Almost two thirds of all Irish people live in cities – CSO
The urban population of Ireland is now 62pc of the total population, in just 2.4pc of the total land area, according to the most recent figures released by the Central Statistics Office . The migration of people to cities is a global trend where people are following the investment, employment and innovation opportunities of cities, according to Dublin Chamber of Commerce . Aebhric McGibney, Dublin Chambers director of policy, said: “There has been a global urban shift, cities have become the lightning rods of investment, the centres of innovations, the epicentre of employment and the engines of national economies. Cities are responsible for generating more than 80pc of global gross domestic product yet they occupy just 2pc…
Read MoreIreland remains one of the least trusting countries globally – Edelman
The 2015 Edelman Trust Barometer has placed Ireland second from the bottom in a league table measuring levels of trust in 27 countries. Overall levels of trust in Ireland has fallen 2 points to 37pc during the past 12 months. The barometer finds that NGOs in Ireland remain the most trusted institution despite a significant fall of 10 points to 48pc. And business is the second most trusted institution in Ireland, despite a further three point decline to 38pc. Trust in media is down another three points to 34pc and has now fallen 11 points since 2013. Of the 27 countries surveyed only Japan (31pc) and Turkey (20pc) have lower…
Read MoreUPC Ireland hits 148,000 broadband users, VoD on way
Cable broadband and TV player UPC has ratcheted up its broadband subscriber numbers and now reaches 148,000 subscribers. CEO Robert Dunn said €400 million has been invested in upgrading the company’s Irish network. The company now passes some 877,400 homes overall, out of which 713,300 are termed revenue-generating units. Subscribers for UPC’s digital cable services stood at 276,900 while subscribers for its analog services stood at 153,600. The company has 74,300 MMDS subscribers. UPC currently serves 148,100 homes with high-speed cable broadband and has a total addressable broadband market at present of 593,000 homes. The company is also currently building out a next-generation network that will offer speeds of up…
Read MorePCH buys TNS Distribution for up to 21m
Cork-headquartered global supply chain solutions company PCH International has bought TNS Distribution for a consideration of up to 21m. The acquisition involves an immediate payment of €6m by PCH, which has its operational headquarters in Shenzhen, China. PCH will also pay up to €5m over three years for the company, which is a European distributor of consumer electronics products and accessories, depending on the latter’s performance. An additional payment will be made over the same period based on the overall performance of the PCH Group, and will range from between €5m and 10m. Ernst & Young managed the transaction on behalf of PCH. TNS Distribution is based in Ireland, and has offices in the…
Read MoreTesco first retailer to donate all surplus food to charity using Foodcloud app
Tesco first retailer to donate all surplus food to charity using Foodcloud app Co-founders Iseult Ward and Aoibheann O’Brien Foodcloud and Christine Heffernan, corporate affairs director, Tesco Ireland Tesco Ireland and social enterprise Foodcloud have announced a partnership that means all surplus food from Tesco’s 146 stores will be redistributed to charities and community groups through the use of Foodcloud’s app. Two young social entrepreneurs, Iseult Ward and Aoibheann O’Brien set up Foodcloud in 2012 to connect businesses with surplus food with community groups and charities. The venture has graduated from Trinity College Dublin’s Launchbox, NDRC’s start-up accelerator programme Launchpad and is a winners of the Arthur Guinness Projects. It ran a pilot programme…
Read MorePuma to Launch Mobile Phone
As part of its diversification strategy, Puma is launching a mobile phone in the second quarter of 2010. The sportswear company has signed a license agreement with French mobile phone manufacturer Sagem Wireless. According to Puma, the agreement is in line with its strategy to move into new categories that complement its range of sport and lifestyle footwear, apparel, and accessories. In a statement, it said: “Puma’s entry into mobile leverages its innovative brand and design skill to improve user experience and connect its community.” The phone will be sold globally in Puma’s own stores and through operators. The phone will be solar-powered (the solar implement will be on the back of…
Read MoreTesco Launches FoodCloud Pilot in the UK After Success of Irish Programme
Tesco has this week launched a pilot FoodCloud programme at 10 of its UK stores, following on from the success of the food redistribution scheme in Ireland. Last July, Tesco Ireland committed to donating all of its surplus food to local charities through a partnership with the FoodCloud social enterprise. Set up by Iseult Ward and Aoibheann O’Brien, FoodCloud connects businesses with surplus food to local charities that need it through its technology platform and app. The app allows store managers to alert local charities of the amount of surplus food they have at the end of each day. The charities then collect the food, free of charge. In the…
Read MoreNDRC Swequity Exchange calls for start-ups and backers
The second iteration of National Digital Research Centre (NDRC) Swequity Exchange is taking applications now. The initiative is building on the strong success of its first one earlier this year. People with clever digital business start-up ideas and people interested in getting involved in developing these start-ups have an opportunity to do just that through the programme. NDRC’s Swequity Exchange will bring people with business ideas together, choose the best ones and match them to a team of qualified voluntary experts. The team will get equity in the business if it successfully kicks off, while the start-ups get experienced advice and support from the beginning. Applications are being taken now…
Read MoreVodafone Smart Accessibility Awards launched 200,000 Prize Fund
Vodafone Smart Accessibility Awards launched a 200,000 prize fund The Smart Accessibility Awards 2012, a competition worth 200,000 that calls for developers from across Europe to design smartphone apps that take into consideration the needs of older people and people with disabilities, was launched today by the Vodafone Foundation and its partners. To encourage Irish interest in this international competition for new apps, the National Digital Research Centre (NDRA) has linked with Vodafone and its partners – the NCBI, IIA, and mobile open community group Mobile Monday – and will be hosting a two-day workshop at NDRC’s HQ on Crane Street on the 21 and 22 August. These leading Irish…
Read MoreMSD’s Rathdrum site to close in 2015
Pharmaceutical multinational MSD is closing its manufacturing facility in Rathdrum, Co Wicklow, by the end of 2015, affecting 280 jobs on the site. The move is part of MSD’s ongoing review of its worldwide manufacturing capabilities that has resulted in sites being sold, closed or consolidated in all regions all over the world. The plant in Rathdrum makes ingredients for respiratory care, infectious disease and cardiovascular medicines. Manufacturing activities will start to be phased out in 2014 but no staff reductions are expected until the end of 2014, according to MSD. It plans to relocate products manufactured in Rathdrum to its sites in Ballydine , Co Tipperary and Singapore, as well as…
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