and returning attractive dividends to these pioneers.

Westport businesswoman addresses Young Fine Gael about job creation

Fri, Jul 26, 2013

Westport entrepreneurship expert and media commentator Olwen Dawe was one of four guest speakers at a Young Fine Gael seminar entitled Job Creation Creates Ireland’s Future at the Garret FitzGerald Summer School in Kilkenny last weekend.

Five Mayo companies contribute to Ireland’s export success

Fri, Jul 26, 2013

Five Mayo based companies exported goods to the value of €709 million in the past year landing them a place on the Top 250 Exporters in Ireland and Northern Ireland list.

Taoiseach announces 10 engineering jobs in Mayo company

Fri, Jul 19, 2013

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny announced the creation of 10 new jobs for Ireland’s engineering sector on Wednesday.

Two Mayo Natives Scoop Prestigious Fulbright Award

Fri, Jul 19, 2013

Thirty-seven Fulbright Awardees were officially announced at an event on MS The World, which was sponsored by a US Fulbright alumnus, Dr Jack Pinkowski and his wife Monica Pinkowski, as part of The Gathering on July 12. Since 1957, the Fulbright Awards are given annually by the Irish and US governments and provide Irish students, scholars, and professionals with the opportunity to study, lecture, and research at top universities and institutions throughout the United States.

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