A traditional barometer of the construction industry environment in Ireland is the number of cranes punctuating the Dublin skyline. “The crane count in Dublin reached a record 123 in March 2019 – the fifth consecutive month when the survey recorded a new high,” pointed out Tom Moloney, Managing Director of CIS (Construction Information Services), when […]
Infrastructure
Having welcomed 31.5 million passengers during 2018 – a new record – Dublin Airport is currently being expanded to ultimately cater for more than 20 million additional passengers.
“We are building an airport to accommodate 55 million passengers a year,” pointed out Brian Collier (pictured above), Head of Construction Procurement at daa (Dublin Airport Authority), when […]
“If there is a ‘crash-out’, we will be ready. We are working 24/7,” said Maurice Buckley (pictured), Chairman of the Office of Public Works (OPW) and Vice President of Engineers Ireland, about preparations for installing infrastructure at ports and airports in the event of a ‘no deal Brexit’. “Eighteen separate construction projects are now underway […]
IT Sligo has been successful in its application of funding for the development and upgrade of the K&L Block on the north campus. The €13.7 million capital investment will be provided through the Higher Education Authority. This funding will facilitate the consolidation on campus of the recently established Yeats Academy of Arts, Design and Architecture and […]
There is still time left to register to attend the fifth National Construction Summit, which will be held on Thursday, 14th March 2019 at the Citywest Exhibition Centre in Dublin.
The staging of the National Construction Summit is timely with construction industry output in the Republic of Ireland predicted to expand by 20% to €24 billion […]
Over 300 delegates attended the recent Ireland Chapter of Project Management Institute’s (PMI) sold-out annual national conference in Cork. The conference, with headline sponsor EY, heard that strategic project management of regional infrastructure is vital to ensure stabilisation and future growth of the Irish economy.
Speaking at the conference, which was held for the first time […]
Limerick civil engineering company Roadbridge is gearing up to begin work on the N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin construction project. The contract was won in the latter months of last year. The extensive €150 million development scheme, which is expected to last for a period of two years, will open up in excess of 100 jobs during […]
The fifth National Construction Summit will be held on Thursday, 14th March 2019 at the Citywest Exhibition Centre in Dublin.
Incorporating a number of complementary events and an extensive array of seminars, workshops and exhibition stands, showcasing the latest products, services and technology for the construction, engineering, sustainable building, maintenance and architectural sectors, the 2019 National […]
EirGrid has welcomed the decision by the Supreme Court to uphold planning approval for the southern section of the North South Interconnector. Planning approval for the project was granted by An Bord Pleanála in December 2016.
This was subsequently made the subject of judicial review proceedings in the High Court. The proceedings were dismissed by the High […]
The inaugural Northern Ireland Construction Expo in tandem with the Northern Ireland Smart & Green Building Expo will be held at the Titanic Exhibition Centre, Belfast, on Wednesday, 13th February 2019.
Construction industry output in Northern Ireland is predicted to grow by 6% to £3.2 billion in 2019 with tender price inflation increasing by around 2.5%, […]
ESB Networks has announced the results of three major tenders which will pave the way for a programme upgrading electricity meters to modern smart ready technology as a key part of the drive to combat climate change. The upgrade will enable smart electricity services from 2021 bringing benefits to the environment, the consumer and the […]
4site, the providers of innovative engineering solutions for major infrastructural developments in telecommunications, has appointed David Healy as Health, Safety, Environment and Quality Manager. Headquartered in Limerick, with offices in Dublin and the UK, 4site’s highly skilled in-house technical teams design, survey, build and maintain world-class communications networks, adapting technology, tools and processes to deliver […]
Actavo, a leading international engineering solutions company, has scooped the top ‘2018 CX Champion’ award at the Irish CX Impact Awards. It was selected from thirteen category winners to receive the overall winner award. Actavo also triumphed in winning the category for ‘CX Impact in Speciality’ which recognises best-in-class customer experience delivery.
The CX Impact awards […]
daa has awarded the main construction contract for Dublin Airport’s new North Runway to a joint venture comprising Irish firm Roadbridge and Spanish infrastructure company FCC Construcción (FCC). The contract is for the design and construction of the new 3.1 km North Runway at Dublin Airport. Mobilisation and preparatory site works will begin immediately, and […]
Efectis is establishing a new business in Northern Ireland, offering fire testing services to UK and Ireland based manufacturing businesses who are servicing the construction sector. Seven new roles will be created as part of Efectis’ investment, which is locating at Ulster University’s Fire Safety Engineering Research and Technology Centre in Jordanstown.
Welcoming the investment, Invest Northern Ireland’s […]
The CIF has welcomed the €2.3 billion housing package and the 24% increase in capital infrastructure funding announced by the Government in the recent Budget. However, the CIF has expressed disappointment that there was no clarity in relation to an extension of the Help to Buy scheme which is due to expire in December 2019.
Director […]
According to the Construction Industry Federation (CIF), the forthcoming Budget is an opportunity to remove a number of blockages in delivery of essential housing and infrastructure. The CIF has stated that the delivery of transformative housing and infrastructure requires more effective co-ordination between industry and government in three key areas: investing in skills and R&D, […]
Gavin and Doherty Geosolutions (GDG), an award-winning specialist firm focused on the delivery of infrastructure projects involving complex and challenging ground conditions, has been awarded the first stage of the European Commission’s SME INSTRUMENT, a support fund designed to accelerate the route to market for innovative SMEs with game changing ideas within their specific sectors. […]
A far-reaching plan for the creation of the Grand Canal Innovation District in Dublin has been launched. The proposal from Trinity College Dublin is modelled on innovation districts in cities such as Boston, Toronto, Rotterdam and Barcelona. It will significantly strengthen Ireland’s competitive advantage when developing new indigenous companies or competing for foreign direct investment. […]
The Port of Cork has marked a major milestone for the company with the launch of the new Cork Container Terminal development in Ringaskiddy. The Cork Container Terminal will initially offer a 360 metre quay with 13 metre depth alongside and will enable larger ships to berth in Ringaskiddy. The development also includes the construction […]
BAM’s construction of the new 23-storey Air Traffic Visual Control (ATVC) tower at Dublin Airport, which is set to become one of the tallest structures in Ireland, is taking shape with the complex installation of a 106 tonne steel ring now completed. The ring, which will form Floor 1 of the control cab, was hoisted […]
ESB and Bord na Móna have announce that financial close has been reached on the €160 million Oweninny project in North County Mayo. The project will be financed with long-term debt from a consortium of banks including the European Investment Bank (EIB), who are providing 50 per cent of the funding, as well as MUFG Bank, […]
Researchers from IT Sligo, together with colleagues from one of Switzerland’s leading universities, have made a discovery about how whirlpools function which has significant implications for how major infrastructural projects are approached and built including energy networks and flood defences around roads and railways. The study of whirlpool fluid flows discovered previously unknown features which are not predicted […]
Hundreds of international delegates interested in the opportunities and challenges facing ‘cities on the rise’ will travel to Cork next month, June 27-30 for the annual congress of the international Academy of Urbanism.
The controversial US ‘ godfather of gentrification’ , Richard Florida, who has been derided by some for espousing a development philosophy that forced working classes […]
Irish Water has recently begun an extensive programme of work to improve water supply and tackle leaks in the network across Tipperary as part of a €500 million national investment in leakage reduction. Current works include replacing over 13 km of old and damaged watermains, removing any lead service pipes found on the public network, […]
Roadbridge has won a Gold Award at the Considerate Constructors Scheme’s 2018 National Site Awards for its North Runway Construction Package 1 project at Dublin Airport. This is a huge achievement for the Irish construction industry, as it is the first project in Ireland to win a coveted gold award following the launch of the Scheme in Ireland […]
The Government has launched a ten-year programme of €1 billion in investment in flood relief measures including a first tranche of €257 million in funding for 50 new flood relief schemes to proceed to detailed design and construction. The Flood Risk Management Plans allow the Government to build on significant investment on flood defence schemes, […]
Of the anticipated €116 billion capital investment provided for in Project Ireland 2040, the Government’s policy and planning framework for the social, economic and cultural development of Ireland, the Office of Public Works (OPW) will be responsible for between €5 billion and €10 billion of this expenditure. Many of the projects involved will be small […]
The Carbon Trust has announced the launch of BLUE PILOT, a large-scale demonstration project aimed at reducing costs and underwater noise during construction of offshore wind farms as part of the Offshore Wind Accelerator (OWA). The BLUE PILOT project will deploy The BLUE Hammer, a new type of pile driver developed by Fistuca BV, a Dutch […]
NI Water has announced the completion of the first section of a 3.5 km watermain between Ally Hill Service Reservoir (SR), on the outskirts of Lough Bradan and Doochrock SR near Ederney, as part of a million pound investment to improve and safeguard the local water supply. The new upsized watermain will replace the old […]
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has agreed a Capital Expenditure Programme of over €742 million. The Three Year Capital Programme 2018-2020 will deliver a considerable number of infrastructural and housing projects that are of strategic importance to the County and the Region from both a social and an economic perspective. This will shape the development of […]
The CIF has welcomed the €115 billion investment in infrastructure announced by Government as a potential ‘game-changer for the construction industry, the economy and Irish society’. The announcement was made as part of the Government’s 10-year public capital programme and National Planning Framework.
Tom Parlon, Director General of the CIF, commented: “The significant commitment to infrastructure […]
The Government has published The National Development Plan 2018–2027, the most recent in the series of such capital plans adopted since 1988. The National Development Plan 2018–2027 is an ambitious plan designed to drive Ireland’s long term economic, environmental and social progress across all parts of the country over the next decade. The plan is […]
The construction industry has launched a transition year initiative to facilitate students interested in working in Ireland’s most innovative construction companies. The initiative will see students completing work experience in the offices of construction companies in addition to on construction sites.
Dermot Carey, Director, Safety & Training at CIF, said: “The construction industry has undergone significant […]
NI Water has announce that work has commenced on a £5 million project to improve the sewerage infrastructure in the Ormeau area, which will include Ormeau Avenue, Dublin Road, Bruce Street, Sandy Row and sections of the lower Ormeau Road.
Work commenced on 5th February 2018 on Adelaide Street, with work progressing from the Ormeau Avenue end. NI Water anticipates […]
Ulster Hospital’s new £95 million Acute Services Block, the largest live healthcare project in Ireland, has celebrated its topping out with the last piece of the structure being placed at the top of the building. Led by the GRAHAM-BAM Healthcare Partnership, a joint venture between GRAHAM Construction and BAM, the Acute Services Block is part […]
The Government has announced details of a €417 million investment programme for 2018 for regional and local roads. Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross TD, said: “I am very happy to be able to announce a significant and much needed increase in grant allocations for regional and local roads this year. Overall 2018 […]
Policies should aim to rebalance growth by encouraging regional development led by a small number of large urban centres outside Dublin, according to new ESRI research. If the current pattern of growth continues, it will lead to a further gap in prosperity between Dublin and the rest of the country. In Dublin, it will lead to additional […]
NI Water, the Department for Infrastructure, Education Authority and the Department of Education have announced that an innovative new rainwater garden to help reduce the risk of flooding has been completed at Clandeboye Primary School. £70,000 has been invested in the garden, which is an innovative flagship project for NI Water and the Department for […]
The Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Eoghan Murphy, TD, has launched the Donabate Distributor Road, which is the first LIHAF project under the Rebuilding Ireland programme to reach the construction stage.
The Minister, along with the Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Mary McCamley, and Fingal County Council Chief Executive, Paul Reid, turned the first sod on […]
The National BIM Council has published the first digital strategy for Ireland’s construction industry, titled a ‘Roadmap to Digital Transition’. Over the past 18 months, the council has consulted and researched, both domestically and internationally to offer a vision and direction for the sector that looks to achieve 20% reductions in cost, 20% reductions in […]
Fingal County Council has signed a €70 million Framework Loan Agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) which will trigger a €180 million investment in strategic infrastructure projects within the county’s Capital Development Plan. This represents the first EIB support for county-wide investment in partnership with an Irish local authority for more than a decade […]
Dublin City Council’s South Campshire Flood Protection Project has won the Engineers Ireland Excellence Award in the ‘Local Authority Engineering Initiative category’. Following recent extreme flood events, a review was carried out in Dublin city to look at the capacity of the existing coastal flood defences. This identified some areas of the south city as […]
The European Investment Bank will provide €60 million towards development of the NUI Galway campus. The first ever loan to the university from Europe’s long-term lending institution will finance construction of campus developments including new student residences and a new building for the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.
Dr Jim Browne, President of NUI […]
Government plans to proceed with the upgrading of the N20 Cork – Limerick road to motorway status – confirmed by An Taoiseach and Cabinet colleagues during their recent meeting in Cork – have been wholeheartedly welcomed by the construction plant and machinery sector.
Birdhill-based Komatsu distributor Michael McHale, managing director of McHale Plant Sales, says: “It is […]
Budget 2018 – CIF Welcomes Increased Investment in Infrastructure at Critical Time For Irish Economy
The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) has stated that the measures announced in Budget 2018 will help address the systemic weaknesses in infrastructure investment.
Tom Parlon, CIF Director General, stated: “The Government has taken significant steps today towards insulating the economy from externals shocks today with the announcement of a 17% increase of €790 million in public […]
The Government’s newly published draft National Planning Framework correctly recognises that Ireland’s future is urban – now that appreciation must be backed by ambitious investment in Dublin and Ireland’s other main cities, according to business organisation Dublin Chamber.
Dublin Chamber, which represents companies throughout the Great Dublin Area, commended Government on the production of the draft […]
New figures released this week by the National Transport Authority are at odds with feedback from commuters regarding the impact of new traffic changes in the city, according to business group Dublin Chamber.
The Chamber said that figures showing an improvement in bus journey times between specific points along the north and south quays fail to […]
Eoghan Murphy, Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government has announced the further 2017 grant allocations to local authorities for group water and group sewerage schemes, providing an additional €3.676m under the 2017 Rural Water Programme over the interim allocations of €11.696 already announced in June.
The allocations to local authorities, which amount to over €15.372 […]
A new project which has received €2.9 million in funding from the European Union (EU) will be lead by Trinity engineering and business professors. Reducing the Energy Dependency of the Atlantic area Water Networks (REDAWN) aims to lessen the burden on stressed water networks and reduce associated negative impacts on the environment. According to a […]
Ibec has met with political representatives in the North West to set out the key investment and planning priorities for the region, as well as the measures required in the upcoming budget to support the region’s future growth.
Ibec North West Regional Director Terry MacNamara said, “Business will play a critical role in the future economic […]
The Construction Industry Federation has stated that economic recovery in the west of Ireland is being undermined by the Government. The representative body is launching it’s ‘Enhancing Ireland’s Infrastructure’ report – which warns that low investment in infrastructure is a direct threat to economic recovery and balanced regional development.
The report finds that despite talk of […]
The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) has called on government to increase investment in infrastructure and to establish a small builders fund to put the construction industry on a sustainable footing. Putting these policies in place will enable regional builders to deliver the essential housing and infrastructure required to deliver targets in the Government’s jobs, regional […]
A CIF report, carried out by DKM Economic Consultants, has proposed an urgent and radical overhaul to how infrastructure is delivered in Ireland. The report warned that Ireland’s historically low levels of investment in infrastructure threatens Ireland’s economic recovery and could undermine growth in other sectors, such as technology, financial services, pharmaceutical, whilst also leading to […]
Engineers Ireland has lodged a series of recommendations with the Department of Finance for Budget 2018. The recommendations include calls for a sustained increase in capital investment towards 2027 and list priority projects to support sustainable economic growth.
Engineers Ireland’s top five priorities for the Budget and public reform are:
Steadily and sustainably increase capital investment, targeting a […]
Ibec has called on the Government to show further ambition in meeting Ireland’s critical infrastructure and demographic needs. Launching the group’s Budget 2018 submission, Ibec said that the Government has more within its power to spend on investment in much needed infrastructure, education and training, if it so chooses.
Speaking at the launch of the submission, […]
Statement from CIF Director General Tom Parlon.
“Whilst a commitment to increase infrastructure investment is welcome; waiting until 2019 to increase investment will consign many of Ireland’s regions to a decade of lost growth, exacerbate social inequalities and continue to see Dublin congest. If it’s a good idea to invest in 2019 to improve the economy and […]
Chamber Chief Executives from across Ireland today met in Kildare to discuss the key issues of importance to Irish business. The message delivered ahead of Budget 2018 and the publication of the Summer Economic Statement was unified and clear; available fiscal space should be focused on capital investment and addressing the urgent infrastructure needs across the […]
The Magazine – Construction Summit
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