Mum of two creates iPhone App for autistic children
A Wicklow-based mother of two children with autism, Lisa Domican, has developed a new iPhone app that she hopes will help children with autism better build their communications skills. The app, which has already been successfully trialled in the Saplings School in Rathfarnham for children with autism, is called “Grace” (named after Lisa’s daughter) and is based on the principle of picture exchange communication. It was developed by Lisa in conjunction with software developer Steve Troughton-Smith, and with the support of Telefonica O2 Ireland . “As the mother of two children with autism, I know it works, I’ve seen the positive impact it has had on my own children, and therefore I can…
Read MoreGlobal stars to descend on Dublin to discuss women in tech
Global stars to descend on Dublin to discuss women in tech Some of the most successful women in tech will be in Dublin next Monday, 30 June to attend the Female Founders Forum, organised by Silicon Republic. The event will take place from 2pm to 5pm at the Guinness Storehouse, St James’s Gate Brewery, Dublin 8 and it will focus on the future of investment in female-led high potential start-ups in Ireland. After the forum, a special reception celebrating 100 top women in Stem (science, technology, engineering and maths) will take place at the Storehouse. “The role of women in the tech sector is a huge issue globally. International research shows…
Read MoreInterTradeIreland Unlocks Public Sector Opportunities for SMEs
The InterTradeIreland all-island Meet the Buyer event held November 8, 2012 in Kilkenny attracted over 500 SMEs who were keen to gain information on how to unlock a public sector procurement market worth up to €20bn. The event held in Kilkenny was opened by Minister John Perry TD, Minister of State for small business. The event provided an opportunity for buyers and suppliers alike to meet and engage in one location. SMEs gained access to buyers to better understand their needs and got an opportunity to showcase new and innovative products and services. InterTradeIreland’s all island Meet the Buyer events are designed to raise awareness and understanding of the public procurement market. In Kilkenny specifically SMEs gained…
Read MorePassionate European: Interview with EC Secretary-General Catherine Day
A Passionate European: An Interview with Secretary-General of the EC, Catherine Day As secretary-general of the European Commission, Catherine Day is the European Union’s most senior civil servant, the first woman to hold this role. On a recent trip to Dublin, she spoke to Ann O’Dea about the challenges and rewards of the job. Dubliner Catherine Day joined the European Commission in 1979. She steadily rose through the ranks to reach her position today as secretary-general of the Commission, the most senior official in the European Union , and the first woman to hold this role. “That means I have lived longer in Brussels than I have in Dublin, but once a…
Read MoreJulie Sinnamon, Enterprise Ireland
Julie Sinnamon, Enterprise Ireland The coming year will see continued growth in export markets, writes Enterprise Ireland CEO Julie Sinnamon. During the closing months of 2014, barely a week went by without a significant new jobs announcement being made by an Irish company. These jobs are being created right across the board, from young, ambitious, innovative start-ups to developed companies with strong brands and Irish MNCs that already have a well-established foothold in international markets. Irish companies are really on the move, and the one thing they all have in common is that this growth and job creation are built on the back of very strong growth in key export…
Read MoreTyndall and TSSG Targeting €82m in Funding and 10 Spin-Outs with Internet of Things Partnership
Tyndall and TSSG targeting €82m in funding and 10 spin-outs with internet of things partnership Tyndall National Institute and Waterford Institute of Technology’s Telecommunications Software & Systems Group (TSSG) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will seek to draw down €82m of funding available through the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme and create 10 spin-outs. The MoU will formalize a partnership between the two research institutions to create a full end-to-end offering in the IoT space. The MoU is targeting the creation of 10 new spin-out companies based on IoT technologies that will span multiple sectors. Tyndall and TSSG are currently collaborating on several projects across the energy, agriculture, environment, and health sectors to deliver a tangible connection for…
Read MoreStart-ups secure investment following LaunchPad at NDRC
To date start-up enterprises supported by the National Digital Research Centre (NDRC) have secured €10m in commercial investment following their time there, it has reported.
Read More€120m Grand Canal Dock hotel to create 100 hospitality jobs
The development of a new hotel and residential complex in the Grand Canal Dock will create 200 construction jobs over the next year and result in 100 hospitality jobs when it opens in February 2013. By completion, more than €120m will be invested in The Marker, which will include 187 guest rooms over six floors, as well as 84 two-bedroom residential apartments, which will be available to rent or buy and will have full access to the hotel’s amenities. The hotel will be operated by Interstate Hotels & Resorts and will be a Leading Hotels of the World member. According to its owners, it’s being designed to appeal to both…
Read MorePermanent TSB to hike standard variable mortgage rate
Permanent TSB has confirmed that it is raising the interest rates on its standard variable mortgages and related products by 0.5pc from the start of February. As a result, the new rate for customers holding standard variable mortgages is 3.69pc. Permanent TSB said the move would affect just under 80,000 residential mortgage customers, who make up 45pc of its residential mortgage loan book. Its other 100,000 residential mortgage customers will not be affected. High cost of fundsThe bank said the decision to increase rates had been forced on it as a result of the continuing high cost of funds. “While the bank sources funds from a variety of sources, the…
Read MoreCarbery Group and Dubliner Cheese Thrive in US Market
Carbery Group’s flagship cheese brand Dubliner continues to grow in export markets, particularly in the US, according to its 2011 results statement, out today. Based in Co Cork, Carbery has been making cheeses for nearly 40 years. The temperate environment of this area ensures a long grass-growing season to produce high-quality milk. Carbery invests heavily in product development and manufacturing technology. It now produces over 20 market-leading cheeses for retail, food manufacturers/industrial applications, and the food service sector. In addition to Dubliner, it supplies a variety of own-label cheeses. Revenues for the overall group went up by 14.5pc to €256.5m, and profit before tax (PBT) increased by 27.8pc to €8.7m.…
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