Latest news with #NationalMaritimeCollegeofIreland
Irish Examiner
18-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Delays to infrastructure projects are damaging job prospects
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said too many vital infrastructure projects are being held up in the courts and the delays are damaging good job prospects for future generations and the country's economic growth. He said it is 'urgent and critical' that Ireland get to grips with major infrastructure development and utilities have never been under so much pressure to deliver them. Mr Martin said the Government anticipated a drop-off in the commencement of housing construction this year and claimed it has set up 'a significant number of measures' to aid future growth for commencements and completions. He said in particular the Government is focused on initiatives to attract more private developer investment into housing, primarily construction of more apartments. He made the comments while announcing a new course to be offered in offshore green energy construction by the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) in Ringaskiddy, Co Cork. He said it is hoped the centre will become a 'skills hub' for that emerging industry. Fall-off in home-building Mr Martin said the Government anticipated there would be a reduction in house commencements this year because of a waiver of the development levy in 2024. Last month there were just 1,356 housing unit commencements, the lowest monthly figure since 2020 when covid seriously impacted construction. Up to June this year, 6,325 houses are under construction, compared to 34,581 during the comparative period in 2024. Mr Martin said: 'We expected a fall-off this year given the record number that came in last year. The first quarter of this year, completions are up and that's important.' He insisted measures adopted by Government have yet to impact on the housing market and there are thousands of houses now in the pipeline. "We do need to unblock some of those (held up by objections etc) and that's why the National Development Plan is important in enabling the unblocking of some projects that are already about to happen, or in the pipeline itself,' the Taoiseach said. "Between 2023 and 2024 you're looking at close to 50,000 commencements. So if we can get those completed in addition to those already in the pipeline, I think you'll have a significant number of houses completed. What will be key next year and in the years ahead will be getting more private sector construction, particularly in apartments. We need to really increase the level of apartment building,' he said. NMCI offshore energy construction course Mr Martin said another key infrastructure development is the creation of offshore green energy platforms as he announced 'a first of its kind' course at NMCI. It has launched a Maritime and Offshore Safe Pass Pilot Programme, aimed enhancing safety standards and awareness for those working in Ireland's offshore renewable energy sector. It is designed to provide essential health and safety induction training for people entering or currently employed in the maritime industry, mirroring the success of the existing land-based construction Safe Pass programme. It includes training in emergency preparedness, vessel safety, environmental awareness and personal protective practices. Mr Martin said as Ireland begins to deliver significant offshore wind energy generation (5 Gigawatts by 2030) the need for skilled, safety informed workers will increase, and this course is the first step to ensuring the safety of all involved in that sector.
Irish Examiner
10-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Conor Mowlds departs Port of Cork role
The Port of Cork Company has announced the departure of its chief commercial officer. Conor Mowlds, who joined the company in 2018 and has played a key role in its growth and development since, is stepping down from his role in the coming weeks to take up a new international opportunity in the maritime sector. Mr Mowlds played a key role last year in the securing and delivery of a massive funding package to begin the delivery of new port infrastructure required for the offshore renewal energy (ORE) sector, to allow the port handle the ships and equipment needed to build vast offshore windfarms. Less than two weeks ago, he briefed EU Commissioner Michael McGrath on the company's ORE plans and funding requirements. Previously the head of the National Maritime College of Ireland in Ringaskiddy, Mr Mowlds has held various senior roles in both the public and private sectors in Ireland and the UK, including with GAC Group, NMCI Services, the Irish Maritime Development Office, and the Marine Institute. He is currently the chairperson of Cruise Ireland and was recently appointed to the board of the British Irish Chamber of Commerce. Originally from Dublin, he is a graduate in Maritime Business and Law from Southampton and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport. Port of Cork Company CEO, Ann Doherty, paid tribute to him for his work over the years. 'His deep industry expertise, commercial acumen, and dedication to the port's development have played a significant role in shaping our future. We wish Conor every success as he embarks on this exciting new chapter in his international career,' she said. Interim arrangements are being made, and details of the recruitment process for the chief commercial officer role will be published in due course, the port said.
Irish Examiner
19-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Prime €1.85m Cork Harbour development site hits market
A standout development site overlooking Cork Harbour, with flexible zoning and excellent transport links, is on the market in Ringaskiddy for €1.85m. Known as Paddy's Point, the 2.73ha (6.74a) waterfront site, formerly part of the Irish Steel portfolio, will have instant access to the new M28 motorway and is served by public transport. Pharma and biotech are among the likely interest parties in this €1.85m harbourside site at Paddy's Point, Ringaskiddy. Zoning under the county development plan permits offices, educational facilities, and research and development, ideally suited to nearby established operators seeking to expand within this major hub for pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. The site could also appeal to the MTU's Ringaskiddy-based National Maritime College of Ireland for expanded marine-related training, education, and innovation. Lisney's Gerard O'Callaghan says it's a 'spectacular site, with 270-degree views of Cork Harbour, and would make a magnificent office location'. 'What I would be saying to any big entities in Ringaskiddy considering investing in offices or R&D, is that this is a far better option than building on a greenfield campus down the road. 'I believe it would be hard to find the combination of this spectacular and idyllic setting, location, zoning, and infrastructure anywhere else in Ireland.' Mr O'Callaghan added that it had high potential for value growth as Cork's economic zone expands. 'This should encourage investment in the site. Any finished development would certainly be more valuable than a like-for-like development undertaken on a greenfield site, or adjoining a manufacturing campus elsewhere.' The site, which includes some foreshore, is comprised of 2ha of building land, with a 240 sq m storage shed and a secure hardstand compound. It's just 800m from the under-construction M28 motorway, and the 223 bus route terminus is across the road. Mr O'Callaghan said by the time new offices were built at Paddy's Point, the M28 should be completed as its due date is 2028. The new motorway is of critical importance to Ringaskiddy, which handles much of the region's freight as Cork Harbour's main deep-water port. 'I believe it offers a superb opportunity for an office development and will likely appeal to local multinationals and port-related companies,' Mr O'Callaghan said. The site was previously used by Irish Steel as a holding depot and was separated from the main campus (now an amenity park) by a bridge. Following Irish Steel's closure in 2001, it was sold to a local civil engineering contracting business and used for general storage and for accommodating plant. DETAILS: gocallaghan@ 9214275079.
Irish Examiner
29-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
'It's keeping him going': Families call for more funds for Alzheimer Society Cork centre
A call has been made for increased funding to meet the growing demand for the Alzheimer Society of Ireland's (ASI) Cork centre, which has around 200 people with dementia on a waiting list. The centre offers day-care with activities, as well as home services and activities for under-65s with dementia or Alzheimer's. Alzheimer Society of Ireland southern region operations manager Breda Twohig set out the pressures during the annual Tea Party fundraiser on Saturday in Bessboro. Kieran and Maria O'Donovan with their newest grandchild enjoying the Alzheimer Society of Ireland annual Tea Day fundraiser at Bessboro Day Centre, Cork, on Saturday. Picture: Chani Anderson 'We'd have about 10 under-65s and that's only the people we can accept. We've over 22 clients here every day,' she said. 'We've 200 on the waiting list. There's people here who could come for five days but we can't take them five days. We take them for one day and some come for three. [That] is the most we can do.' She welcomed funding increases in recent years but stressed: 'The staff are key really. They are the whole experience for somebody with dementia.' Claire and Betty Keohane enjoying the Alzheimer Society of Ireland's annual Tea Day fundraiser in Cork on Saturday. Picture: Chani Anderson They are trying to expand further in west Cork but have found it challenging to hire carers. 'People all genuinely want to mind their loved ones at home but they can't do it alone and they actually break down,' she said. 'Families would take 10 hours [a week] if we could give it to them so we have to be fair to people and be fair to where carers are situated.' Breeda Horan, 70, from Carrigaline with her husband Ger, 72, was one of those at the fundraiser. Breeda Horan, 70, from Carrigaline with her husband Ger, 72, at Saturday's Alzheimer Society of Ireland annual Tea Day fundraiser in Cork. Picture: Chani Anderson Ger was diagnosed with frontal lobe dementia in his early 60s, leaving the former National Maritime College of Ireland lecturer unable to work, Breeda said. It's been very hard for him, very hard. He looks perfect to people but if you go five minutes beyond that, you know there's something wrong. He attends the centre two days a week, which she said is 'a godsend really for both of us' now. 'I think it's keeping him going with all the therapies, the caring and he loves the music,' she said. 'I think it's the people here, the environment. He was always a people person.' For herself, she noticed a difference from the start also. Pat Dillon enjoying some time in the memory garden at the Bessboro Day Centre with her grandson Aaron during the Alzheimer Society of Ireland annual Tea Day fundraiser on Saturday. Picture: Chani Anderson 'It was like a weight off your shoulders,' she said. 'I could relax for a bit and I knew he was very safe here.' She is unsure what the future holds and is already discussing this with their adult children. 'I'm 70 now, so you can keep doing it as long as you think you can,' she said quietly. Alzheimer Society of Ireland southern region operations manager Breda Twohig in the memory garden at the Bessboro Day Centre in Cork. Picture: Chani Anderson Minister of state for older people Kieran O' Donnell announced this month the HSE has commissioned the first national dementia registry. This will map services and identify gaps nationally. It will gather data on medications and people's quality of life also.
