MOCC December meeting will discuss funding sources and supports

Fri, Nov 30, 2012

December’s Mayo Open Coffee Club meeting will take place on Wednesday, December 5, in the Innovation in Business Centre (IiBC) at GMIT Castlebar at 9.30am and there will be a distinctly Christmas feel to the event.

Jobseekers encouraged to avail of temporary work over the Christmas season

Fri, Nov 30, 2012

The Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, has reassured people getting Jobseeker’s Benefit or Jobseeker’s Allowance from the Department of Social Protection that if they get temporary work over the Christmas period their Jobseeker’s payment will be reinstated without delay when they finish work.

Irish retailers predict a drop in Christmas trading

Fri, Nov 30, 2012

Irish retailers are predicting a drop of -0.47 per cent in Christmas 2012 trading, according to a survey published by Retail Excellence Ireland (REI), Ireland’s largest retail industry trade body.

New loan options for Mayo’s small businesses

Fri, Nov 30, 2012

There is some welcome news for small businesses in Mayo which have been refused credit by the banks. Under a new Government scheme, operated by Microfinance Ireland, the owners of ‘micro-enterprises’ and new start-ups can now apply through the Mayo County Enterprise Board for loans of up to €25,000.

Mayo CEB receives €105,000 for twenty job creation projects

Fri, Nov 30, 2012

Twenty job creation projects in Mayo will receive funding before the end of the year following the announcement of a €3.8 million grant by the Minister for Small Business John Perry this week.

How to use Twitter to grow your business

Fri, Nov 23, 2012

Ireland is home to some of the world's leading digital companies from Facebook to Google and Yahoo to Twitter. One cannot help but notice the growth in digital media, its constant evolution and its use as a tool to promote people, products, and businesses.

Twenty nine work permits for non-nationals issued in Mayo in 2012

Fri, Nov 23, 2012

In 2006 IT giant Google was granted 49 work permits for non-nationals to work in Ireland but by 2011 this had risen to 149. Migration experts www.visafirst.com say that Google is just one of a number of IT multinationals based throughout the country that have encountered a skills shortage in Ireland of late and have had to go overseas to source staff with the skills necessary for their various vacancies in IT specialist roles.

According to Edwina Shanahan, manager with www.visafirst.com: “Year to date there have been 29 work permits issued to companies in Mayo. By the end of last year this figure had reached 42. While these permits were granted to fill employment vacancies across a number of industries, the IT sector is one which has seen the highest increase in demand of late. There has been unprecedented demand from the IT industry demanding skilled staff and permits for non-nationals as the skill level required is just not available here in Ireland at the moment. Companies in the IT sector have announced over 1,500 vacancies this year that have yet to be filled, and our own experience is that in a large number of cases the employer ends up having to look overseas.”

Ballintubber couple win InterTradeIreland Seedcorn regional final

Fri, Nov 16, 2012

Full Health Medical, founded and owned by Ballintubber based Paul McCarthy and Dr Ann Shortt, was named the best emerging company at the Connacht and Leinster final of the 2012 InterTradeIreland Seedcorn all-island business competition.

Major Mayo tweet up for Connacht’s #SME community

Fri, Nov 16, 2012

If the people of Ireland are looking for a demonstration of positive growth, they do not have to look any further than the Twitter group #SMEcommunity.

Folly of sick pay proposals highlighted as jobs crisis escalates — Calleary

Fri, Nov 09, 2012

Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Jobs Dara Calleary has said the latest Live Register figures show that the jobs crisis continues to deteriorate and that the Government’s jobs strategy is not working. Deputy Calleary has again appealed to the Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton not to make things worse by introducing a statutory sick pay scheme.

Reduce your business’s electricity bills

Fri, Nov 09, 2012

Castlebar Chamber is hosting a free information evening to help people manage energy usage in their businesses and homes.

Pharmacies increasingly pessimistic about business prospects

Fri, Nov 09, 2012

Pharmacists in Ireland are becoming increasingly less optimistic about the prospects for their business, according to the latest quarterly survey by the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU).

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