| New Fisheries Funds Announced | Small Claims Court Extends Remit | Rate of Insolvencies Increase | Pilot Programme to Capitalise on Security Sector Opportunities | Winning Business Made Easier |
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NEW FISHERIES FUNDS ANNOUNCED |
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| The Department of Agriculture has announced four new European Union-backed fisheries programmes. Speaking at the Irish Skipper Inshore Fisheries Expo in Galway, the minister revealed that a total of €4.5 million will be available through 2010, with €1.82 million coming from the EU. The four new funds will cover: safety at sea, inshore fisheries management, environmental management of fisheries and LEADER type support for coastal communities dependent on fishing. |
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SMALL CLAIMS COURT EXTENDS REMIT |
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The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform has announced that the remit of the Small Claims Court is being extended to include small businesses. Businesses can now file claims against other businesses in respect of goods or services purchased up to the value of €2,000. However, claims cannot be made in respect of debts, personal injuries or breach of leasing or hire purchase agreements.
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RATE OF INSOLVENCIES INCREASE |
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New Statistics released recently reveal a significant increase in insolvencies in the month of February. The number of companies that went out of business in February was up by 33% – from 110 in January to 146. Statistics show that approximately five businesses per day went bust. The number of companies going into receivership appears to be slowing down however, with only 17 receivers appointed in February as compared to 21 in January. |
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PILOT PROGRAMME TO CAPITALISE ON SECURITY SECTOR OPPORTUNITIES |
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The government has launched a new scheme to help Irish SMEs take advantage of the growing civil security sector.
The Innovation Connections Programme, a new pilot initiative to be managed by InterTrade Ireland, will enable 60 businesses to take part in a series of workshops to discover the ‘unmet and future needs’ of this high growth market. The civil security sector is estimated to be worth more than €26 billion across Europe. This figure is expected to grow over the coming years due to increased regulation and ongoing security threats. InterTrade Ireland has identified 15 new business opportunities in key areas such as digital media, intelligent software and surveillance technology. Participants in the new pilot programme will be able to attend special workshops and get advice on how to develop new products, processes and services for these markets. |
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WINNING BUSINESS MADE EASIER |
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A new portal website, www.procurement.ie, is aiming to make it easier to find information on procurement opportunities in Ireland. Irish Public Sector Procurement Portal contains all the information companies need when working on public sector contracts in Ireland.
The new site points suppliers in the right direction with a page full of links to other websites that deal with public procurement in Ireland. Although most of the links point to the e-tenders site, there’s also a link to the Public Private Partnership site for those interested in government projects, as well as links to guidance on public sector procurement and supply. As more new facilities become available, the site will evolve to ensure it stays up to date. |
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