Procurement guide launched to support SMEs
A best practice guide designed to address the issues that inhibit SME procurement from the public sector was launched by Minister of State Brian Hayes TD at an event in the Dublin Chamber of Commerce today. In Ireland and the UK alone, the public sector procures about €190bn in goods and services every year. But although SMEs account for 99pc of total companies, they deliver less than half of the requirements of contracting authorities “Research has shown that, given the right conditions and assistance, SMEs can become more effective in winning and retaining supply contracts to Government and other authorities,” said Gina Quin, Dublin Chamber chief executive . “This is a ‘win win’ for all; SMEs…
Read MoreEuropean Investment Bank to provide €200m for Irish SMEs with AIB
European Investment Bank to provide €200m for Irish SMEs with AIB The European Investment Bank (EIB) has agreed to work with AIB in providing €200m for investment by small and medium companies across Ireland. This represents the latest EIB support for SMEs in Ireland since an earlier lending programme intermediated by AIB in 2011. The SME initiative, the largest ever engagement by the EIB to support Irish small business, was signed at AIB headquarters in Dublin, today by AIB chief executive David Duffy and EIB president Werner Hoyer. The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton TD also participated. “Today’s announcement that the EIB along with AIB will provide an additional…
Read MoreAspen creating 44 jobs in Dublin as Irish mandate expanded
Generic pharmaceutical company Aspen has announced its decision to make Dublin its centre of excellence for a range of global and EMEA activities and to create an additional 44 high quality jobs bringing its total workforce in Ireland to 58. The investment, which is being supported by the IDA, was announced this morning by Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD. The company first established an operation in Ireland in 2010 and this has now become Aspen’s European marketing and supply chain headquarters. In addition, the company is now establishing a global regulatory, pharmacovigilance, quality assurance and supply projects centre of excellence in Citywest.. Aspen is one of the largest generic…
Read MoreEuropean Insurance Forum 2013 to be held in Dublin in May
European Insurance Forum 2013 to be held in Dublin in May Matthew Elderfield, deputy governor of the Financial Regulator, is to be a speaker at EIF 2013 The European Insurance Forum (EIF) 2013 is taking place in Dublin on 9 and 10 May, bringing together the industry and regulatory community to address major issues facing the sector. The Dublin International Insurance & Management Association (DIMA) is holding the conference, which is themed ‘Face the Future’. International re/insurers in Ireland have continued to provide on-going stability to their policyholders for almost 25 years, most recently against a background of events such as Superstorm Sandy, the Costa Concordia sinking and devastating US…
Read More‘Blue Nose Month’ launched in support of Irish Autism Action
‘Blue Nose Month’ launched in support of Irish Autism ActionKevin Whelan, CEO of Irish Autism Action, TV presenter Kathryn Thomas, Ciaran Mulligan, CEO of Blue Insurance and Ian Kennedy, Blue Insurance at the launch of Blue Nose Month Online insurance broker Blue Insurance has launched ‘Blue Nose Month’, its first campaign as part of a new partnership with Irish Autism Action, which includes a commitment to raise up to €50,000 over the coming year for the organisation. All monies raised through the fundraising efforts of the team at Blue Insurance will go towards supporting the numerous projects being undertaken by Irish Autism Action. These include a nationwide awareness campaign across…
Read MoreValeo Foods agrees Jacob Fruitfield purchase
Valeo Foods agrees Jacob Fruitfield purchase Valeo Foods has announced that it has reached agreement to acquire Jacob Fruitfield Food Group for an undisclosed amount. The deal is subject to regulatory approval. Set up 2010, Valeo is made up of a growing portfolio of Irish consumer brands, including Batchelors, Odlums, Shamrock, Sqeez, Roma, Erin, Amigo, Lustre and Picnic. The company also offers route-to-market services for several international consumer brands. Jacob Fruitfield includes Fruitfield Foods, which was bought from Nestl� in 2002, and Irish Biscuits, which was purchased from Groupe Danone in 2004. Among its consumer brands are Jacob’s biscuits (Fig Rolls, Kimberley, Mikado and Coconut Creams), Chef sauces, Fruitfield jams and marmalades and Silvermints and Scots…
Read MoreIncrease in cloud implementation across organisations in Ireland – Microsoft/Amárach Cloud Index
Increase in cloud implementation across organisations in Ireland – Microsoft/Amárach Cloud Index Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton TD today joined Microsoft as part of National Cloud Week to launch the findings of the second annual Microsoft/Amárach Cloud Index. The index focuses on tracking the adoption of cloud computing amongst organisations in both the public and private sector in Ireland. The second Microsoft/Amárach Cloud Index stands at 3.6 out of 10, up from 3.2 last year, which suggests a steady increase in cloud implementation across organisations in Ireland. Particularly pronounced is the increase in the average score among organisations with between five and 50 employees, which has moved…
Read MoreINM makes two senior appointments as part of ‘Digital First’ revamp
Independent News & Media (INM) has appointed Claire Grady as editor of the Irish Independent and Ian Mallon as head of news across its three main print titles – the Irish Independent, Sunday Independent and the Herald, and of digital. Both executives will report to INM editor-in-chief Stephen Rae , who is reshaping the newsroom to deepen its relationship with readers in print and online. He said the appointments were part of the strategy to build a “digital-first, seven-day newsroom”. Grady is the first woman editor of the Irish Independent and previously served as a news editor of the Irish Independent before becoming opinion editor, executive editor and then editor on the…
Read MoreUPC welcomes new look Oireachtas TV
UPC welcomes new look Oireachtas TVPictured: Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett, presenter John Bowman and Magnus Ternsjö, CEO of UPC Ireland UPC has welcomed the first broadcast of Ireland’s first fully fledged, dedicated parliamentary channel Oireachtas TV, which is being carried on UPC channel 207. Oireachtas TV will now provide unfiltered access to the parliamentary process to over one million households nationwide, including debates, committees and other proceedings from both houses of the Oireachtas. Since its launch on UPC, Oireachtas TV has increasd its viewership by 20pc following its move to channel 207, having previously being broadcast on channel 801. Now available alongside mainstream news and current affairs channels, the Oireachtas TV channel…
Read MoreWeb Summit to ring Nasdaq Stock Market Opening Bell live onstage in Dublin
The Nasdaq Stock Market Opening Bell will be rung onstage at the RDS during the Web Summit on 30 October, marking it the first time it has been opened from Ireland. Typically, bell ceremonies are hosted at the Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square in New York and remote Opening and Closing Bell ceremonies are extremely rare. The Nasdaq Opening Bell will take place in front of an audience of over 7,000 and will be carried live by dozens of TV stations to a potential audience of millions. This year, the Web Summit is evolving to become a three-day festival of ideas with over 300 speakers and 7,000 attendees. General tickets…
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