Month: August 2005

THERE’S a lot more written Irish in evidence these days, fol- lowing the Language Act. Many bodies are issuing Irish versions of their annual reports, and job advertisements and public notices are more frequently appearing in both English and Irish. But there’s not much Irish being used on shop fronts and the exteriors of restau- rants, pubs and other business premises, outside the Gaeltacht. .

This could change quite soon, however, if enough Clare busi- nesses take part in new pilot schemes offering financial as- sistance for bilingual signage. These are offered on a first come first served basis, and while the

schemes are open until a deadline of 14 October this year, the early bird has a better chance of catch- ing the worm. Foras na Gaeilge is offering this financial assistance to small and medium sized com- panies through two new schemes.

Under the outdoor signage scheme, it will provide match- ing funding to a maximum of €3,000, and under the materials scheme the maximum matching funding is €1,000.

Readers can apply for the schemes through Blathnaid Ni Ghréachain, An Rannog Gnd/ Business Sector, Foras na Gaeilge, telephone 01-6398438, email eno @forasnagaeilge.ie.

According to Foras na Gaeilge, an all-Ireland body set up in 1999, these bilingual/Irish language

schemes will give businesses a marketing advantage over com- petitors.

It says that the Irish language as a communication tool is becom- ing more important for businesses keen to attract new customers and to add value to their products.

“Using Irish is_ increasingly recognised as a potential Unique Selling Point for businesses,” said Blathnaid Ni Ghréachain.

“Using bilingual/Irish language signage, as well as print and mul- timedia materials, is a simple and cost-effective way of creating a positive image,’ she added.

“Both schemes will offer busi- nesses a competitive marketing edge and improve their customer services.”

THE ENNIS Chamber of Commerce has called for laws to make big business pay interest to small concerns on unpaid bills in a climate in which small firms are being crippled by late payments.

ISME, the independent business organisation said this week that small businesses are being squeezed to death by the failure of creditors to pay their bills on time.

According to a survey carried out by ISME, one-third of small companies are waiting long- er for payments than they did this time last year

and the distribution sector faces the biggest problem, with 41 per cent of those companies waiting longer now than they did last year.

While legislation exists to deal with prompt payments, Mark Fielding, Chief Executive of ISME, said that the laws are “not worth the pa- per they are written on. The evidence suggests that small companies are still being forced, particularly by accountancy-led big business to accept credit terms longer than those outlined in the legislation.”

CEO of the Ennis Chamber, Rita McInerney, said that the Chamber’s view on the Prompt Payments Legislation is that it is “a positive fa-

cility for business as it’s objective is to stimulate erowth and development. However, indigenous small businesses in Ireland are under increas- ing pressure, as they are operating in a country that has seen consistent rising costs while ex- pected to compete with the foreign stores and products.”

Ms McInerney said that while competition is healthy, mechanisms should be in place to en- courage domestic enterprises.

“It should be made easier for small businesses to implement the good intention of the Prompt Payments Legislation. It is time to rectify the situation where larger businesses can dictate

credit terms to small businesses while these smaller enterprises have to wait for payment and pay promptly themselves.

“When a government department or agency is late with a payment, they are obliged when settling an account to pay interest to their sup- plier on the overdue amount – private compa- nies should be made to adhere to these same conditions,’ the CAE said.

ISME is now calling on the government to amend the prompt payments legislation and in- troduce a mandatory level of 30 days for credit terms from the 53-day term which currently exists.

THE team at Design Shannon are hard at work researching a new train- ing programme for enterprises in the Shannon Region.

The project centres on developing a network of companies who are in- terested in participating in a training programme that focuses on design as a driver of innovation.

And the good news is that compa- nies could have their training subsi- dised by up to 75 per cent under the government’s Skillsnet initiative.

Design Shannon are currently in- viting SME’s to join them at 4pm on Thursday, August 25, at the Clarion Hotel, Steamboat Quay, Limerick, to discuss the programme in detail.

Design Shannon Skillnet will pro- vide access to cutting edge training and professional development.

The focus is on training that uses creativity to help capture premium niche markets rapidly and efficiently.

“The result we are promising is a training programme that works in creating a new Strategic direction for

each company’s business plan that is knowledge based, driven by good re- search and development and strong market foresight,” a spokeswoman for Design Shannon said.

The spokeswoman said that the pro- gramme “will be delivered locally and will base its topics and themes on issues that have been expressed to De- sign Shannon through its Design Au- dit and Design Cluster programmes.”

All participating companies will get an opportunity to collaborate and network with other members. Design Shannon will facilitate the network which will be driven by its participat- ing companies.

“We are currently seeking views and feedback on some of the key themes of the training programme as well as the core topics,’ the spokes- woman said.

Skillnets is an enterprise-led, part- nership based support body dedicated to the promotion and facilitation of learning as a key element in sustain- ing Ireland’s national competitiveness. For more information, log on to www. designshannon.ie/seminars.html.

Bed and Break- fast Business for immediate sale. Excellent Value. Phone 6828278

mahogany finish 60”°L 19”W 30H. In very good condition. Would suit rented property. Tel 087-9785079

house to let, two ensuite, all mod cons, 5 min- utes walk from Ennis Town Cen- tre. Tel 087-7979065

to share house in Park Avenue. Ensuite room. Located rear of Dunnes Stores Ennis. Tel 086-8521265

to let to a per- son with references. Kilkishen area. Tel 087 6950735.

to rent near town; all mod cons; fully furnished; side entrance; tel no (087) 6544946.

AN ENNIS couple who withdrew a plan- ning objection, after they were paid over €100,000 and given two free sites by a development company, may object to a €15m development by the same develop- ase

Last year, Vincent & Ann Coffey of Clonroad withdrew an objection against a €20 million housing scheme after reach- ing the deal with Luxury Homes (Gal- way) Ltd.

But, the payment did not stop the Cof- feys from successfully blocking a subse- quent application by the same developers to build a €10 million development on zoned lands in Ennis.

An Bord Pleanala upheld the Coffeys’ appeal against the decision by Clare County Council to grant planning per- mission to the company for 88 residential units on Ennis’s Quin Rd.

Now, Luxury Homes (Galway) Ltd have lodged plans with the Council for 108 two-bedroom apartments at Doora, En- eh

According to Managing Director of Luxury Homes (Galway) Ltd, Sean Cleary, the proposed new development lies “in the next field” to the development that was turned down last year, due to op- position from the Coffeys.

The deal with the Coffeys only emerged in correspondence received by An Bord Pleanala, before it rejected that develop- ment.

The Coffeys objected, arguing that their lands were used as a Knackery Yard and that if the housing was permitted, it would seriously impact on the validity of their operation.

The Coffeys were unavailable for com- ment this week. They have until Septem- ber 12 to lodge a submission with the Council.