A group of 12 carers from all over County Clare were last evening presented with certificates recognising their participation in a European Commission-funded training course specialising in enhancing carer skills and competencies.

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Emutex Ltd., an embedded software solutions company based in Castletroy, has announced the winner of a scholarship programme that was launched throughout Ireland’s Third Level institutions in late 2012.

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A draft 10-year improvement and economic development strategy for the West Clare town of Kilkee has been placed on public display.

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Fine Gael Clare Senator Tony Mulcahy has welcomed figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) which show that unemployment has fallen below 300,000 for first time since 2008.

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Clare County Council has announced that the proposed new Clare Local Enterprise Office will be up and running at Áras Contae and Chláir in Ennis by the end of 2013.

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A County Clare hotel operator has announced the creation of 15 full-time jobs in Doolin.

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Luxury hotel group Hotel du Vin and Malmaison is to recruit graduates from the Shannon College of Hotel Management for new boutique outlets overseas, writes Senan Hogan.

The firm also plans to locate a hotel in Dublin and senior management visited the city in September to view potential properties.

The chain already has 26 outlets in Britain and Northern Ireland.

Chief executive Robert Cook said: "I’m looking at Dublin very seriously. It’s a city that will love Malmaison or Hotel du Vin. It’s a party city with a fun loving public - a perfect fit for our brands.
"The Irish market is key to our brands in the UK, and to be in its capital is obvious for us. We are at the bottom of the economic cycle so the time is right to acquire or lease and I believe the opportunity is there also."

Mr Cook also said that developing a strategic partnership with Shannon College of Hotel Management in Co Clare was key to the chain's growth.

"Hiring world class graduates, to grow in our business, is essential to our story. "We are now looking at international expansion into the likes of Paris and Venice and in the United States and we believe this would be a perfect fit,” he said.

The twin-brand chain comprises of the Hotel du Vin facilities which cater for the leisure market while Malmaison hotels typically have a modern and contemporary style more suited to business travellers.

Hotel du Vin outlets are located in Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Cambridge, Cheltenham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Harrogate, Henley-on-Thames, Newcastle, Poole, Tunbridge Wells, Winchester and York.

There are Malmaison outlets in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Leeds, Belfast, Birmingham, Oxford, Reading, Liverpool and London.

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29 workers are to be made redundant at the Limerick Leader print division on the Dock Road, with the decision by Johnstone Press to close it on December 17.

Fears have also been expressed that this latest move by Johnston Press could signal a reduction in the number of titles being printed in Limerick.

There are currently three tabloid papers published in the city, the Limerick Leader on Monday and Wednesday and the Limerick Chronicle on Tuesday.

The Scottish company currently own the 'Limerick Leader' and 'Limerick Chronicle', the later printed in the city for almost 250 years.

SOURCE:LIMERICK POST/LIVE 95FM

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The Chairman of the Small Firms Association, Dr Aidan O’Boyle, in his address to over 750 members at the SFA Annual Lunch, has called for “a new dynamic approach” to creating and retaining jobs in the economy and giving confidence back to consumers, “without this confidence and resultant expenditure we will never tackle the jobs crisis which afflicts us.”

O’Boyle stated that there sometimes appears to be a lack of urgency on Governments behalf in addressing business growth and job creation, “An Taoiseach and his Government must ensure that the promises made are delivered on and that the policies and actions geared to delivering growth and jobs are acted on with a real sense of urgency.”

Dr O’Boyle called on the Taoiseach to give fuel to small businesses – the engines of recovery - and to deliver a Government backed loan guarantee scheme, as has been successfully done in Northern Ireland some 12 months ago. “Time is running out - we need action. Since September 2009 we have been told by Government that such a scheme was under detail study – the reality is that unless the lending risk to the banks is reduced by the introduction of a loan guarantee scheme, many small businesses will not survive.”

Dr. O’Boyle called on the Banking sector to return to the old policy of relationship banking with small firms at a local level and for the banks to once again play a key role “in supporting and encouraging small businesses in their local areas.”

Addressing the issues of costs, O’Boyle said that our record to date in reducing costs has “not been good – one of the main culprits has been costs under Government control – we need to tackle these costs now with renewed vigour.” One area that requires greater focus was the restructuring of the funding mechanism for local authorities, to ensure that the user-pays principle will apply in future and that “small business should no longer be the 'fall guy' picking up the tab when central funding is cut,” said O’Boyle.

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West Clare is in line for a significant jobs boost after a planning application to develop a €4m supermarket and community development in Miltown Malbay was granted by Clare County Council this week.

The new development will consist of a 10,000 sq ft supermarket, 150-space car park, relief road for the town, children’s playground, and an astro-turf facility with associated dressing rooms and lighting.

Local businessman John Jones (pictured at the site) says the project will regenerate the local area and create over 50 full-time and part-time positions, as well as additional seasonal employment. A further 70 jobs will be generated during the 12-18 month construction phase.

Mr. Jones said: “From a commercial point the supermarket is a very important addition to the infrastructure of the town. On a local level the car park, playground and playing pitch, which represents an investment of in excess of €250,000, would be vital additions to the towns amenities.

“The single-storey supermarket, which will have a separate service yard with staff parking and is designed with the latest environmentally friendly innovations, will generate its business from the current high level of business spillage out of the town. Recent studies have shown that this is very achievable and would complement existing commercial activity in the town.

“The employment generated by this project would act as a shot in the arm for Miltown Malbay and surrounding areas, which has experienced high levels of emigration since the downturn in the economy. This project would enable more people to live and work in their own community as they would prefer. For example, Miltown St Joseph’s GAA club has pledged its support to the project as it recognises the importance associated with building a self-sustainable community, one which offers work opportunities and an improved quality of life for its young people.

“The range of products in the shop will also reduce the need for people to travel considerable distances for their shopping. By more people shopping locally the supermarket will generate additional revenue for the other local businesses which will in turn generate more employment”, he added.

Commenting on the development of ancillary facilities, Mr. Jones stated “An adjacent 150-space car park, which will be free of charge, will service both the shop and the town in general. A further 14 car park spaces at the site entrance will provide additional car parking for the residents of the Ennis Road.

“A through road will in time connect with the Ballard Road creating another portion of the relief road around the town. An enclosed children’s playground will be located adjacent to the car park and will be a great addition to the town’s amenities”, Mr. Jones concluded.

John Jones and his wife Claire currently operate a Centra supermarket at Church Street, Miltown Malbay. They are the seventh successive generation of the Jones family to operate the business, which was established in 1835.

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Adoption of environmental ideas will grow the economy and create secure employment, according to a pre-budget submission by The Environmental Pillar of Social Partnership which was launched today.

"Secure employment will depend on the government addressing global trends in climate change, energy, biodiversity loss, and food security when planning for the next four years," said Michael Ewing, coordinator of the Environmental Pillar, at the launch of their submission document "Proposals for a sustainable Budget 2011".

The submission lists the changes in decision-making needed to increase sustainability, and suggests measures in taxation and spending that will stimulate employment.

"In general what is needed is a shift from taxes on income and profits to tax on consumption of natural resources" Ewing explained. "Where taxes are applied they must be progressive and just. Any new taxation should not be based on cyclical sectors of the economy that leave the exchequer vulnerable."

Siobhán Egan, Environmental Pillar representative to the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), said "getting the management of natural resources right is key to an economy that is environmentally sound and that supports employment and quality of life into the future. Making the right decisions now about how we exploit resources for energy and food for example can save money and create jobs but we need to ensure we don't repeat mistakes of the past."

The Environmental Pillar's position on tax is shared by the OECD, which recommends the phasing out of all environmentally harmful subsidies, and "the replacement of some current taxes with appropriate environmentally related fiscal measures in the framework of a comprehensive environmental tax reform."

The Environmental Pillar claims that innovation in taxation will promote and support the industries necessary for a shift to sustainability. One mechanism it proposes is 'Tax and Share', which rewards those that use the least carbon. It is tax neutral, largely beneficial in promoting public transport use, and as there are only a small number of energy importers, it is easy to administer.

Land Value Tax is highlighted as being a key measure "essential to the long-term wellbeing and control of land usage". It is claimed it would incentivise improved use of land to generate income, deter land hoarding, and bring about the rejuvenation of derelict buildings and so-called Brownfield sites in towns. For the government it would generate a revenue stream that is fair, transparent and reliable.

According to the Pillar, wherever possible, obstacles to the generation of employment should be removed. Taxation on paid work should be shifted to taxes on resource use and pollution. For this reason, it argues, the successful 'polluter pays' principle should be expanded greatly to include products that cannot be fully and easily recycled, pollutants emitted from industrial facilities, and excessive product packaging. These revenues, and others from taxes on resource use and pollution, should be ring-fenced for activities and employment opportunities that protect and enhance the environment, in the same way that the plastic bag tax and the land fill levies are at present in the Environment Fund.

"This submission shows that taxation can be used to incentivise employment opportunities and activities that build resilience against the impending shocks caused by global trends in climate change, competition for cheap energy, and increasing food security needs," concluded Mr Ewing.

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Éamon Ó Cuív TD, Minister for Social Protection has welcomed a fall in the October Live Register figures published today by the CSO.

This is the second month in a row the Live Register has shown a decrease and Minister Ó Cuív said the fall “is a very welcome development.”

The headline (or unadjusted) figure in the October Live Register shows a drop of 12,864 on the previous month’s (September) total, bringing the Live Register to 429,553.

This October 2010 decrease (12,864) is the highest October monthly decrease in the Live Register since October 1996.

The October 2010 figure is the lowest monthly total since December 2009.

There is also a fall in the (seasonally adjusted) October Live Register figure to 443,000, which is a decrease of 6,600 or 1.5% on September 2010.

Minister Ó Cuív said: “It is also worth noting that the Live Register includes those who have employment albeit on a part time basis, and receive a payment from my Department for part of the week. These account for just over 63,000 people on the Live Register. The number of people on the Live Register who actually receive a jobseeker’s payment for a full week is 278,855. Over 25,500 people on the Register are signing for PRSI credits only (i.e. to maintain the continuity of their social insurance record).

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Career Decisions Ireland has today reminded jobseekers who wish to avail of free career coaching under a Government-backed scheme that they should enroll immediately as places are being snapped up with over 40% of the total places already taken.

The company is providing 1,000 unemployed people throughout Ireland with a free professional Career Coaching Programme in several locations in a bid to help them explore their career options and improve their future job prospects.

Delivered under the Career2Fit initiative which is 100% funded by The Department of Education and Skills through its Labour Market Activation Fund, the Career Coaching will assist jobseekers who don’t know what to do but wish to improve their job prospects.

Billy Kelleher T.D., Minister for Trade & Commerce, who was present at the launch of Career Decision’s Career2Fit™ programme, said: ‘The Government is committed to making this initiative work in favour of the unemployed. This is a unique opportunity for jobseekers to explore their true potential and identify suitable career and training options. We encourage unemployed people nationwide to take advantage of this opportunity with Career Decisions Ireland and we are confident they will gain tremendous benefit from the Career Assessments and Coaching provided”.

Miriam Magner-Flynn, Managing Director Career Decisions which operates nationwide, stated: ‘We would strongly recommend this 100% funded programme to people who are unemployed and who are unclear as to the type of work that best suits them or are unsure about how to re-enter the jobs market or those people who wish to re-train. Enrolment has already begun and participants can find out more about this programme on www.careerdecisions.ie or by calling 061 400664 or find Career2Fit on Facebook. This 3 day Career Assessment & Coaching Programme is particularly suited to (but not exclusive to) people previously employed in construction, retail and manufacturing. The programme will be delivered in multiple locations covering 15 counties throughout Ireland i.e. Cork, Limerick, Kerry, Waterford, Tipperary, Westmeath/Midlands, Donegal, Sligo, Kildare, Galway, Dublin, Kilkenny, Mayo, Cavan and Wicklow.

She further stated that participants will go through an award winning Career Assessment Programme and each person will be individually met by a Career Decisions Career Coach who will highlight career opportunities and training paths in growth sectors ensuring that jobseekers are fully aware of the best options for the future. ‘Participants will be shown how their skills can be transferred to different jobs/industries which will help them to reinvent themselves for the future and improve their job prospects. Career2Fit™ will provide people with career clarity and improved job prospects’ Ms Magner-Flynn said.

Ms. Magner-Flynn indicated that bookings to date are very strong with over 40% of the total places already taken on the Career2Fit™ Programme. ‘Each of the 15 counties has a limited number of places so for instance Cork has only 200 places and with over 26,000 people on the Live Register we expect that the places on the Career2Fit™ programme will be quickly snapped up. People interested in the programme need to act quickly and book their place to avoid disappointment’ she said.

Career Decisions will also deliver another Government-funded programme under The Labour Market Activation Fund – Level 7 Diploma in Career Coaching (CPD) awarded by Dublin Institute of Technology. Only 15 places remain out of the 100 funded places so interested candidates should visit www.careerdecisions.ie for more information.

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Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith T.D. today announced that global insurance and reinsurance provider, Global Indemnity plc, is to establish an IT development operation in Cavan through its subsidiary, Global Indemnity Services Ltd., creating 30 high value jobs over the next 5 years.

Global Indemnity Services will employ a wide range of technical staff to provide IT development for the Company’s policy administration and finance functions. The investment is supported by IDA Ireland.

The release follows Global Indemnity’s recent announcement that it had completed its redomestication to Ireland and anticipated opening an operational office in addition to its administrative headquarters in Ireland by the end of the year, with the initial focus being IT development.

Minister Smith, welcoming the announcement, said “Today’s announcement is excellent news for the North East region and Cavan in particular. Global Indemnity is an established global insurer and reinsurer and is a welcome addition to the area. The Company’s decision to locate in Cavan is an endorsement of the attractiveness of the area to global investors. The availability of local talent, its position within the North East region and its proximity to Dublin with the recent opening of the new M3 motorway are all major factors contributing to the attractiveness of the area. I would like to thank Global Indemnity for offering such excellent employment opportunities to the people of Cavan, and can assure the Company that it has my full support into the future as it develops its operation here.”

Larry Frakes, President and Chief Executive Officer of Global Indemnity plc said: “Ireland is an excellent locale for our headquarters with a supportive environment and infrastructure from which to conduct an international business. Our decision to locate IT development operations in Cavan is based on the availability of a highly skilled local workforce, excellent IT infrastructure, and the access Ireland provides us to EU markets. Global Indemnity Services will play a major role in strengthening our European presence. We look forward to developing the operation with the support of IDA Ireland.”

Barry O’Leary CEO, IDA Ireland added: “Ireland has a strong reputation as a leading location for global insurance companies, with over 15,000 people employed in the industry here. Global Indemnity is an excellent addition to this cluster. IDA Ireland looks forward to working closely with the company as it establishes its operation here.”

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