The Public Sector Magazine 2018 Awards Issue

the magazine for public sector providers & decision makers

2018

AWARDS ISSUE

RECOGNISING EXCELLENCE

WORKING TO KEEP OUR CITY SAFE FROM FLOODING

Adaptation - Resilience - Protection Comhairle Cathrach Bhaile Átha Cliath, Roinn Comhshaoil agus Iompair Tionscadail Tuilte agus Rannán um Chreat-treoir Uisce Dublin City Council, Environment and Transport Department, Regional Projects & Water Framework Directive Division

 www.dublincity.ie

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the magazine for public sector providers & decision makers the magazine for public sector providers & decision makers the magazine for public sector providers & decision makers

AWARDS ISSUE 2018 AWARDS ISSUE 2018 AWARDS ISSUE 2018 Ireland’s dedicated magazine for the Public Sector, Semi-State Bodies and Civil Servants

Public Sector Magazine Public Sector Magazine Public Sector Magazine

The recognition of peers is important in any sector but for one as vital as the Irish Public Sector, every accolade adds to a brand’s credibility. Corporate awards enhance a company’s reputation, help employees take pride in their work and instil confidence in customers about the quality and professionalism of an organisation. An award by any measure is a sign of excellence. This Awards publication recognises excellence in key providers to the Irish Public Sector acknowledging the professionalism of companies that excel in what they do.

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PASSION FOR EXCELLENCE INSPIRING EVENTS

We believe in creative thinking, ever challenging the status quo. We create and deliver exceptional experiences that inspire. Every meeting, conference, exhibition and event is tailored to fit needs and exceed your expectations.

Experience The CCD, an iconic destination in the heart of Dublin.

LET US INSPIRE YOU Call us today to make a booking +353 1 856 0000, email sales@theccd.ie or visit www.theccd.ie.

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Conference Facility Services to the Public Sector

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WORLD CLASS VENUE

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 The CCD Excellence in Conference Facility Services to the Public Sector

A world-class conference venue in the heart of Dublin city, The CCD has snagged the title of ‘Europe’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre’ for the second year running.

One of the most iconic buildings on the Dublin skyline, the Convention Centre Dublin (The CCD) was developed to provide a world-class conference venue in the heart of Ireland’s capital city. Located just 15 minutes from the airport, The CCD is ideally positioned to entice the international business tourism market.

The impressive cylindrical glass-fronted building was designed by acclaimed Irish architect Kevin Roche. Based in Connecticut, USA, Roche has won innumerable awards for his designs of over 300 major buildings around the world. The wonderful 55-metre high glass atrium offers guests amazing views right across the Dublin skyline and over the Dublin and Wicklow mountains. This immediate wow-factor makes an unforgettable first impression on all guests.

It’s a big space, with a gross internal floor area of 39,567 m². Yet, the space is flexible, arranged over several floors. “We have hosted events ranging from 5 to 5,500 delegates,” explains Stephen Meehan, Chief Executive, The Convention Centre Dublin.

“The space offers 22 flexible halls, meeting rooms and boardrooms including a 2,000-seat auditorium.” The fit-out here is incredible.

The entire venue is finished to the highest specifications, and also incorporates the latest technology including Wi-Fi for up to 22,000 devices.

No stranger to accolades, to date, the venue has won 40 industry awards, and continues to position Ireland on the world stage for international conferences, congresses and events.

On 30 June 2018 the The CCD retained the title of ‘Europe’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre’ at the 25th annual World Travel Awards in Athens, Greece. It was an impressive win, as the venue beat off tough competition from Austria Center Vienna, Berlin ExpoCenter City, ExCeL London, Fira Barcelona, Grand Resort Lagonissi, Istanbul Congress Center, Messe Frankfurt Convention Centre, MiCo Milano Congressi, Palais Des Congres De Paris and Palexpo.

“We strive to offer a truly world-class venue in every sense, from the quality of the facility, through to every aspect of our service.

Our aim is to offer conference and event organisers, as well as conference delegates, an unrivalled event experience.” says Meehan.

As a conference venue, The CCD provides a range of events services to all clients. Each client is assigned a core team of an Event Manager, a Technical Production Manager, and a Hospitality Manager, who are supported by a full range of in-house services.

The CCD has held many events, both large and small, for the public sector across the years, including the Department of Health, HSE,

and the Department of Justice’s Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service Citizenship Ceremonies.

Since opening in September 2010, The CCD has hosted over 1,600 events. As business tourists spend money on hotels, taxis, dining out, entertainment, shopping, cultural experiences and tourist attractions, events held at The CCD help to generate significant revenue for the Irish economy. “The public sector is absolutely a key segment of our national business.” says Meehan. “In addition, The CCD is a state building, the largest investment the state has made in tourism.” Meehan continues, as he outlines the strategic economic value of The CCD to the Irish economy, “The purpose of such a convention centre is to attract business tourism and International Conference Delegates (ICDs) to Dublin. Each ICD is worth j1,600 to the local economy. Since opening in September 2010, the economic impact that The CCD has had is in excess of j350m”.

Meehan and The CCD team are not ones to rest on their laurels however, “Last year, we developed our Vision 2025 and we will build our business in line with this,” says Meehan, “Our vision is to be ‘the world’s favourite venue, experts in delivering world class events. We set the standard for excellence, creating memories and experiences worth sharing’. We work passionately to create inspirational and exceptional experiences for everyone who comes to The CCD”.

Never standing still, but continuously innovating, leveraging technological advancements and listening to their customers to understand changing needs is squarely behind the success of The CCD. Asked if he had any messages especially for readers of the Public Sector Magazine, Meehan had this to say, “I would like to thank your public sector readers for their business and support across the last eight years. I look forward to continuing working with existing clients and forging relationships with new ones.”

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Port Centre, Alexandra Road, Dublin 1 T: +35318876000

www.dublinport.ie

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Marine Services as Ireland’s busiest & largest Port

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Dublin Port Company is the body responsible for the running of Dublin Port. The Port handles almost 50% of all trade in the Republic of Ireland. Located in the heart of Dublin City and at the hub of the national road and rail network, Dublin Port is a key strategic access point for Ireland and in particular the Dublin area.

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Dublin Port

As Ireland’s busiest and largest port, Dublin Port’s large share of national port volumes arises due to a combination of two factors, location and depth of water. Dublin Port is a key part of the national port system and Dublin Port Company seeks to ensure that it plays its role in providing national port capacity.

The Dublin Port Company is a state-owned commercial company responsible for operating and developing the Port. Dublin Port is the largest freight and passenger port in Ireland with all cargo handling activities being carried out by private sector companies operating in intensely competitive markets within the Port.

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FIRST PORT OF CALL

Excellence in Marine Services Sector as Ireland’s Busiest and Largest Port

working with the various arms of the state to ensure the trusted running of Port operations irrespective of what a final deal looks like,” explains O’Reilly.

“We continue to invest heavily in making sure the Port meets the needs of Ireland over the next 40 years. We are set for another record year this year in terms of Port activity and as our country and economy continues to grow, we will be helping to drive and support this.”

“The public sector is very important to us,” explains CEO Eamonn O’Reilly. “We supply private and public sector needs in Ireland and as Ireland’s largest port, we are a vital national asset. We have invested strongly in the Port which can be seen with the Alexander Basin Redevelopment (ABR) which has already proved its worth and is now able to accommodate bigger ships such as the 253m long MV Celine, which wouldn’t have been possible without investment.

We are always looking to future proof the Port to meet increasing demand and we have been proud to make a dividend payment to the exchequer over recent years.”

Future proofing and planning is hugely important and to this end the Port recently published the Dublin Port Masterplan 2018 – 2040 Reviewed. The first review of the Masterplan commenced in 2017 with the purpose of ensuring that Masterplan 2040 remains relevant and achieves its central objective of providing a clear vision for the sustainable development of Dublin Port into the future.

“The context for the review has been economic resurgence with five years of consistent growth in cargo volumes (30% growth since 2012) and each of the last three years being a record year, while national policy continues to evolve with the publication of Project Ireland 2040 National Planning Framework,” explains O’Reilly.

Development works at Dublin Port are already well advanced with construction of the ABR Project underway and capital investment of j1 billion planned over the next decade. Elsewhere, works have commenced on the development of the 44-hectare Dublin Inland Port adjacent to Dublin Airport. Between now and 2040, other major development projects are envisaged on both the north side of the Port and on the Poolbeg Peninsula to complete the development vision of Masterplan 2040.

In the immediate future Brexit will be an issue but Dublin Port are well prepared. “We are making significant preparations for Brexit –

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Rising to the challenge Pragmatic legal advice for the public sector The increasing legal and regulatory challenges facing public bodies and utilities require innovative and commerciallyfocussed lawyers who have the expertise and experience necessary to guide clients successfully through the issues.

As a leading global and Irish law firm, Eversheds Sutherland is ideally placed to assist.

We advise State bodies, semi-State organisations, sector regulators as well as local and central government on all aspects of their activities and our cost-effective, efficiently delivered service is led by some of the sector’s top advisors.

We look forward to working with you.

Peter Curran Partner +353 1 6644 990 petercurran @eversheds-sutherland.ie

Pamela O’Neill Partner +353 1 6644 241 pamelaoneill @eversheds-sutherland.ie

eversheds-sutherland.ie

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Legal Services

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EXPERT LEGAL SERVICES

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Eversheds Sutherland Excellence in Legal Services

Eversheds Sutherland is Ireland’s only full-service international law firm providing expert legal services to a public sector and commercial client base across a broad spectrum of areas. It is one of the largest full-service law firms in the world with 5,000 people working from 66 offices in 32 jurisdictions.

The firm operates in major cities throughout Europe, the US, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. On the island of Ireland, there are almost 300 staff across offices in Dublin and Belfast.

“We offer a wide range of advisory services to public sector bodies including central government, local government, semi-state, local authorities and public institutions,” explains Partner Pamela O’Neill.

“We are particularly active in advising on public procurement, regulation (the firm has one of the largest regulatory practices in Ireland), healthcare, infrastructure projects, education, property and financial services.

“We work with our clients on dispute resolution and non-contentious matters alike, and we regularly provide training and workshops to clients on specific areas of law that are most relevant to them. In addition to these core areas of legal services, we provide corporate governance and board training for many of our clients in the sector.”

The firm also has a specialist team of education lawyers who advise a significant number of first, second and third level institutions including UCD, TCD and UCC; further education institutions; education and training boards; educational bodies and their insurers and hundreds of schools. Eversheds Sutherland are one of the few firms in Ireland that specialises in Education Law and they undoubtedly have a marketleading position in this sector. They are also a leading firm in the public healthcare sector, offering a full range of services to public healthcare clients drawing on a broad range of disciplines and lawyers who are leaders in their respective fields.

the procurement of the National Children’s Hospital in Dublin; • Eirgrid on the procurement of the Celtic Interconnector – a new electricity pipeline to be constructed between Ireland and France; • Dublin Port on a range of infrastructure matters relating to the redevelopment of the Alexandra Basin; and • Trinity College Dublin on its proposed new j1bn campus in the Grand Canal Innovation District.

“We are advising bidders or consortium members tendering for significant Government contracts such as the National Broadband Project, the National Vehicle Testing Contract and the M50 Electronic Tolling Contract. We also continue to advise bodies such as the Residential Tenancies Board, the Insolvency Service of Ireland, the National Standards Authority of Ireland and the Personal Injures Assessment Board on a wide range of matters relating to their activities.”

Curran and O’Neill feel that the public sector practice at Eversheds Sutherland is unique to the Irish market. As Ireland’s only full-service international law firm, we offer a breadth of service and resources that ultimately provides our public sector clients with premium legal advice on time and with value for money.

“We understand the challenges facing the public sector. What is most important to us is that every client receives personal attention, dedicated service and the most appropriate integrated advice that finds solutions to these challenges.”

Partner Peter Curran explains that in recent years, the firm’s public sector practice has risen to prominence as the team continues to grow and invest in the sector. “We have won – and continue to win - many significant public sector mandates, while retaining key appointments for numerous long-standing clients in the sector” he says. “We are fortunate enough to work with some of the most important institutions in the country such as the HSE, CIE, Office of Government Procurement, Residential Tenancies Board, Irish Water, Financial Services Ombudsman and the National Treasury Management Agency.”

According to Curran, his market-leading team is advising the Irish State and public bodies on a number of major infrastructure projects including: • National Development Finance Agency on its Social Housing PPP Programme and Third Level PPP bundles; • National Paediatric Hospital Development Board on aspects of

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Happy to be Members of INMO Join INMO the Complete Package for Nurses and Midwives

The Irish Nurses & Midwives Organisation The Whitworth Building, North Brunswick Street, Dublin 7, D07 NP8H Tel: +353 1 6640600 | Fax: 01 6610466 | Email: inmo@inmo.ie

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Medical Services to the Public Sector

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 INMO Excellence in Medical Services to the Public Sector

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) will celebrate its centenary year next year 2019. In the last century of activity, the organisation has grown from a very small group of nurses, who assembled to advance the professions of nursing and midwifery both professionally and in terms of their pay and conditions, to a now 40,000 strong trade union and professional organisation serving the needs of all nurses and midwives in Ireland starting from their very first day as a student and continuing well into their retirement.

siting of our education centre in the iconic Richmond Hospital building as a key development in the provision of public health services in Ireland.

The Richmond hosted the first ever post registration education course for nurses in Ireland and it is appropriate that it will now be the home of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation’s education and event centre.

We aim to provide continuous professional development courses to our members who are nurses and midwives in excellent surroundings and at the most reasonable cost.”

The organisation has recently, as part of the celebrations for the 100th year of the all-Ireland Midwives Act, consolidated a partnership with the Royal College of Midwives which now sees members having access to the most up to date research and education facilities for midwives across the globe.

With regard to the health service Phil Ni Sheaghdha said, “there are many examples of excellent healthcare being provided through our public service and nurses and midwives have shown themselves to be in the forefront of innovation and flexibility meeting the needs of patients.

The current crisis of staffing needs to be tackled as a matter or urgency and without making the overall remuneration package for nurses and midwives better it is difficult to see how the necessary numbers will be recruited in the coming years”. Ni Sheaghdha highlights the on-going issue of patients on trolleys, “The INMO have been counting admitted patients awaiting beds on trolleys for many years now and we can see no respite from that coming into the winter. It is important that the public get behind the health service and value the treasure that it is. The problems of the health service arise from sporadic funding followed by cutbacks which has never allowed it to develop its full potential. Health must be seen as an investment and the public must make this a political issue in the next general election”.

David Hughes, Deputy General Secretary of the INMO reminds us “At the heart of the philosophy of the INMO is a firm belief that providing excellence in care requires respected professionals who themselves are treated fairly with dignity and respect and a healthy work environment.”

The organisation, from its very earliest days, has provided professional post-registration education to the professions of nursing and midwifery.

The INMO has been at the cutting edge in the development of the professions of nursing and midwifery in Ireland throughout the last 100 years. The INMO were key advocates in the movement which led to the Commission on Nursing Report of September 1998, which has been the blueprint from a nursing and midwifery perspective in the new millennium. It advocated for and achieved the elevation of the professions to degree status and has continuously promoted clinical nurse specialisms and advanced nurse practice throughout the Irish health service. The organisation has given voice to the advocacy of nurse and midwife members on behalf of patients and the need for adequate services. It was a key driver in promoting multi-annual planning for health services into the future and through the Irish Congress of Trade Unions advanced the policy which is now being adopted as SLAINTE Care.

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The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation reminds us to value our health service as the treasure it is, while it focuses on excellence and continuous professional development ahead of 2019 Centenary Celebrations

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The INMO conference and event centre is open for business and, given its size, there is space available for short term rent with generous discounts applying to public service organisations.

The INMO is totally committed to a single tier public health system with access based on a health need and not on wealth.

Professional development has always been a key concern for the INMO. The need for continuous professional development is now enshrined in Law and regulation requiring nurses and midwives to demonstrate their continuous professional development will come into place next year. In preparation for this, the INMO have invested considerably in the purchase of the old Richmond Hospital which has been refurbished to an elegant high standard and will act as the organisation’s nursing and midwifery education centre for many years into the future. Phil Ni Sheaghdha the General Secretary of the organisation said “we see the

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OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Insurance, Education Sector

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Allianz

Allianz Insurance has proudly supported people and communities since 1890 and for many decades have enjoyed the privileged position of being the insurer of choice for Ireland’s education sector.

Excellence in Insurance for the Education Sector

Allianz operates on an all-Ireland basis and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Allianz SE, one of the world’s largest insurers. A thorough understanding of the sector’s risk containment needs and a service based on fairness are the fundamental elements of their long-standing relationships within the sector.

Looking to the public sector, Alan Black, Religious & Education Customer Relationship Manager says that Allianz provide a comprehensive insurance solution for schools, tailored to meet their evolving needs. “We are proud to be the leading supplier of school insurance to both the primary and secondary school sector,” he says.

Allianz have a network of local service representatives strategically placed throughout the country to provide a personal service to schools. “Our local representatives have many years of experience and expertise in schools Insurance and can provide assistance and guidance on a range of school insurance related matters,” Black explains. “This local personal service is a pillar of our service commitment to schools.

“We believe that our involvement within the education sector defines us as an organisation.

Through the products and services we provide, we have for decades proudly played our part in the safe and continuous facilitation of educational services to generations of the nation’s children. This gives us a privileged place in the homes and communities of every county in Ireland. We are both humbled and justifiably proud of our long tenure within this critically important sector for Ireland’s future.”

Allianz offer schools participation in a Pupil Personal Accident insurance scheme which complements their school insurance policy. This provides parents and guardians with the option to protect against medical and dental costs incurred as a result of an accident. This can be arranged on a 24hour basis (provides cover for their child outside of school hours) for less than j10 per child.

An excellent and particularly good value scheme.

Allianz promise to school customers is to: • Deliver value for money.

• Provide local service and risk management support through our dedicated customer service teams.

• Provide expertise and guidance throughout the life time of a claim.

• Ensure your School claims are settled fairly and promptly.

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OUTRIGHT WINNERS Legal Dispute Resolution Award

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JOHN FARAGE O’BRIEN

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 John Farage O’Brien Legal Dispute Resolution Award

John Farage O’Brien, the Delgany-based firm of alternative dispute resolution consultants, are delighted to be named as outright winner for services to the public sector by Public Sector magazine – for the second year running.

The firm has been centrally involved in successfully settling some of the largest commercial disputes in the state over the past 15 years, between public sector bodies and private contractors. Here, John O’Brien explains the complexity of legal dispute resolution and how his firm can be an invaluable resource in resolving difficult issues.

Efficient public sector dispute resolution is crucial to preserving the health of our nation’s capital expenditure on infrastructure. Construction disputes are inherently very complex, as they usually involve all four key construction industry disciplines (commercial, contractual, legal and technical), to varying degrees and with varying weightings depending on circumstances.

When there is a deficit in knowledge, appreciation, understanding or practical experience in any of these separate disciplines, this can quickly give rise to areas of doubt and uncertainty and lead parties to seek external advice from consultants, lawyers and experts — in many cases solely to justify an entrenched position.

The public sector has a responsibility to protect the taxpayer’s purse and must be satisfied that the decisions it makes about paying private contractors increases on the contract sum can withstand objective scrutiny by the public accounts authority. Equally, the taxpayer must be protected from exposure to unnecessary legal and consultant costs in cases that should never have been allowed to escalate to arbitration or court.

A party armed with the benefit of weighted, expert advice across all four disciplines will enormously increase its chances of an early resolution, thus avoiding unnecessary proceedings. John Farage O’Brien is one of the few consultancies with a proven track record of providing advice to a consistently high standard, with expertise and experience in all of these disciplines.

A party often discovers that the facts and interpretations underlying their initial opinion may overlap with but are seldom identical to

those of the party with whom they are in dispute. By listening, learning and accepting new facts and interpretations from each other, their opinions tend to evolve and they can normally come to an agreement on the subject matter.

The conciliation process is one such ADR forum, designed to extract and share all of the facts, and to consider and test the interpretations from both parties. It allows the disputants to remain in control by offering each the time and opportunity to tease out and examine the influences that formed their initial opinion, while assessing the impact that the discovery of new facts may bring.

This process is guided by an expert conciliator who has dexterity and competence across the four key construction disciplines, so that he/ she can objectively assist in the movement of opinion by one or both parties.

If the parties do not reach mutual agreement, then the conciliator drafts a recommendation. Depending on the conciliation rules

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which the parties have agreed to under the contract, the recommendation normally has a shelf life of two weeks and, if not rejected, becomes binding on the parties. If either rejects the conciliator’s recommendation, then the parties escalate the dispute to Arbitration.

Closing a dispute is of paramount importance to any organisation wishing to progress in its core activity or business. Closure is achieved primarily in two ways — one, where the parties remain in control by assisted negotiation, mediation or conciliation and reach a settlement by agreement or by accepting a recommendation; or two, where the parties lose control and an arbitrator or judge finally decides the outcome.

After years of resolving contractual disputes between public sector and private sector organizations, John Farage O’Brien have witnessed creative energies flowing backwards and forwards between well-organised parties fully engaged in an ADR process.

Any willingness shown by the parties to investigate and accept new facts and interpretations from each other, coupled with modifying their initial opinions, was rewarded with a successful early closure, settling differences by agreement and avoiding a full-blown, time-consuming and costly dispute.

party indulges in drafting pleadings, pursuing discovery and attending hearings, at an enormous cost of hiring lawyers, consultants and expert witnesses for both claimant and respondent.

Ironically, we have experienced parties that were so entrenched in their initial position that they failed to engage fully in the first step, mediation or conciliation, only to find themselves battle-worn midway through an arbitration, calling ‘time out’ and ending up right back in mediation, which became a parallel confidential process where settlement was always reached.

Across the globe, commercial organisations are now choosing to remain in control during dispute resolution by using mediation processes. Mediation has now surpassed the traditional adversarial route of litigation and the Mediation Act of 2017 came into force in this jurisdiction on 1 January 2018. The success of mediation is rooted in a party’s ability to collaborate and run its own live risk register from the outset, updating and recalculating its exposure to risk when new facts or interpretations are discovered during the process.

Disagreements are a natural part of life, and parties should be encouraged and respected when they reach a sensible, mutual agreement without the need for a judicial award being imposed.

But where parties initially failed to engage in mediation or conciliation, we have found they remained in a positional state which inevitably led to a judicial process, where an Arbitrator took full control and finally decided the outcome for the parties, sometimes years later.

Commercial organisations that are risk aware do not need judicial decisions imposed upon them. They are, rather, capable of deciding for themselves what is a sensible and reasonable settlement, as the live risk matrices unfold.

In arbitration, a party’s energies are completely absorbed in an adversarial process that steals time and resources. Each

John FFF O’Brien is the Principal of John Farage O’Brien Ltd. He is an accredited Mediator, Conciliator and Arbitrator.

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To disagree with someone is a healthy and very human thing to do. It is our differences in opinion that make us individuals, and this fosters conversation, debate and learning.

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Architectural & Project Management Award

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 C+W O'Brien Architects Architectural & Project Management Award

Award-winning architects C+W O’Brien are building on rock-solid foundations to deliver design-led architectural projects that soar.

C+W O’Brien is a leading, award winning architectural practice with 10 offices across Ireland and the UK, and is a part of the Corstorphine + Wright Architects Group. Marrying 35 years of professional experience with cutting edge technologies, C+W O’Brien produce design solutions that enhance the built environment, transform cities and communities and achieve outstanding commercial success for their clients.

C+W O’Brien’s exciting portfolio of innovative clients includes Ireland and the UK’s largest property PLCs, along with the leading developers and property and pension funds. Whilst their specialities cover a wide range of sectors, the bulk of revenue arises from complex and large-scale residential developments featuring commercial, industrial and retail projects.

Director Arthur O’Brien is understandably proud of the team’s achievements. Recently, these have included reaching number 45 in the Architects Journal (AJ) Top 100 practices in the world in 2018 and winning the prestigious Public Sector Magazine Award for Excellence in Business and Architecture and Project Management for four

consecutive years (2015 – 2018). C+W O’Brien have also received awards and acknowledgements from a number of Irish and UK bodies including the Irish Construction Industry Awards, Building and Architect of the Year Awards, British Council for Offices, the British Council of Shopping Centres and the International Council for Shopping Centres.”

“As a practice, we stand out as one of the few architects with the range of skills to take projects through from concept to completion, offering the vision to design world-class schemes and the technical skills and commercial awareness required to deliver them on time and within budget, “ says O’Brien. “We understand that great architectural designs need to be aspirational, but they also need to be deliverable.

To ensure they work in the real world we take an holistic approach to our projects, making sure that we consider them from every angle.”

C+W O’Brien like to ensure that their developments don’t just look good; they also deliver incredible and long-term value, meeting clients’ objectives and the needs and desires of the end users for whom they were conceived.

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1 Molesworth Street, Goshawk Office

In addition to architectural talent, C+W O’Brien also employ an in-house team of graphic designers and 3D animators who add value for clients throughout all projects. “Our animators help us to accurately convey the vision for the project and create virtual environments which can be tested, developed and improved”, says O’Brien. “These sketch models and animations help to speed up the design process and bring added value through an early understanding of the projects goals”, he explains.

more – while tackling all the protocols demanded in a modern office.”

Always at the forefront of industry developments, C+W O’Brien invest in the latest technology and skills, in order to continually innovate, and go the extra mile for their clients.

While keeping their noses to the grindstone O’Brien’s eyes are firmly fixed on what’s on the horizon and data centres are a very busy part of the portfolio. Ireland continues to be a leader in the digital economy and the demand for these centres has been acknowledged at government level.

“Their importance cannot be overstated in terms of creating a cohesive, strategic plan for the economy in the future and for these reasons we would certainly welcome a refining of the decision-making process for planning”, says O’Brien.

An article of this length could not encompass the many projects C+W O’Brien have in the pipeline, but O’Brien provides a flavour of some of the current work they are looking forward to completing in the near future.

“Our hotel project in Clonshaugh received a grant of planning within 8 weeks without any requests for further information and we are now immersed in the equally ambitious construction stage”, he says.

“With our client Goshawk Aviation, we completed the fit out of their new 1,200 sq. metre office. This project was office design and fit out at its most cutting edge – creating a work space that answered all our client’s business needs and

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In addition, C+W O’Brien are imminently going on site in Beckett Locke with client SACO Apartments. This 241 room apart-hotel has a delivery date of September 2020 and is a much-needed addition to the area, providing corporate travellers and organisations with a range of facilities including serviced apartments, gym, restaurant, co-working and co-living spaces.

“As a practice, we were very excited about the launch of our new brand and website in the early autumn. We already had a strong social media presence and our website will provide us with a ‘shop window’ to display how we work and the innovative thought behind each of our projects” says O’Brien, “This is, after all, how we win new clients and retain those we have dealt with to date.”

“Combining knowledge, experience and creativity into vision and value”

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OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Customer Protection

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 CRU Excellence in Customer Protection

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is Ireland’s independent energy and water regulator whose public interest mandate is to empower and protect customers and to support Ireland’s transition to a low carbon future.

The CRU’s remit is broad and includes protecting lives through their safety remit, facilitating infrastructure investment and ensuring a clear regulatory framework for industry stakeholders, such as energy suppliers and generators.

The CRU’s key functions include the economic regulation of energy. Its aims are to protect the interests of energy customers, maintain security of supply and to promote competition covering the generation and supply of electricity and supply of natural gas.

The organisation is the economic regulator of the public and wastewater sector, protecting the interests of customers by monitoring the performance of Irish Water and ensuring investment in water and wastewater infrastructure in a cost-efficient manner.

The CRU’s remit also covers energy safety regulation, protecting lives across a range of areas from offshore exploration and production to safety in the home.

The CRU Customer Care Team plays an important role in customer protection, providing information and dispute resolution services to help domestic and small business customers who have questions or complaints in relation to energy or water. During 2017, there were almost 3,000 contacts to the Customer Care Team. There were also 232 investigations opened into complaints within the energy sector, 46% of which were either upheld in favour of the customer or the customer accepted a settlement offer.

The CRU works with the Northern Ireland Utility Regulator to regulate the all-island Single Electricity Market. The recently launched new I-SEM market is more competitive, enables more renewable generation and ensures that generators and other service providers deliver services that customers need.

the National Smart Metering Programme.

Previous national trials demonstrated that with better information from smart meters, customers saved money by using less energy, or moving electricity use to off-peak times. These savings can benefit all customers who are willing to make a few simple changes in their energy use.

Over time, smart meters can deliver wider benefits by ensuring that electric vehicle owners are incentivised to charge off-peak, enabling people with solar PV to sell electricity to the grid, or facilitating more innovative services such as dynamic tariffs paired with smart home technology.

ESB Networks will start rolling out smart meters on a phased basis in 2019. International experience has shown how important it is to help customers understand smart meters, what the benefits are and how to ensure a high standard of customer protection and rights.

The CRU is therefore working with key stakeholders on a customer engagement strategy to ensure that customers are fully-informed and confident in adopting smart services.

The CRU is committed to keeping members of the public informed when it comes to their energy savings, safety and rights. They recently launched a consumer engagement campaign, Switch On, to provide information about these topics. The campaign was a new departure for the CRU and was targeted at members of the public who may not be aware of their rights or the options available to them from engaging with the energy market. For their commitment to keeping members of the public informed when it comes to their energy savings, safety and rights and their investment in excellent customer care, the CRU is commended for Excellence in Customer Protection in the 2018 Public Sector Magazine Awards.

While Irish energy customers are active by international comparisons, CRU research shows that they often lack the information or confidence to make the best choices. The CRU is therefore ensuring that customers receive “nudges” such as reminders at the end of discount periods, or better information, such as the recent introduction of the Estimated Annual Bill which makes comparing energy offers easier.

As the energy sector is undergoing transformational change, the CRU is working to ensure that customers have the opportunity to benefit from, rather than simply paying for, this transition. This means empowering customers to benefit from lower prices at times of high renewable generation and to be more active participants in energy markets. This is why, working with policy-makers and industry, the CRU has decided to upgrade energy meters through

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WE’RE BACKING DEDICATION IN

HEALTHCARE Ask about some of the ways we’re backing the healthcare industry.

WE’RE BACKING BRAVE #backedbyAIB

Mary-Clare Roche-Nagle Senior Manager – Healthcare Corporate Banking 087 295 2379 maryclare.b.rochenagle@aib.ie

Tanya Twomey Senior Manager – Healthcare Corporate Banking 086 042 6632 tanya.p.twomey@aib.ie

Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c. is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Healthcare Services within the Public Sector

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 AIB Corporate Banking Excellence in Services to the Healthcare Sector

AIB Corporate Banking’s dedicated healthcare team delivers a range of specialist solutions to the healthcare sector.

AIB Corporate Banking is the leading banking partner for healthcare businesses, both public and private, backing their customers’ dreams and ambitions across the country.

“Our dedicated healthcare team is solely focused on the healthcare industry and delivering excellence for our customers,” explains Mary-Clare Roche-Nagle, Senior Manager - Healthcare, AIB Corporate Banking.

This healthcare specialism allows AIB Corporate Banking to offer key industry insight and fully understand the unique challenges and opportunities in the sector in order to add value to the businesses they deal with. AIB Corporate Banking pride themselves on their solution based approach and work hard to back their customers in the realization of their ambitions.

“As an AIB Corporate Banking client of our Healthcare team, our committed Relationship Management structure offers each customer a dedicated Relationship Manager who acts as a ‘one stop shop’,” says Tanya Twomey, Senior Manager - Healthcare, AIB Corporate Banking, “This Relationship Manager is supported by a wealth of product specialists across different areas of the Bank.”

AIB Corporate Banking design bespoke financing solutions to suit each customer’s requirements from Senior and Mezzanine debt, Equity solutions, Corporate Finance advisory services along with day-to-day traditional banking services.

AIB’s support for the healthcare sector nationally has grown steadily over the decades. Their aim is to support their customers’ growth ambitions and AIB are very proud to provide funding to improve Ireland’s national healthcare infrastructure and on-going enhancement of medical treatments and technology. This results in a continuously improved medical and care offering for the people of Ireland.

AIB’s customers range from state agencies, acute hospitals, residential care providers, non-acute step-down carers, primary care centres, specialised clinics and other specific healthcare service providers, many of whom are directly funded by the state or indirectly through various initiatives such as the Special Delivery Unit, Fair Deal Scheme and others.

The services AIB Corporate Banking provides to these customers ranges from day to day banking services to bespoke financing packages to fund construction and expansion of new facilities, acquisitions, capital expenditure, asset finance, trade finance and foreign exchange.

“We have also been privileged to provide input into recent Government policy reviews over recent years as a key stakeholder for the sector,” outlines Mary-Clare.

Mary-Clare stresses the importance of the healthcare sector to AIB Corporate Banking. “It is a key area of focus,” she says, “Demand for

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Healthcare services has continued to expand with increased ageing population, life expectancy, associated instances of chronic diseases and advanced medical treatments.” In response, AIB’s dedicated Healthcare team is specifically tasked with identifying new opportunities and playing an important role in continuously improving the healthcare infrastructure and services for individuals and families.

“We are fully committed to the continuation of our long tradition of partnership within this industry,” says MaryClare. To demonstrate this firm commitment to the sector, AIB Corporate Banking continues to take a leading role in backing numerous customers, on-going capital expenditure projects, large scale Healthcare infrastructure projects and initiatives aimed at improving care and enhancing the delivery of modern facilities, medical technology and diagnostics.

AIB Corporate Banking are heavily involved in funding and supporting numerous projects across the Healthcare sector at present.

The shortage of long and short term stay residential care beds continues to be a feature and Mary-Clare reveals that AIB are actively funding new, modern, purpose built residential care infrastructure across Ireland to ensure the highest standards are provided to residents.

Hospitals are not just about beds - the acute hospital sector

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requires continuous investment in capital expenditure in order to maintain the cutting-edge medical technology and provide the latest advanced treatments to patients along with increased capacity. “AIB Corporate Banking are heavily involved with hospitals to provide this funding on an ongoing basis,” says Tanya.

The development of the Primary Care network continues to grow and it is a key component to the Sláintecare Report (The Oireachtas Committee Report on the Future of Healthcare in Ireland). AIB Corporate Banking is playing its role in the support of the roll-out of the Primary Care Strategy in order to increase the range of services provided at local levels in communities.

Numerous other healthcare related projects are in the pipeline which include specialised clinics and advanced care centres.

Tanya outlines the vision “We at AIB Corporate Banking are passionate about supporting our customers to realise their dreams and ambitions. We back our customers and work in full partnership with them to find financing solutions and ensure we add value to their business.”

Tanya is also acutely aware of the key role AIB plays in the Healthcare sector, “We are very proud to be involved in such a dynamic sector which has a real impact on individuals and families in Ireland,” she says.

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Best Homecare Provider & Outstanding Service to the Elderly

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Home Instead Senior Care Best Homecare Provider

Home Instead Senior Care has now been working with Ireland’s seniors for more than 13 years, providing outstanding care services which help elderly people live healthy, happy lives at home.

Working with the Health Service Executive (HSE), public health nurses and a range of other stakeholders across the public and private sectors, the company is committed to enhancing the lives of older people and their families.

“We provide a wide range of nonmedical home care services, from companionship and personal care to more complicated services such as dementia care and palliative care, and these are tailored on a case-by-case basis,” says Tony O’Donovan, Director of Corporate Operations at Home Instead Senior Care.

“Our services are delivered by a team of 4,000 expertly trained CAREGivers, operating out of 24 offices all over Ireland. We’ve been in operation since 2005, and the company is still growing fast – last year Home Instead added some 1,600 new CAREGivers to the team,” he says.

Quality Home Care Home Instead Senior Care was successful in the recent HSE tender to provide Home Support Services in all nine ‘Community Health Organisation’ (CHO) regions in the country. The HSE’s Home Support Service is an invaluable public service for many of our Shane Jennings, Director of Franchise Operations ageing people. It facilitates the growing numbers of Ireland’s older population who would prefer to stay at peace of mind, knowing their loved ones are getting exceptional home rather than visit a hospital or a nursing home, while reducing care,” he adds. pressures on hospitals by helping people to return to their homes A Leader in Healthcare more quickly.

Home Instead is committed to enhancing public awareness on issues that affect older people and providing leadership in the fields where “Home Instead Senior Care’s success in the tender was in large part it excels. One recent activity is the series of dementia workshops it down to the quality of services that we have become renowned held throughout the country. for and it means that people who qualify for HSE Home Support Services can choose Home Instead as a preferred provider, “Over the years we’ve developed significant expertise in dementia anywhere in the country,” says Mr O’Donovan. care in Ireland and during the recent World Alzheimer’s Month we held a series of ‘Confidence to Care’ workshops all over the country.

“Those who choose us will receive an expert level of service from The Confidence to Care programme was developed in tandem our dedicated CAREGivers, while their family members will enjoy

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with our colleagues and research partners in the US. The workshops were aimed at educating the public about this most important health issue and helping families and their loved ones with Alzheimer’s or other dementias to cope with everything from diagnosis to care,” says Mr O’Donovan.

Home Instead believes that technology has and will continue to provide the sector with a means of providing even better care to the older population. It has teamed up with a consortium of 12 partners across six countries on an EU digital health research programme, titled ProACT. The research is led by Trinity College Dublin with other Irish partners including Dundalk Institute of Technology, IBM Ireland and Tyndall.

individual and those supporting them, such as GPs, public health nurses, family members and CAREGivers.

“Increased awareness, more positive attitudes and better health are just some of the benefits reported by ProACT participants, and we look forward to sharing the results in due course,” he adds.

Strategic alliances Recent studies suggest that Ireland’s older people would prefer to remain living at home for as long as possible, and ‘the Home Instead way’ is designed to help them achieve this. As our population continues to age, the company will build on its network of alliances in health care, research and education.

“ProACT is a digital integrated care system which hopes to support people over 65 in managing two or more chronic conditions at home, including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, diabetes, Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) and coronary heart disease,” says Shane Jennings, Director of Franchise Operations at Home Instead Senior Care.

“We’re a global company which takes a local approach by building strong relationships and strategic alliances with organisations that care about our seniors, and naturally, many of our closest friends are operating in the public sector,” says Mr Jennings.

“The cross-platform system aims to empower users to take better control of their symptoms, and to share this information with those in their care network. Going into the second half of the 12-month proof-of-concept trial, the ProACT research team will introduce new features to participants and continue to collect feedback from the

“Therefore, we’re delighted to receive this recognition from Public Sector Magazine, and we’d welcome opportunities to engage with like-minded organisations who are aligned with our mission – to enhance the lives of older people and their families – as our company and the home care sector continue to evolve.”

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“For their experience and expertise�

Thelma Mansfield

Homeinstead.ie

Call 1890 930 847

Committed to Excellence.

Contact: Feargal Brennan Managing Partner Direct: +353 1 691 5276 Email: fbrennan@byrnewallace.com Michelle NĂ­ LongĂĄin Employment Law Partner & Head of Public Sector Group Direct: +353 1 691 5662 Email: mnilongain@byrnewallace.com www.byrnewallace.com

Ireland Client Service Award - Chambers Europe 2017 | Excellence in Client Service - Irish Law Awards 2018 Deal of the Year Loans & Financing (SME Sector) - Finance Dublin 2018 | Top M&A Legal Adviser - Experian MarketIQ 2018

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Legal Firm of the Year

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 ByrneWallace Legal Firm of the Year

Leading law firm ByrneWallace scoops top honours as Law Firm of the Year to the Public Sector for the second year running.

ByrneWallace is one of Ireland’s leading business law firms, providing a full range of legal services to a broad range of organisations, from private to public, indigenous to international, across all industry and business sectors.

“ByrneWallace has a strong culture of excellence and accountability, which we know resonates with our public sector clients. We invest substantial resources to ensure we provide the highest standard of service, insights and advice to meet, anticipate and exceed their evolving needs.

The firm has been consistently recognised and ranked, both nationally and internationally, as Ireland’s top legal adviser to the public sector.

“We also make a particular effort to ensure that we consistently deliver actual value and benefit to our clients, both through the type of services and advice we provide, and in the way we deliver them.”

“We have a very long history, spanning over 40 years, providing legal services support and specialist advice to the public sector,” explains Managing Partner Feargal Brennan.

“During this time we have gained extensive experience advising a considerable number of public sector bodies. These include multiple government departments, local government, authorities, councils, regulatory bodies, state and semi-state organisations, spanning all sectors including health, education, justice, leisure & tourism, culture, transport, financial, energy, and communications.

“With more than eighty lawyers advising this sector, we are proud to now have one of the largest multi-disciplinary public sector legal teams in Ireland.”

“The work of our public sector clients is extremely varied, and often highly complex in nature – unsurprisingly therefore the legal issues facing the sector can also be incredibly complex and require highly specialist legal advice.

“Our deep expertise means that we can offer tailored advice to meet the diverse needs of the sector, whether in respect of day-to-day operations, or strategic and complex matters.

“Our lawyers work collaboratively across multiple practice areas to provide a seamless and fully integrated service, advising across all areas of law – from employment and industrial relations to corporate; regulatory and compliance to litigation and investigations; data protection, FOI and IP to health, construction, and real estate, to name a few.”

ByrneWallace place huge value on the relationships they have built up with their public sector clients. Michelle Ní Longáin, Head of the firm’s Public Sector Group explains: “Given our extensive experience and long history advising this sector, we have developed a deep understanding of the environment in which public sector organisations operate, their key challenges and requirements.

“We also understand how those working within this sector operate under a high level of public scrutiny, within a highly regulated and pressurised environment, and the need for transparency is key.

The firm regularly reviews service delivery, actively seeking feedback from clients. They have streamlined services, investing in the latest technologies, to ensure ease of access and timely delivery of reports and specialist advice. ByrneWallace also provides tailored training programmes and is constantly enhancing these to ensure they are of the highest standard and aligned to clients’ changing needs.

“We also invest substantially in ensuring that we have the most talented people working with our public sector clients, some of whom previously worked within the sector, and we are continuously strengthening our range of services and expertise,” adds Feargal.

Over the last 12 months, ByrneWallace has enhanced its services, expanding all teams, and, in particular, strengthened its projects and infrastructure practice by appointing Fergal Ruane as partner and Head of this team.

“With the launch of Project Ireland 2040 earlier this year, we foresee major large-scale infrastructural development to continue within Ireland through to 2040 and beyond, and believe the firm is well positioned to support our public sector clients deliver upon these targets.

“ByrneWallace is proud and honoured to be recognised, for the second consecutive year, as top legal adviser to the public sector.

“The public sector is one of our most significant practice areas. We have tremendous respect for the people who work within this sector, and for the service they provide the Irish people. We look forward to many more years working with them, and supporting this important and valued sector of the Irish economy.”

Feargal Brennan and Michelle Ní Longáin

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Easier Journeys Start Here

Tolling | Parking | Breakdown Assistance | Puncture Cover | Car Wash

Call : 1890 67 67 68 Visit : www.easytrip.ie

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Breakdown Services

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 EasyTrip Excellence in Breakdown Services

Mobility solutions specialist easytrip offers electronic tolling tags, parking tags and a whole suite of services to make the customer’s journey run more smoothly and costeffectively.

Easytrip is a mobility solutions specialist and Ireland’s only electronic parking and tolling tag provider. “At easytrip we are best known for providing the small tag that sits on the windscreen of your vehicle, but in reality we do a whole lot more,” says Ciaran Doyle – Sales and Marketing Director at easytrip.

While easytrip tags are also used to let customers park and get their car washed without having to carry cash or take a ticket, easytrip also provides a full suite of convenient motoring services to consumers and businesses. “What we really do is provide convenience for all our customers, by building networks of connected services, saving them a little bit of time and money on each journey,” says Doyle.

Set up in 2005, easytrip was the first independent provider of electronic tolling services in Ireland, trading as ‘eTrip’. In 2008 it acquired ‘EazyPass’ and in 2009 it rebranded to become easytrip. Today easytrip employs 36 staff and has over 225,000 registered users who avail of their electronic tag services that include cash-free parking with easyParking, breakdown assist with easyAssist, Puncture Protect and tolling, and their newly launched easyWash service.

Over their many years in business, easytrip has garnered strong partnerships with some big industry names such as Arnotts, Brown Thomas, Tesco, Lidl, An Post and many others, including their most recent announcement of easyParking, a cashless parking service, with Ireland’s largest shopping centre, the Dundrum Town Centre.

Its success has seen a move to a new 6,000 sq. ft. office in Dublin 15, officially opened in August 2018 by Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with special responsibility for the Diaspora and International Development Ciaran Cannon TD. The new office expansion has allowed space for an additional 10 staff to be recruited in the future.

Doyle is understandably proud that easytrip are currently the preferred tag service supplier to all state bodies. “We have worked closely on building relationships and tailoring bespoke services that suit the needs of fleet transport managers within the public sector”, he says, “For example, we provide fleet reconciliations, individual transaction reports,

toll rebates, face to face meetings and much more.”

The public sector is hugely important to the easytrip team. “We service all industries from HGV to leasing car companies and everything imaginable in between!” enthuses Doyle. “Every sector is important to us, and because we know the Public Sector rely on easytrip to provide a working solution, we like to think that we are important to them too”. Easytrip have products and services that allow companies focus on their principal business needs whilst easytrip offers stress-free flexible transportation solutions.

Doyle is excited about the future, with some special packages designed for the public sector coming on board. “We are currently working on a series of bundled services for the public sector. These will be a collection of convenient connected motoring services specifically put together for the sector, aiming to provide more convenience to motorists and in turn easier journeys,” he says.

Doyle makes his proposition clear with a message for all readers of the Public Sector Magazine “if your toll tag doesn’t work in car parks or car washes or if you are paying more than j3.99 for breakdown assistance, then you need to talk to us,” he says, “Even better, give us a call on 1890 67 67 68 and mention the Public Sector Magazine and we’ll happily put j20 on a new account for you.” Well there is an offer definitely worth pursuing!

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PROUD WINNER OF

‘Excellence in Business Data Services’ Award 2018

EMPOWER YOUR DATA TO DELIVER YOUR SERVICES MORE EFFICIENTLY TARGET SERVICES CUT COSTS INCREASE SERVICE LEVELS

Find out how at www.geodirectory.ie or call: 01-705 7005

Powered by:

Backed by:

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Data Services Award

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 GeoDirectory

GeoDirectory empowers the public sector to deliver services more efficiently. With an accurate database of over 2.2 million Irish residential and business addresses, GeoDirectory helps public sector organisations to target services, cut costs and increase service levels.

Excellence in Business Data Services Award

GeoDirectory was jointly established by An Post and Ordinance Survey Ireland (OSi) to create and manage Ireland’s only complete database of commercial and residential buildings. The figures are recorded through a combination of the An Post network of 5,600 delivery staff working with OSi. Up to 600,000 changes and updates are made every year. “Our products are constantly developing and evolving to capture and provide information on all ongoing changes,” explains CEO, Dara Keogh.

reports, expert blogs and webinars on a wide variety of topics.

The GeoDirectory database and services are used by many different organisations across the public sector. Public service organisations use the GeoDirectory database for a wide number of solutions across a wide spectrum of services and activities from planning, service provision and revenue collection to tree cutting, emergency planning and bin location.

Almost 1 million Northern Ireland address points have been added to the GeoDirectory database to enable an all island data solution.

Citing some examples, Keogh explains that GeoDirectory is used by the Central Statistics Office to achieve more accurate census results. “The Property Registration Authority incorporated the GeoDirectory database into its website landdirect.ie to enhance their customers’ ability to find out information on properties.” Other examples include the ambulance service who used GeoDirectory to pinpoint an exact geographical location of every building in Ireland allowing firefighters and ambulance crews get to the scene of an incident quickly and efficiently. Waterford County Council has many uses for GeoDirectory from ensuring the electoral register is up-todate and maintaining accurate housing data, through to verifying property information.

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The relaunch of the Free GeoFindIT app will allow even easier access to over 2 million address points. On top of the latest property prices and up-to-date directions, new filtered locations have been added including car parks across a number of counties plus plans to include a live feed to the Dublin Bus timetable, Dublin Bikes and Electric Charging Points.

AddressFix.ie is an easy, secure and cost-effective ecommerce solution to clean up customer address lists. New ecommerce solutions to provide many other GeoDirectory products will soon be launched.

Keogh invites any organisation to contact GeoDirectory to see how they might help. “If you want to target services more efficiently, cut costs and increase service levels, then contact us today for a free trial. Contact 01 705 7005, info@geodirectory.ie or visit www. geodirectory.ie

“Most local authorities as well as many government departments and semistate organisations use our products and services. GeoDirectory is proud to be so highly regarded in the public sector and for providing the most comprehensive address database in Ireland.”

Mr Keogh says that GeoDirectory is continually developing and launching new projects and services.

GeoDirectory recently launched a new website providing an invaluable Knowledge Centre which includes free

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Changing Housing for the Better Public, Private, Partnership in Practice

Delivering more Homes for more people Cork | Dublin | Dundalk | Galway Cork Office 24 Marlboro Street Cork 021-427 3508

Dublin Office 33 Leeson Street Lower Dublin 2 01-676 1602

Dundalk Office 17 Church St Dundalk, Louth T 042 942 3400

Galway Office 4th Floor Heritage Hall Kirwan’s Lane Galway 091-393280

Email: info@tuathhousing.ie

www.tuathhousing.ie

OUTRIGHT WINNERS National Housing Partnership Award

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Túath Housing Housing Partnership Award National

Túath Housing is the fastest growing and most innovative housing association in Ireland with ambitious plans to develop some 2,000 new social homes to reach a target of 5,000 homes by end 2020.

July was an important month for Túath Housing as it reached a key milestone with the number of social homes provided exceeding 4,000. 837 of these 4,000 homes were acquired in 2017 and 2018 is shaping up to be just as busy.

Túath Housing is a not-for-profit, approved housing body (AHB).

Túath’s aim is to provide quality, affordable, long-term housing whilst building sustainable communities. Túath is primarily a service organisation, housing people in need and managing homes whilst responding to, engaging with and involving people to make social housing work. “Our core business is to provide social homes in a sustainable way,” explains Sean O’Connor, Chief Executive.

Túath has worked with thirty local authorities providing family housing in both urban and rural areas, homeless accommodation and supported housing for the elderly and people with disabilities. “In collaboration with local authorities, we more than doubled our output of homes in 2017 to deliver over eight hundred homes. This would not have been possible without the cooperation of local authorities, the Department of Housing, NAMA and the Housing Agency as well as private sector partners and our funders,” explains O’Connor.

“Túath are proud to have provided social homes in virtually every council area in the country. We believe that the provision of more social and affordable homes is essential to break the vicious cycle of rising house prices and spiralling rents. The team at Túath play an important role by providing homes that are made available at cheap rents for families who genuinely need affordable housing. Túath’s average weekly rent is currently j58.”

Túath invested j58m in property acquisitions and construction of new homes in 2017. As we approach the latter half of 2018, Túath is projected to spend j128m on securing new homes.

Commenting on the growth and success of the organisation O’Connor said: “The continuing growth of Túath Housing is reflected in our strong balance sheet and appetite for further housing development projects. This commitment to building and property acquisition has been further solidified by the appointment of a new Director of Construction & Property Services and additional team members, allowing the organisation to enhance and improve output and delivery.”

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OUTRIGHT WINNERS Best Independent Drinks Company

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Later, John was joined in the business by his two sons Pat and Kevin and in turn Pat and Kevin’s sons David and Kevyn came on board. As it enters its 70th year, the company now counts David’s children, Betha and Joshua, among its ranks and the company is uniquely a fourth-generation family enterprise.

Describing JJ Mahon’s Wholesale as a licensed trade distributor or LTD., David Mahon says the company is a specialist provider to the on trade and has forged a particularly strong relationship with the Curragh Camp and the Defence Forces.

“It is a relationship that was established way back in the late 1940’s and continues to this day,” he says. “In fact, some of our earliest accounts were the various Army Mess’ which serviced the personnel posted to the Curragh Camp.

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 JJ Mahon

Wholesale Drinks and Bar Trade Suppliers, JJ Mahon’s Wholesale is a unique, fourth generation family business which celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2019. A dynamic and innovative company, the strong relationships forged through successive generations has made the company a market leader in its field.

Established in 1949, JJ Mahon’s Wholesale has since grown to become one of the largest independent licence trade distributors in Ireland- if not the largest. Before establishing JJ Mahon’s Wholesale, the company’s founder, John Mahon previously spent over a decade working for D.E. Williams of Tullamore where he gained invaluable experience before deciding to strike out on his own.

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Service to the Licensed Trade Best Independent Drinks Company

small distilleries and breweries where their suite of products will sit up front and centre. In effect, both parties need each other to survive.”

With that in mind, JJ Mahons are working exclusively with the Connacht Whiskey Company based in Ballina, Co Mayo. CWC have a suite of innovative brands from gin to whiskey which provides an exciting opportunity into 2019, the company’s 70th anniversary.

David is confident of a strong year to mark the birthday celebrations.

“One of the projects we’ll be looking at in 2019 will be resurrecting some of our old brands like Mahon’s Orange and Curragh Lemonade.

Also tipping our hat to the whiskey bonding tradition which existed in the company’s infancy with the release of a new whiskey brand in association with CWC. All of this on the occasion of our 70th Birthday,” he says.

Receiving the award, David reflected on the company’s long history and looked forward to celebrating the 70th year milestone. In the early 1990’s there were almost forty LTD’s in the republic,” he said.

“As one of the few family run business’ in this sector still in existence we would like to take this opportunity to thank all our customers in both the public and private sector for their continued support and wish them all the best for 2019 and beyond.”

“Our relationship with the Army Canteen Board or DFCB has been fundamental to the company’s success. In today’s world a business relationship which can boast almost 70 years of partnership is a rarity and can only be classed as unique. JJ Mahons with the DFCB is most certainly that, and a bedrock of our business.”

There are distinct advantages to being an independent distributor and a long standing, family owned business which David says will continue to benefit the company into the future.

“Being an independent distributor provides a massive opportunity,” he says. “The fact that we are a family owned business gives us far greater flexibility and versatility when faced with our competitors.

Small independent manufacturers see independent distributors as a far more attractive route to market. Essentially the independent distributors can partner with

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DID YOU KNOW…

of the public trust the advice and patient care they receive from the pharmacist

92%

96fav%our of

are in favour of pharmacies providing services to improve patient adherence to medicines

are in pharmacies providing a minor ailment scheme

With 1.5 MILLION visits to pharmacies every week, community pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare profession.

98%

+ MINOR AILMENT SCHEME

YOUR COMMUNITY PHARMACIST

could provide a range of services, improving health, enhancing accessibility and promoting cost efficiency…

+ HEALTH CHECK SERVICE

+ NEW MEDICINES SERVICE

+ WIDE RANGE OF VACCINATIONS + MEDICINE USE REVIEWS

Pharmacists have the skills, knowledge and public support to play an enhanced role in primary healthcare, helping to deliver more efficient, more cost-effective health services.

The future of the healthcare system rests in the enhancement of pharmacists’roles and the expansion of services made available to the public. * Behaviour & Attitudes market research, April 2017

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Provision of Community Based Training Programmes

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Irish Pharmacy Union Provision of Community Based Training Programmes Award

This year the Community Based Training Programmes Award goes to the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) in recognition of its advocacy work on behalf of pharmacists and its efforts to protect and promote the role of the pharmacist at the centre of primary healthcare while demonstrating the contribution they make to our patients and communities.

The IPU is the representative and professional body for community pharmacists and assists its members in delivering the best possible service to their patients. Its principal focus is on protecting, promoting and strengthening the profession and advising and supporting members in their professional and business lives.

Over 2,300 pharmacists are registered as members of the IPU, representing 95% of community pharmacies in Ireland.

The IPU is the authoritative voice of community pharmacy and the driving force in the evolution of accessible, equitable and patient-focused primary healthcare, according to IPU Secretary General, Darragh O’Loughlin.

“We work with our public sector colleagues to promote the role of community pharmacy through awareness campaigns. We also provide input from community pharmacists to discussions on legislative and policy issues,” he says.

“All public sector organisations are important stakeholders, particularly those involved in health provision. As both consumers and stakeholders, we believe those working in the public sector benefit from the input of community pharmacists, which are the most accessible part of the healthcare community.”

The IPU supports pharmacists’ in their professional development through education and training courses and it also advocates for extended professional roles for community pharmacy. In addition, they provide support to members in dealing with PSI inspections, Fitness to Practise, HSE PCRS queries and any other issues that arise.

The IPU also make ongoing representations to the Department of Health (DoH), HPRA, HSE/PCRS, PSI and other bodies on behalf of members.

“We always welcome opportunities to work with our public sector partners,” says O’Loughlin. “As a membership organisation representing 95% of community pharmacists, we have an excellent

network of community based professionals with strong links in their locality, who are very cognisant of the needs of their customers.

50% of Irish people live within 1 kilometre of their local pharmacy, and we are the most accessible part of the healthcare profession.

We believe this provides an invaluable input to any discussions within the healthcare community.

The IPU is currently working with its members to encourage the public to ‘Think Pharmacy’ - an initiative which is being promoted through an extensive advertising and social media campaign as well as in pharmacies nationwide. They are also currently running an advertising campaign to promote uptake of the flu vaccine, which is available in pharmacies, and will be encouraging people to ‘Be Well’ this winter by taking measures to improve their self-care.

39

Engineering Construction Maintenence

• Specialists in Renewable Energy Solution and Energy Efficiency.

• Full Turn-key EPC - Engineering, Procurement and Construction.

• Energy efficiency partner to Local Government and Housing Associations.

• Operations and Maintenance to renewable asset portfolios throughout Ireland and the UK

Unit 1, Greenview Business Park, Edgar Rd, Carryduff, Belfast BT8 8NB Tel: +44 (0)28 9045 5136 Email: info@saliis.com www.saliis.com

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Energy & Environment

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 SALIIS Excellence in Provision of Communication Energy & Renewable Solutions to the Public Sector

Established in 2012, SALIIS is a market leading specialist which provides a range of renewable energy solutions to homes and businesses throughout the UK and Ireland.

The company provides a full scope of services from design and installation through to the operation and maintenance of renewable energy systems. In addition, SALIIS holds a wide range of qualifications and numerous certifications including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001, SSIP, CHAS, MCS, NICEIC, RECI, Gas Safe, OFTEC, Achilles and Constructionline.

“We are a leading provider of renewable and energy efficiency services to the public sector including Solar PV installation and operation, EV charger installation and operation, LED lighting, energy controls and battery storage solutions,” explains Michael Burke, Managing Director. The company has completed major renewable projects for multiple public sector clients across the UK and Ireland. Key projects have included the installation and operation of over 1,000 Solar PV systems for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, the engineering and construction of a 5 mega-watt PV system on a land-fill site for Swindon Borough Council, battery storage installation for Flintshire Council in Wales and Solar PV rooftop installations on County buildings for Mayo County Council.

According to Michael the Public Sector is a very important market for SALIIS and accounts for almost 90% of their turnover. “Our success in delivering services into this sector is a reflection of our approach to meeting the demands of the industry. This includes having robust procedures in place relating to health and safety, as well as a company-wide commitment to delivering the highest levels of quality across all of our services.”

SALIIS has a strong pipeline of work in all target markets, having recently secured a number of Solar PV roof-top projects to schools

and public buildings for Northumberland County Council, Scottish Water and West Sussex Council. They are also making in-roads in the developing Solar PV market in the Republic of Ireland. Recent wins include contracts with Irish Water to carry out works at the Nenagh Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in Co Tipperary and the Newcastle West WWTP in Co Limerick.

SALIIS is delighted to have picked up two accolades with the Public Sector Magazine, scooping the ‘Energy and Environment Award Outright Winner 2018’ prize as well as the ‘Excellence in Provider of Communication Energy and Renewable Solutions to Public Sector’ award. On receiving the awards, Managing Director Michael Burke said: “These awards demonstrate the commitment of SALIIS to delivering the highest Standards of service to the Public Sector and consolidates our position as one of the leading providers of energy and renewable solutions to the market.”

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Ireland‘s Leading Provider of Professional Translation and Interpreting Service Telephone 1890 707 707 Email: translations@wordperfect.ie

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Best Translation Services

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Word Perfect Translations Best Translation and Interpretation Services

The upturn in the Irish economy and the rise of the Internet has fostered a world-wide market for translation services and has facilitated language localization.

The world is shrinking. Barriers such as language, geographical distances and borders are now becoming less of a challenge when it comes to communication and interaction. To enable business and relationship building interactions to occur, businesses need to know the advantages of using good translation services and how to use them to their advantage.

In a business context there is a huge demand for translation services and the appropriately named Word Perfect Translation Services has experienced unprecedented growth and recognition since its inception in 2001.

Word Perfect Translation Services Ltd provides linguistic assistance (translating and interpreting) to a vast client base, including courts services, hospitals, An Garda Síochána, the Refugee Legal Service, FÁS, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, the Office of the Refugee Appeals Commissioner, the Probation Services, the Department of Justice, Northern Ireland Regional Supplies Service, Pensions Ombudsman, the Citizens, Information Board, Quinn Direct Insurance and ESB International to name but a few. Nearly all public sector bodies must tender for business and Word Perfect Translations Services Ltd are delighted to have successfully won a vast number of these tenders. “It’s a 24 hour, 365 day a year company, meaning that we can provide a translator or interpreter at any time day or night all year round,” says Jimmy Gashi, COO.

have this quality system in place. This testifies to our commitment not only to maintain the high standards of our services but to continuously strive to improve them.”

With a number of prestigious awards to their name (including the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist; Emerging Ethnic Entrepreneur of the Year; Young Business Woman of the Year) Gashi is particularly proud of winning the Public Sector Magazine Award for the third year running, ”We are proud of our excellent relationship and reputation with the Irish public sector and we will continue to expand our services and exceed expectations for our valued client base.”

Word Perfect Translation Services is a certified translation provider in accordance with the standards set out in the European Quality standard EN15038:2006. The company was one of the first service providers to achieve EN15038:2006 certification which is the industry standard for translation. It is also an ISO9001-2008 certified company and corporate member of the ITIA (Irish Translators and Interpreters Association).

It was amongst the first language service providers in Ireland to implement fully the ISO9001-2008 quality assurance system.

According to Gashi, “within the industry, it is estimated that fewer than 5% of firms

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CASTLEBAR REGIONAL TRAINING CENTRE COMHAIRLE CONTAE MHAIGH EO The Mall, Castlebar, Co. Mayo

Castlebar Regional Training Centre provides training for Local Authorities, Private Group Water Schemes, Utilities and Private Contractors. We are continuously developing and delivering courses / seminars that meet the changing needs in the current environment for CASTLEBAR REGIONAL TRAINING CENTRE both the public and private sectors.

COMHAIRLE CONTAE MHAIGH EO The Mall, Castlebar, Co. Mayo

Life Long Learning is provided in three main areas: Castlebar Regional Training Centre provides training for Local Authorities, Private Group

raining and Development”

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sectors. roads staff roads staff ices and non-national roads staff Life Long Learning is p inand four main areas: •LifeAll Health and Safety Courses and seminars •rovided All in Health Safety Courses Professional/Leadership courses and seminars non-national Long Learning is provided four mainand areas: rvices non-national roads staff • Practical High level Professional/Leadership courses and seminars • High level Professional/Leadership courses and seminars • outdoor courses for water services and non-national competency development • roads Soft staff skills and competency development • aSoft skills and competency development To make reservation or if you require further information, • All Health and Safety Courses seminars

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• Highrequire level Professional/Leadership courses and seminars Lawless, Castlebar Regional Training Centre e ua require reservation orMaura if you Manager, Castlebar Regional Training ToLawless, make aMaura reservation if youaManager, require Toor make reservation or if you require • Soft skills and competency development contact contact information, please contact further information, please further information, please contact atand (094) 904 76 72 Training Development” require further information, pleaseTcontact rvation or or if you require further information, please contact Lawless, Manager, make Maura a reservation if you require Maura Lawless, Manager, Maura Lawless, Manager, To Maura at mlawless@mayococo.ie Lawless, Manager, Castlebar Regional Training Centre , Castlebar Regional Training Centre further information, pleaseTraining contact Castlebar Regional Centre Castlebar Regional Training Centre Centre Castlebar Regional Training Centre training Along with providing for Local Authority and Private at (094) 904 7672, Maura Manager, AlongLawless, with providing training for Local Authority and Private 094) 904 7672, www.lasntg.ie

(094) 906 4080 at (094) 904 7672, Castlebar Regional Training Centre at (094) 904 7672, mlawless@mayococo.oe Water Scheme Personnel, Castlebar Regional mlawless@mayococo.ie CASTLEBAR REGIONAL TRAINING CENTRE (094) Group 904 7672, Group Water Scheme Personnel, Castlebar Regional ess@mayococo.oe Castlebar Regional Training Centre

www.wsntg.ie mlawless@mayococo.oe at (094) 904 7672, mlawless@mayococo.oe “Committed to providing providing quality Training and and Development” Training “Committed Centre are continuously developing to quality .wsntg.ie Training Centre are continuously developing and mlawless@mayococo.oe www.wsntg.ie mlawless@mayococo.oe www.wsntg.ie delivering courses/seminars that meets the changing needs Training and Development” delivering courses/seminars that meets the changing needs www.wsntg.ie www.wsntg.ie

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OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Training Services

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Castlebar Regional Training Centre Training Services Award

The investment in training that a company makes shows employees that they are valued.

Productivity usually increases when a company implements training courses. Ongoing training and upskilling of the workforce also encourages creativity and staff are more likely to feel valued if they are invested in and therefore, less likely to change employers.

Castlebar Regional Training Centre (CRTC) provides workplace training on a shared services basis for six local authorities and other public & private sector organisations in the West and Midlands. Mayo County Council are the lead authority. Training provided is to the highest standard. The facility has accreditation from SOLAS, QQI, City & Guilds and ECITB. They have grown the centre consistently over the past few years and they now deliver over 5000 training days per annum.

According to Manager Maura Lawless, approximately 90% of the centre’s training is provided for the public sector.

“We deal with six local authorities and other public sector organisations e.g.

Irish Water, Group Water Schemes, other state agencies in the West and Midlands.”

Public sector business is hugely important to the centre and the team are constantly working to improve facilities even further and offer a wide range of relevant courses. ‘’We have state of the art facilities for a wide range of practical and theoretical courses’’ Ms Lawless explains. “The facilities are available for both the public and private sectors in the west and will ensure that courses currently only available in Dublin will be available locally.”

Lawless says that workplace training is not just important in a company, it is vital, particularly in the area of health and safety. The employee who receives the necessary training is more able to perform in their job. The training will give the employee a greater understanding of their responsibilities within their role, and in turn build their confidence. This confidence will enhance their overall performance which can only benefit the company. Employees who are competent and on top of their work help their employer

immeasurably, with the added bonus of job satisfaction for the employee.

For their continued work in the provision of quality training to the public sector, Castlebar Regional Training Centre are recognised for Excellence in Training Services in the Public Sector Magazine Excellence in Business Awards.

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Why consider shopping anywhere else?

Every week at your local SuperValu you get...

Mix & Match

3 FOR

€10 Meats

SUPPORTING

14, 000 STAFF

SUPERVALU

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in GAA Support

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COMMUNITY FOCUS

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 SuperValu Excellence in GAA Support

SuperValu is Ireland’s leading food retailer, with 217 stores nationwide, serving over 2.7 million customers every week. In 2017, SuperValu recorded retail sales of €2.7 billion and this year they plan to open three new stores and revamp 50 existing stores as part of a €40 million investment.

Together with retail partners, SuperValu supports local employment by employing approximately 14,500 colleagues, making it one of the state’s largest private sector employers. SuperValu is the number one supporter of Irish suppliers and 75% of everything on SuperValu retailers’ shelves is sourced in Ireland, with products sourced from over 1,800 suppliers. This support for local helps to sustain a further 30,000 jobs in the Irish economy.

SuperValu retailers are an integral part of the communities where their stores are located. This support for local is evident in SuperValu’s longstanding sponsorship of the Tidy Towns competition, which celebrated its 60th anniversary this year, with a record number of entrants.

SuperValu has sponsored the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship since 2009 with a brand vision of ‘being a force for good and building better communities’ at the heart of their GAA initiative. Through GAA sponsorship, SuperValu want to engage with customers at a local level to create a significant shift in the health of towns and villages around Ireland.

The GAA provides a platform to do this, so the company decided to look to the future and positively impact the lives of the next generation.

An example of what SuperValu are doing locally to drive this community and health agenda is the SuperValu Behind the Ball campaign. Last year, they donated 55,000 footballs to GAA clubs across the country. This reinforced the company’s unwavering support and commitment to local communities while inspiring kids to get active.

The benefit was seen in 580 GAA clubs, with SuperValu-branded footballs in kids’ hands. While getting a football into kid’s hands will encourage them to get out and get active, it is the parent that will enable this to happen.

Therefore, SuperValu also rolled out several GAA volunteer camps throughout the summer, designed to encourage parents to volunteer at their local club and give them the skills to teach and develop kids across all aspects of the game.

evenings in its stores. The company has since worked with businesses to launch Ireland’s first autism-friendly town in Clonakilty, County Cork and they anticipate rolling out this initiative to other towns.

In the area of sustainability, SuperValu has also taken a leadership role.

Conscious of the important role that it has to play in protecting the environment, this year SuperValu became the first grocery retailer in Ireland to introduce compostable bags in the fruit and veg section and compostable cups to the Frank and Honest gourmet coffee range.

Most recently, they announced a j3m scheme to install solar panels at selected stores.

SuperValu has also committed to making 100% of own-brand products or fresh produce packaging recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025.

In October, SuperValu launched its new ‘Cooking All Stars’ – a programme giving children and their parents the confidence to cook together. The initiative was developed from SuperValu’s real desire help the next generation to eat healthier and develop an understanding of what constitutes good food. The programme was carefully designed by a panel of nutritionists, chefs and teachers to ensure that both the teachers and children enjoy the programme as well as learn about practical life skills and develop a healthy eating ethos. SuperValu provides each participating school with a cooking kit which includes a large range of cooking utensils and equipment along with a practical recipe book. Each school then receives training on how to implement the programme in the classroom.

Speaking about the initiative, Dr. Ciara Kelly said, “This initiative is so important for teaching children how to confidently cook at home. Cooking is a valuable life skill and starting early will ultimately develop a healthier and more rounded relationship with food. The SuperValu Cooking AllStars will give kids the confidence to safely prepare fruit and vegetables, cook healthy dishes and develop a love of food prepared from scratch.”

While GAA sponsorship is at national level, local retailers make a real difference to this sponsorship. These individual retailers contribute over j1 million to GAA clubs up and down the country through local jersey sponsorship, helping with funding on club development.

Autism Friendly There are over 50,000 families in Ireland living with autism and those affected can face barriers to inclusion. As a community retailer, SuperValu felt that they could make a difference and break down those barriers.

To better serve all sections of the community, SuperValu became the first grocery retailer in Ireland to introduce dedicated ‘autism-friendly’

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Keeping You

Active

visit www.tipperarywater.ie

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Childline Support

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Tipperary Water Excellence in Childline Support

From humble beginnings, Tipperary pure Irish Water has grown to become a major national and international brand whose name is synonymous with quality.

Tipperary Pure Irish Water has been refreshing customers for over a quarter of a century. Their water comes from a valley of The River Suir, in the heart of Tipperary, its source being found at a depth of one hundred and fifty metres, beneath pure bedded Limestone bedrock deposited over 300million years ago at the foot of the Slievenamon Mountain.

Tipperary Water is made up of minerals to help promote a healthy body. Calcium is essential for healthy bones, muscles and nerves.

Magnesium is important for your immune system and sodium is vital for regulating blood pressure. Water is essential for health and wellbeing. 60-70% of the body is water, yet through our busy everyday lives we are not only constantly dehydrating ourselves, but also failing to quench our body’s thirst. When the brain is fully hydrated, the exchange of nutrients and toxins is highly efficient; the result being better concentration and greater mental alertness.

In any work environment it is essential to maintain hydration and, in this regard, Tipperary Water are delighted to provide many public service offices with the ‘water of life’.

“We provide bottled water coolers throughout the public sector.

Our bottled coolers hold either a 19 or 11 litre drum of water helping refresh members and staff in each office. We also provide smaller bottles of water ranging from 300ml glass to 500ml plastic in both still and sparkling.

the same time support worthy causes is by sponsoring and working with a large number of events and organisations in Ireland. Tipperary Water are the official water supplier for Hell & Back, Ireland’s Toughest Mental & Physical Endurance Challenge, and the country’s largest and most popular obstacle course run. Tipperary Water are there to quench the thirst of over 15,000 children and adults, on the off-road obstacle course challenge. They are also proud sponsors of the Tipperary Club hurling and football championships, taking pride in our shared Irish heritage.

For this and for their particular sponsorship of Childline, Tipperary Water have been recognised for their efforts with the Public Sector Magazine Excellence in Business Award. Kelly explains that Tipperary Kidz water partnered with ISPCC (The Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children), providing a crucial platform for ISPCC, putting the ISPCC Childline phone number into the hands of kids by incorporating it on Tipperary Kidz water bottles. “We are also donating money from every pack purchased to the charity to support the free phone number, text number, online chat system, the school outreach programme and their campaigning for children’s rights, all run by professionally trained ISPCC staff and volunteers.”

“The public sector is hugely important to us. We value the service provided by the sector and love being a small part of this.

For Customer Service Manager Lana Kelly, it is not enough to simply produce a good product, customer service she says is key. “We value all our customers and continuously strive to improve how we do things to make Tipperary Water the first port of call for any customer looking to get water supplied in their company. We are constantly looking at new ideas on how we can develop the brand across Ireland.”

Kelly says that one important way to bring the brand to the people and at

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USES OF NATURAL HERBAL CREAMS AND WASHES The Botanica Products are all Antiseptic, Anti-Fungal, Anti- Bacterial, Anti-Inflammatory, Antihistamine and Insect Repellent.

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Acne Acne Rosacea After Shaving Balm After Sun Athletes Foot Bathing Blackheads Body Lotion Burns Cleanse, Tone & Exfoliates Cold Sore

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Cracked Hands Cracked Lips Cuts & Grazes Deodorant Dermatitis Dyshidrotic Eczema Fugal Nail Infections Hives Insect Bites Insect Repellant Impetigo Leg Ulcers

• • • • • • • • • • •

Lichen Planus (mouth) Make-up Remover Mouth Ulcers Nappy Rash Nettle Sting Pressure Sores (Bed Sores) Psoriasis Rashes Rosacea Scars Sunburn/before/during and After Sun

Wash the affected area with the Botanica Cleansing Wash and then apply the Botanica Natural Herbal Cream. (Do not Rinse the Wash off) Before

After

Natural Herbal Cream Botanica’s Natural Herbal Cream is a unique combination of herbal ingredients carefully selected and blended to repair blemishes and skin complaints. The antiseptic properties of Tea Tree Oil along with soothing Aloe Vera, plus the additional beneficial value of Comfrey and Lavender, provides an all purpose natural herbal cream to help support and maintain healthy skin.

Directions: For best results cleanse area first using Botanica’s antiseptic cleansing wash. Apply Botanica Herbal Cream morning and night.

Botanica International Ltd Units 12-13 Warrenpoint Enterprise Centre, Newry Road, Warrenpoint, BT34 3LA Tel: 0044 (0) 28 4173 9151 E-mail: enquiries@botanica.ie Botanica International Ltd

www.botanica.ie

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Business in Science for Life

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Botanica International Business in Science for Life Award

Award winning natural herbal product ranges, for both animal and human use.

“I believe the natural world has a solution for all conditions,” says Sean Cooney Managing Director of Botanica International. His company, based in Warrenpoint Northern Ireland, utilises only natural ingredients in the manufacture of their range of products.

Botanica International Limited was established in 2005 to cater for the growing awareness of natural products and to utilize the wonders of nature’s healing energy. Botanica have a natural herbal range developed to treat common skin conditions. The herbal range contains a combination of natural ingredients, all of which have proven beneficial properties. Botanica’s herbal system works to promote healthy cell growth and complete recovery without scarring.

Traditionally creams are used to form a barrier on a cut, but in fact a heavy thick cream can slow down the healing process on two levels.

It can hold dirt around the affected area and it can prevent infection from getting out. Botanica’s wash cleanses the area and helps to remove any dirt or scabbing which may have formed. This part of the process is vital as it keeps the affected area open and draining, to allow any infection that may be present to drain. The wash is followed

by Botanica’s Herbal Cream which is readily absorbed into the skin. It activates the healthy cells and the powerful combination of the herbal and soothing properties of the natural oils get to work on a swift, complete recovery. Daily washings and cream application will reduce the affected area while continuing to liberate any infection.

All of the Botanica Products have been tested by the world renowned LCH Laboratory in Paris to prove they are all free from chemicals, toxins, parabens and lanolin.

and a 2018 Global Health and Pharma award for Best Organic Skin Care Product Manufacturer – UK. Botanic International products are gaining a cult-like following among horse and dog trainers and breeders as well as animal owners. Some of the most popular products are the Botanica Cleansing Wash, The Natural Herbal Skin Cream, the Fly Spray and the Anti-Itch Cream. The cleansing wash is a unique combination of natural herbal ingredients, blended to make a soothing, antiseptic wash for both human and animal use. This should be followed by the Herbal Skin Cream, a versatile cream, beneficial on a wide range of skin conditions such as cuts and grazes. Wounds recover very quickly when using this cream and it also helps keep skin texture smooth and supple. In addition, the cream contains a natural insect repellent.

Botanica are currently working on their upcoming show calendar to promote and sell their products in Ireland, and also their talk and lecture series, to increase awareness of the Botanica range.

Although Botanica sell their products worldwide and products can be purchased directly from their website, Botanica International has also recently taken on a new distributor in Ireland to improve the availability of the product in more physical locations and to ensure it is available nationwide.

The team at Botanica are enthusiastic about the healing properties of their product range. “When it comes to all skin conditions, natural products are the way to go, therefore Botanica is the answer.

Botanica gets results where all others have failed!”

Botanica International creates natural herbal products for both human and animal use. In fact, Botanica International get regular calls from customers in the public sector and in the private sector seeking advice. This can be advice for themselves or their animals, for everything from teenage acne to mud rash on horses. Botanica customers are typically seeing a natural solution, one that does not involve harsh chemicals. For them, Botanica, with its toxin-free natural products is the answer.

There is a large and growing interest in natural products, and Botanica is called upon regularly to speak at various events about the healing properties of their products. The Botanica team also keep up to date on industry developments by attending various lectures in local universities.

Botanica are no stranger to awards, having collected many accolades and prizes for their company and products over the years, including a 2018 Pet Product & Services award for UK & Ireland & Best Animal Skincare Product: Botanica Fly Spray,

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OUTRIGHT WINNERS Security Print Solutions

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 DLRS Group

Ireland’s leading security printer, DLRS is the security division of the large-scale panregional player Smurfit Kappa and ensures customers stay ahead of emerging threats in an ever-changing landscape.

Excellence in Security Print & Software Solutions

The DLRS team accept their Excellence in Business Award

Established in 1976, DLRS Limited is the market leader in security printed products, with over 40 years’ experience in the design and manufacture of secure products. DLRS hails from a strong pedigree – it is the security division of the Smurfit Kappa Group and is Ireland’s leading security printer.

The Smurfit Kappa Group is one of the leading providers of paper-based packaging solutions in the world. Operating in 22 countries in Europe, Smurfit Kappa Group is the European leader in containerboard, solid board, corrugated and solid board packaging and has a key position in several other paper packaging market segments. The Group also operates in 13 countries in Latin America where it is the only large-scale pan-regional player. A worldleader in paper based packaging solutions; Smurfit Kappa operates approximately 370 plants in 34 countries on 3 continents with over 45,000 employees.

The services of DLRS incorporate consultancy, secure product design, product development, secure printing, passport production, personalisation including biometric cards (contact chip, contactless chip and magnetic stripe), numbering, bespoke finishing, full reconciliation, secure storage, secure distribution and secure destruction.

The company’s reputation for quality and service is matched only by its reputation for unrivalled integrity, developed through years of working closely with government bodies. The company works hard to ensure customers stay ahead of emerging threats in an everchanging landscape.

“Since our inception, DLRS Limited has continuously developed our expertise and offering to meet the strategic needs of our customers and to offer the most innovative solutions available on the market,”

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explains Tom O’Mahony, Managing Director of DLRS, “Indeed, one of the key elements of our continued success has been our ability to adapt to our customers’ changing requirements together with our high level of customer service.”

DLRS’s philosophy has always been to develop a total solution, which incorporates the needs of customers, suppliers and citizens.

Innovation, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, the Department of Justice & Equality, and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. In addition the company also counts the Company Registrars Office and The Revenue Commissioners amongst its client base.

DLRS Limited has an extensive portfolio of products and software solutions, which includes the Irish ePassport and passport card, the public service card, fiscal stamps for tobacco, postal money orders, cheques, motor tax discs, work permits, insurance certificates and gift vouchers.

Tom O’Mahony points to the company’s experience in the area, “DLRS Limited has been working with the public sector in Ireland for over four decades and has worked hand-inhand with government agencies in their transition from largely paper-based systems to technology and smart cardbased systems.” He goes on to outline the future direction for the company, “The Irish public sector is modernising and developing and DLRS Limited’s focus continues to be the development of our offering and investment in the latest technology to ensure it can deliver the solutions and service levels required for this sector.”

Naturally, standards are high at DLRS. “The nature of our business requires us to maintain the highest level of quality procedures and IT protocols together with stringent data protection, cyber security and disaster recovery systems,” says Tom O’Mahony.

DLRS Limited has delivered some the most recent cutting-edge solutions to the Irish Public Sector. “We are currently working on key projects for several government departments, to enhance their offering and services to the citizens of Ireland ” says Tom O’Mahony.

Tom O’Mahony joined DLRS in 1990 and, after several roles including Chief Accountant and Financial Controller, was appointed Managing Director in 2003. He has overseen substantial business growth and change over this time.

Asked why a customer should choose DLRS for their secure printing solutions, Tom O’Mahony had this to say, “DLRS Limited is a proven and extremely effective provider of specialist security products and software solutions. Our team has many years’ experience delivering high profile government projects on time and within budget.” He invites anyone seeking more information to please contact SalesDLRSGroup@smurfitkappa.ie.

DLRS Limited’s core specialisation is the provision of security print solutions to the Commercial, Financial and Public sectors.

Tom O’Mahony oversees the management of an impressive list of public sector clients and government departments, including the Department of Business, Enterprise &

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NEWS

ALARMING HIKE IN PENSION BILL LOOMS A significant hike in the number of civil servants due to retire over the next ten years is expected to add over j500 to the public sector pensions bill.

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform recently released a report which forecasts that between 1,700 and 2,500 civil servants will retire each year between 2019 and 2028 which will drive the outlay on pensions and gratuities up by j112m next year to reach j575m in 2028.

There are currently just short of 24,000 civil servants receiving a pension at a cost of j535m to the state last year and j570m the year before.

According to the report this figure will increase as a result of a number of people reaching retirement age and their seniority.

Many of those employees are on older pension schemes which will cost more. “The initial increase in projected retirement stems from the ageing of the civil service workforce with almost 50% of those in the pre-1995 retirements scheme expected to retire over the coming seven years,� the report stated.

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CALL TO ADAPT DEVELOPMENT PLANS The president of the Irish Planning Institute, Joe Corr says that if councillors want to ensure more homes are built then they should adapt their development plans.

Corr said that development plans contain guidelines, but that ultimately it is councillors who make the decisions. He was responding to recent CSO figures which revealed that only 644 apartments were built in the third quarter of this year, a figure down on the same time last year.

“It is a shame that only 644 have been built. Apartment living is the most sustainable form of living and is the best use of sites.”

Apartments can be part of the solution to the housing crisis, but are not a panacea, he said. “It’s about consolidation and density.”

Corr pointed out that each local authority has its own development plan “as there is evidence that not one size fits all.”

Planning experts on the council can offer guidelines, they can advise what works best on a site, he said, but ultimately it is the local councillors who have the final say. The National Development Plan calls for consolidation, he added. Urban regeneration is needed.

However, he said that what would work for the city and what would work in the outer suburbs are different things as high density would not work in an area without public transport.

Builders will continue to build what sells, said Mr Corr. Apartment buildings can be more expensive, but he said that buildings under six stories can be cost-effective.

Planning guidelines need to be revised, he said, as they have not been examined since 2007.

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PUBLIC PAY BILL SOARS Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has been warned by the Oireachtas budget office that the annual public sector pay bills is threatening to soar by j1.1bn.

The warning comes as nurses push for pay hikes and teachers demand the scrapping of longer salary scale for new teachers coming into the system.

The Parliamentary Budget Office ({PBO) highlighted the rising costs of the j16bn public sector pay bill in a recent briefing paper which said pay policy is reaching a ‘critical juncture’ with demand from unions for pay equalisation for newer public servants.

“Combining the costs of the Public Sector Stability Agreement and the New Entrant Pay Equalisation, there is already potential for an increase of j1.1bn in public sector pay expenditure between now and 2021, ignoring the impact of increments and the growing number of public servants,” it said.

This is before the cost of paying increments to public servants and recruiting extra staff.

NEWS

THE BREXIT BOUNCE Dublin is the most popular relocation choice for financial services firms seeking to remain in the EU following Brexit. The capital continues to be the favoured relocation spot with 21 financial firms having already committed to moving their operations here after the UK referendum.

According to EY Ireland’s Brexit tracker, Dublin is leading all other European cities in the relocating sweepstakes with Frankfurt in Germany in second place with 15 companies.

Neill Gibbons of EY Ireland said the results are unsurprising. “Dublin was always expected to be the most popular location for financial services looking to relocate as a result of the Brexit vote given its history and links to London.

“Nevertheless it is very encouraging the lead remains in spite of the growing cost pressure in the city and in the face of increased competition.

METRO DELAYS Dublin’s Metro-Link plans have been further delayed into the New Year. They were expected to be ready for November but have now been pushed back, with National Transport Authority saying the process is taking longer than expected.

The 26km Metro Line will travel between Swords and Sandyford.

Dublin North West TD, Noel Rock said: “It isn’t good enough that the NTA, before the summer, said there would be a consultation published in September, that then became November, that has now become the new year. What we need is a clear guideline with clear goals and outcomes.”

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EMPLOYMENT UP 3.4% IN Q2 The total number of people in the labour force is now 2,399,300. The number of people in employment in Ireland totalled 2,255,000 in the second quarter of the year, which is up 3.4% from the same quarter last year.

The figures are published by the Central Statistics Office in their Labour Force Survey.

The Department of Finance said it was the highest level of employment ever within the State.

The survey found that unemployment was down 10.1% to 144,300 in the year to Q2, 2018.

When seasonally adjusted, the unemployment rate fell from 5.9% to 5.8% over the quarter, while the seasonally adjusted number of persons unemployed was 139,300.

Long term unemployment, which refers to people unemployed for one year or more, accounted for 33.9% of total unemployment in Q2 2018.

The total number of people in the labour force is now 2,399,300, up 2.5% or 57,900 from Q2 2017. The number of people not in the labour force is 1,448,900 which is up 0.3% or 4,900 from a year earlier.

HIGH COST OF TAX Irish workers are paying more tax now than a decade ago.

New research has revealed those on middle incomes are effectively working three months or more just to cover their tax bill. Those on yearly salaries of j35,000 are paying almost j1,000 more in tax now than 10 years ago.

Today anyone earning j120,000 takes home j6,700 less per year compared to 2008. For employees on j55,000 it will take three months before their earnings are their own.

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NEWS

80% OF COMPANIES PLAN PAY INCREASE Ibec has published its annual HR Update 2018 including the results of a comprehensive new pay and resourcing survey.

The Ibec HR Update 2018 survey found that 80% of companies plan to increase basic pay in 2019, with a projected median pay increase of 2.5%, similar to the findings of last year’s survey. Three out of four said that their total pay bill would increase next year.

ENERGY SOURCES GO GREEN More than a quarter of Ireland’s electricity consumption came from renewable sources, new figures reveal. The figures show that we were slightly below the EU average in 2016.

The survey also found that just under half of all companies, at 47%, planned to hire more workers next year, with 48% set to maintain current employment levels. This is a modest improvement on last year’s survey (43% planned to hire more in 2018).

The report from Eurostat shows that 27.2 per cent of electricity used in Ireland was produced by renewable sources that year compared to the European average of 30%.

The report follows the recent announcement of j8m in Government funding for 45 ‘innovative energy projects’ in Ireland.

As part of Ibec’s new Smarter World, Smarter Work campaign, companies were also surveyed on their attitudes to the future of work. The top investment areas identified were leadership and people management (75%), information technology (55%) and communications skills (42%).

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OPEN SEVEN D AYS A W E E K AVOID THE QUEUES, BOOK ONLINE WWW.BOOKOFKELLS.IE

Ireland’s Greatest Cultural Treasure Your ticket price goes to helping us support the conservation of our Library and Trinity College Dublin’s academic mission of teaching and research.

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Best Educational Tour

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Book of Kells Best Educational Tour

The Book of Kells is Ireland’s greatest cultural treasure and the world’s most famous medieval manuscript. The educational importance of this illuminated manuscript cannot be underestimated, as it offers a unique glance into the past life of early Christianity in Western Europe.

The Book of Kells was written in Latin and contains the four gospels of the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) together with various introductory texts and tables. It was created by early Christian monks around 800AD. The Book is a masterwork of western calligraphy, employing decoration that is not only extraordinarily rich and colourful, but also in places, deeply enigmatic. The Book of Kells is widely regarded as Ireland’s finest national treasure. Its 680 pages contain the most illuminating of designs, vivid colours and extravagant illustrations, a symbol of light in the age of darkness.

It has been housed in Trinity College Dublin since the 17th century.

A college also deeply steeped in history, Trinity was originally created by royal charter in 1592. The idea of a university college for Ireland emerged at a time when the English state was strengthening its control over Ireland at a time when Dublin was beginning to function as a capital city. Today, it is home to 17,000 undergraduate and postgraduate

students across all the major disciplines in the arts and humanities, and in business, law, engineering, science and health sciences.

Trinity’s tradition of independent intellectual inquiry has produced some of the world’s finest, most original minds including the writers Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett (Nobel laureate), the scientists William Rowan Hamilton and Ernest Walton (Nobel laureate), the political thinker Edmund Burke, and the former President of Ireland and UNHCR Mary Robinson. This tradition finds expression today in a campus culture of scholarship, innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship and dedication to societal reform.

Trinity sits at the heart of Dublin opposite the former Irish House of Parliament. Trinity’s new Head of Visitor Attractions, Jillian Wilson says “The iconic college is a huge draw for people offering plenty to the culturally curious visitor such as Science Gallery Dublin, the

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Zoological Museum, and student-led walking tours in summer on the beautiful 42-acre campus.”

The Book of Kells Exhibition and dramatic Old Library however continue to be the biggest draw. Visitors to the Book of Kells and Old Library Exhibition reached 1 million for the first time ever in November 2018. An increase of 50.9% over the last 4 years. Featuring again in Fáilte Ireland’s list of top 10 Irish attractions, visitors come from all over the world with increasing numbers from France, Germany, Ireland, China and the US in particular.

Visitor Services Manager Anne-Marie Diffley has been working in the Old Library for 25 years. She has observed a huge increase in visitors in the past decade. A visit to the Book of Kells Exhibition is, she says is “a culture education not only for those visitors from Ireland, but also an insight into times gone by for visitors from all over the world.”

For all the attractions of the book itself, there are many other educational

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opportunities available to visitors at this landmark site. Ranging in date from the fifth century to the sixteenth and in origin from across Western Europe, Trinity’s six hundred medieval manuscripts contain languages from Latin and Greek to Old Irish, Old English, Welsh, German, Dutch, Spanish, Italian, Provencal and Vaudois, embodying in microcosm the entire gamut of medieval thought. Some of these early printed books and manuscripts feature in exhibitions in the Long Room over the year. Daily talks in the Long Room on preservation activities in the Old Library called “Keeping the Books” also take place every weekday at 3pm and will run until 30 April 2019. Talks last 15 to 20 minutes and are free for ticket holders to the Book of Kells Exhibition as well as Trinity students and staff.

The Book of Kells and Old Library have won many accolades and awards over the years, easily scooping the Best Educational Tour Award in this year’s Public Sector Magazine Excellence in Business Awards.

OUTRIGHT WINNERS County Council of the Year

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OPPORTUNITY IN WICKLOW

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Wicklow County Council emphasise everything Wicklow has to offer in terms of starting and growing a business, as well as living, working and visiting the county.

“Thanks to magnificent scenery, vibrant towns, excellent road infrastructure and transport links, top of the range educational and recreational facilities, easy access to third level education and thriving industry, County Wicklow is probably the best county to live, work, do business in, or visit in the entire country”, says Frank Curran, Chief Executive Wicklow County Council.

Geographically the county is dominated by the Wicklow Mountains.

Among the most distinctive features are the Sally Gap, Powerscourt, the Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk and the early monastic site of Glendalough. County Wicklow has a population of 142,332 (CSO 2016) with the major population centres in the east of the county,

primarily in the larger towns of Bray, Greystones, Arklow and Wicklow.

The south and west of the county are more rural in character.

Wicklow County Council’s Mission is: “To improve the quality of life for the people and communities of County Wicklow through sustainable development, efficiently delivered effective services, democratic civic leadership and co-ordination with other public, community and private organisations to optimise available resources.”

Wicklow County Council provides essential public services thus contributing to the quality of life of its citizens and communities.

Services include social housing, roads and infrastructure, fire

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services, water and environmental services, waste management facilities, arts and leisure infrastructure, support for community and economic development. The County Council is committed to continuously improving infrastructure and services, including harbours, broadband, flood and coastal defences.

The Council provides democratic leadership; has a strong representative role and is the leading Public Sector body driving and co-ordinating Economic and Community Development.

There are five Municipal Districts: Arklow, Blessington, Bray, Greystones and Wicklow.

This year, the busy Wicklow County Council have several important projects underway, including the delivery of social and affordable housing and the development of housing solutions for individuals and families who present as homeless. Building communities is also extremely important.

Over j2m will be provided in 2018 to communities throughout the county under the Leader Programme.

In order to market the county, Wicklow launched the “Endless Opportunities” brand in early 2018 with a new web portal encapsulating everything Wicklow has to offer in terms of starting and growing a business and living, working and visiting the county.

The Council continues to promote and develop Wicklow as an investment location while developing further the Wicklow County Campus in partnership with IT Carlow.

From Vikings to Braveheart, County Wicklow has proved a popular filming location for productions of all sizes. The promotion and development of Film, Food, Tourism and Marine sectors is a focus of Wicklow County Council.

Wicklow County Council supports Town Teams in Arklow, Blessington, Bray, Greystones and Wicklow. The teams were established to improve the public realm and enhance the retail offering in each town. Results of the 2018 Enterprising Towns Awards are eagerly awaited, arising

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from Blessington‘s win in 2017 as the best town in Leinster (under 7,000 population) The development and maintenance of infrastructure remains a priority. The upgrade of the N11/M50 merge and the Arklow Wastewater Treatment and Arklow Flood Schemes are now at detailed design stage. 21,000 Wicklow residents commute outwards from the county to work each day. Wicklow County Council is conducting a survey to find out where commuters are travelling to and what they are working at with a view to identifying opportunities for reverse commuting.

Wicklow County Council is pleased to support the continued delivery of Ultra Fast Broadband, which Curran considers a vital component which forms the backbone of the economy and will allow towns in regions across the country to flourish and become local destinations for global businesses.

Not surprisingly in the Garden of Ireland, there have been several projects emphasising the natural beauty of the county. June 2018 saw the launch of the new “Neighbour Wood” at the Vartry Lakes, which opens up 20km of refurbished walks to the public in a very scenic area. This summer also saw the opening of the 8 km Greystones to Kilmacanogue Way. Wicklow County Council also worked on development of proposals for Greenways at the Blessington Lakes, Arklow to Shillelagh and the Wicklow to Greystones Coastal Route, as well as a network of walks and trails which will connect Bray to the Wicklow Way and beyond to the Blessington Greenway.

“Critical to success”, says Curran “are our hardworking, dedicated staff. Wicklow County Council is working towards becoming a Great Place to Work.” He also emphasises the new branding message, “There are ‘Endless Opportunities’ for our citizens, residents, visitors and business people to enjoy a high quality of life, wonderful scenery, excellent schools and educational facilities, a highly qualified work force, and a friendly Wicklow welcome.”

An Unmissable Experience COBH, THE QUEENSTOWN STORY An informative and emotive story of Irish Emigration - From Virginia to Barbados, from Canada to Australia.

Learn about Cobh’s connection with Titanic and The Lusitania Find ‘Cobh the Queenstown Story’ on Facebook

www.cobhheritage.com Cobh, The Queenstown Story Cobh Heritage Centre, Cobh, Co. Cork, Ireland.

CONTACT Phone: 00 353 (21) 4 813591 Fax: 00 353 (21) 4 813595 Email info@cobhheritage.com

OPENING HOURS Open 7 days a week year round Open 9.30 am - 5.30pm Bank Holidays & Sundays open at 11am

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Tourist Award, Top Tourist Attraction

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Because so many people from Ireland’s past travelled through this port, visitors to the Heritage Centre can learn about the great stories of these emigrants, over three million of whom left from Cobh. The exhibition takes the visitor on a journey of exploration from the early 1600’s in the overseas colonies of America and the West Indies to Canada and the USA and Australia. The tragic sinking of the Titanic and Lusitania and their links with Cobh are also inventively portrayed. Included are some wonderful stories of ordinary men and women and what happened to them, stories told in many inventive ways, showing the real face of emigration.

The Heritage Centre also offers a Genealogical service where one can trace their ancestors and delve into the various records and material available.

The centre is a wonderful place to bring visiting delegations from overseas to learn about our history and why and to where these people emigrated. It is a great source of local history where the

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Cobh Heritage Centre

Visitors to Cobh Heritage Centre get the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of our emigrant ancestors, those who left with the last sight of their homeland being the town of Cobh.

The Cobh Heritage Centre opened in 1992 with its exhibition -The Queenstown Story telling the story of emigration in its various form to various destinations from this famous port town. This very informative, educational and sometimes emotive exhibition is situated within the beautifully restored Victorian railway station in Cobh, a building with its own unique story.

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maritime history of the harbour is also displayed. It is also very popular with school and college groups of all ages.

General Manager Jack Walsh believes that the centre is important to anyone interested in the story of emigration and of the harbour and town of Cobh. “The public sector is very important to us and they recommend us and refer a lot of people to the centre. We are also very educational and get a great reaction from students young and old.”

The popularity of the centre means that there has been great investment in what is on offer as Mr Walsh explains: “We are constantly upgrading our exhibition and thanks to the support and backing of our Board we have been able to invest a great deal in recent years. We recently enlarged our exhibition space allowing us to enhance the exhibition and the stories we tell and with the assistance of Failte Ireland we introduced audio sets in 8 different languages to improve the experience for our foreign visitors. We are currently looking at several new ideas to improve the exhibition even more for 2019.”

The charming waterfront town of Cobh has much to offer with a maritime past that is a joy to explore. Discover the history of the town and its heritage as well as the story of Titanic at Cobh Heritage Centre - Cobh’s award-winning tourist attraction.

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NEWRY, MOURNE AND DOWN IS A WORLD APART, JUST AN HOUR FROM DUBLIN. DISCOVER A BREATHTAKING LANDSCAPE STEEPED IN HISTORY AND MADE FOR EXHILARATION.

Answer the call of the wild outdoors and trek into the storied valleys of the Mourne Mountains, set sail on the Irish Sea, or barrel down forested slopes on mountain bike. Visit iconic Westerosi landmarks at key Game of Thrones® filming locations – the Twins, the King’s Road, and Winterfell Castle itself. Walk ancient paths and uncover enigmatic dolmens, cairns and court tombs built thousands of years ago by a mysterious people. Stand in the sacred places where St Patrick – Ireland’s patron saint – began his ministry.

Whatever your idea of heaven, you can find it in Newry, Mourne and Down.

Set out on your adventure at

heaveninaheartbeat.com

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Tourism, Culture & Events

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Newry, Mourne & Down District Council Excellence in Tourism, Culture & Events

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC) is on track to realising its goal of becoming the premier tourism destination on the Island of Ireland.

The area is a premier, year-round mountain and maritime destination, recognised for its EPIC experiences in outdoor adventure, its rich tapestry of cultural heritage, myths and unique stories, and its authentic local life.

According to the most recent statistics released by Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) Tourism Local Government Statistics, spending from overnight trips to Newry, Mourne and Down has risen by 47% from £61m in 2016 to £90m in 2017. The spend profile has been on an upward trend since the amalgamation of the Councils in 2015, when estimated spend on overnight trips to the region was £48.1m.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairman, Councillor Mark Murnin is delighted with the results of the tourism statistics from NISRA saying that the Council has always recognised that tourism is a critical economic driver in the region, which is why it made the commitment within its Corporate Plan in 2015 to be the

premier tourism destination on the Island of Ireland.

“We have taken a number of strategic steps in order to achieve this status. The Council’s Tourism Strategy recognises that today’s visitors, particularly those from out-of-state, want to see much more than just the local sights. They are looking for a higher level of engagement – a way to connect with the people and the essence of a place. They want an emotional connection and an opportunity to get off the beaten track. They seek authentic experiences that enrich their lives and create lasting memories that they can talk about and importantly share amongst their peer group.”

Cllr Murnin continued, “Over the last three years the Council has been actively working with the tourism industry and our partners in government to create these experiences and build our profile as a premier tourism destination. The development of new festivals under the Giant Adventures brand, in tandem with established events, demonstrates the scale of our ambition to host world-class

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epic moments, drawing on our mountains and coastline and those stories unique to us.

“We have developed a new way of working with the industry in our region through the NMDDC Visitor Experience Plan (VEP), the first of its kind in Northern Ireland. This has been the outcome of extensive consultation with business operators and agencies. The Visitor Experience Plan helps to unite the unique visitor experiences in our district in a way that highlights their distinctive attributes while establishing a strong market position for the area.”

The Council has also been working in collaboration with Tourism NI, Forest Service, National Trust and Northern Ireland Water to maximise the potential of the visitor attractions within the destination. The 47% growth in revenue demonstrates that these steps are clearly paying off, and the tourism market is responding to the measures that we have taken to date.

A number of experiences have been developed through the work of the Visitor Experience Plan under the ‘Mountains, Myths and Maritime’ theme, to promote the area’s EPIC Experiences to its growing market. These were positively received at a recent Meet the Buyer event coordinated and organised by Tourism NI in April.

Cllr Murnin is delighted at the recognition of the Public Sector Award and says that the Council will continue to work with Tourism NI and its partners to realise its goal

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of being the premier tourism destination on the Island of Ireland and support Northern Ireland tourism’s upward trend of becoming a £1 billion industry by the end of the decade.

Newry, Mourne & Down Visitor Experiences include: • Characters, Coastline & Contraband – explore the Mournes by bike and hear the myths, legends and history that make this area so unique.

• Through the Wardrobe Experience – explore the landscape that inspired CS Lewis to write ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’.

• Celtic Warrior Experience – spend three days in the Ring of Gullion learning the ways of the ancient Celts.

• Game of Thrones Tour – get under the skin of the iconic show through a series of authentic experiences.

• Footsteps of the Celts – learn about the ancient druids through meditation, mindfulness and visits to sites of historical and spiritual significance.

• Saints, Sinners, & Summits – join an experienced guide to walk through the Mournes and hear its stories.

• Oysters and Chocolate Tour – indulge in the delicious produce of the region on a food tour with an experienced guide.

• Smugglers and Seaweed Experience – follow the smuggling routes across the Mournes with a guide who knows the history inside out.

• Infinity Swim Safari Tour – push your limits with open water swimming on the region’s many bodies of water including Carlingford Lough and the Irish Sea.

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Personal Support

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Dzogchen Beara Excellence in Personal Support through Difficult Times

Located on the wild and majestic Beara Peninsula in West Cork, Dzogchen Beara is a Buddhist retreat centre which offers a range of meditation and compassion retreats - nearly all of which are suitable for beginners and don’t involve difficult postures or complicated techniques.

explains Centre Director, Malcolm MacClancy.

The Care Centre at Dzogchen Beara was opened by President McAleese in 2007 and is a fully accessible building, purpose-built as a haven of peace and tranquillity.

“Very many people have benefitted from the healing power of the natural environment, where the rugged Slieve Miskish Mountains meet the vast Atlantic Ocean. Buddhist masters say that the view alone inspires the experience of meditation without effort.

“Our programme includes retreats with special focuses, such as contemplative walking, bereavement, work-related stress and accredited trainings for health and social-care professionals,”

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Meditation provides significant mental, physical, emotional and spiritual benefits, and the Dzogchen Beara Meditation Centre is committed to promoting awareness and interest in an age-old practice which enhances health and wellbeing.

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“Our spiritual care team offers planned personal breaks, including listening support and guidance in meditative techniques helpful for stress, anxiety, grief or pain, at no additional cost.

As well as a comprehensive programme of retreats, workshops and professional trainings, there are also twice daily guided meditations

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which are free and open to everyone. Visitors can drop-in any time, relax in the café and bookshop, enjoy a coffee, home-baking and tasty vegetarian food, or unwind in the gardens. To really get away from it all, stay for a few days or longer in the centre’s secluded clifftop cottages, care centre rooms or traditional farmhouse hostel. The centre is also an ideal base from which to explore the many attractions of the area.

Dzogchen Beara Meditation Centre devise tailored programmes for groups and have hosted a wide variety of retreats including people living with illness or disability, schools, writers, singers and story-tellers, yoga retreats, women’s groups and team-building and planning retreats.

MacClancy also points to the number of free events which are hosted every year and says it is a policy of Dzogchen Beara not to refuse anyone on the basis of finance. “We’re a charity and we believe that it’s important that everyone has the opportunity to experience the rewards of meditation.

We have a retreat fund to help with fees and a fund to assist people on spiritual care breaks,” he says.

The benefits of meditation and mindfulness are well established and MacClancy believes that public servants and particularly those working in challenging sectors such as social work, the caring professions and health can significantly boost their mental wellbeing by practising mindfulness.

“Public servants strive to ensure the best care is there for all of us, including the most vulnerable, often in challenging, stressful environments,” says MacClancy. “We believe it is very important to care for the carers, and that carers know how to care for themselves. There’s a growing body of compelling scientific evidence on the benefits of

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mindfulness for general wellness and mental health.

“It’s been shown that training in meditation focused on compassion benefits healthcare workers and others in frontline services to avoid burnout and fatigue.

“Dzogchen Beara was one of the first places to offer this kind of training in Ireland. We’ve been here for more than 30 years and hope to continue to play our part in the future, promoting inner peace, kindness and fundamental care and sanity in our society.”

MacClancy is also excited by the progress being made on Ireland’s first Tibetan Buddhist temple, which is being built on site. “It’s in a magnificent situation, perched high on the edge of the cliffs. It’s being built in traditional style with innovative features such as floor-to-ceiling windows that make the most of the views over Bantry Bay. We’re calling it a beacon of wisdom and compassion for our time.”

The temple will be open to the public and will increase the centre’s capacity to host events for up to 300 people. It will be a place of meditation and contemplation, as well as a venue for workshops and conferences for dialogue and learning, and hosting visiting teachers from many spiritual traditions and secular disciplines.

Anyone can learn to meditate, according to MacClancy and the benefits of this simple practice are profound and farreaching and can be directly integrated into all aspects of our daily life and relationships. “To serve others effectively while maintaining your own happiness and wellbeing, you have to begin by being kind to yourself,” he says. “Meditating is an easy way to do that. In fact, one great teacher said that the gift of learning to meditate is the greatest gift you can give yourself in this lifetime. So, go on, treat yourself!”

ACCOMMODATION - CAFÉ - MEDITATION – RETREATS – VENUE HIRE

i n f o @ d zo g c h e n b e a ra .o rg | 027 73 03 2 | B e a ra P e n i n s u l a , We st C o r k

www.dzogchenbeara.org

HOSTING THE WORLD SINCE 1798

Don’t just explore our heritage, immerse yourself in it… people from all over the world have set on a journey through the Dublin mountains to discover the quaint allurement that lies behind the doors at Johnnie Fox’s.

HAVE A HOOLEY

Step back in time to discover the true Irish experience at the renowned Johnnie Fox’s Hooley Night - this includes the famous Fox’s troupe of Irish dancers, lively band playing traditional Irish music, a four course meal by our award winning kitchen and plenty of good ‘aul’ Irish craic.

From Presidents to Prime Ministers, from film icons to farmers, from sporting greats to singing legends, the pub has become famous for its guests and its true ‘Céad mile fáilte’.

Johnnie Fox’s is inimitable to the pretender - It has often been copied, never equalled .

BOOK NOW

to avoid disappointment

www.johnniefoxs.com Phone: +353 1 2955647

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Entertainment Ireland’s Highest Pub

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Traditional music sessions are as much alive today as they were in the past and Johnnie Fox’s has been famous for these sessions both locally and internationally.

Johnnie Fox’s hosts an Irish Dancing “Hooley” show where guests can avail of a special four course menu with a full night of entertainment. This allows customers to savour the highlights of Johnnie Fox’s culinary offerings before enjoying a night of traditional musicians and talented Irish dancers.

Visitors can marvel at the top-class performances from acts playing folk, ballads, and traditional music followed by the wonderful Johnnie Fox’s Irish dancers. This famous dance show is renowned to be one of the best cultural shows in the country.

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Johnnie Fox’s

Established in 1798, Johnnie Fox’s is one of Ireland’s oldest and most famous pubs, also famed as the Highest Pub in Ireland. Johnnie Fox’s is the perfect gathering place and an ideal location for a party or corporate event with a nostalgic and unique offering.

Nestled high in the mountains, in the peaceful township of Glencullen and surrounded by the beautiful scenery and serenity of the Wicklow & Dublin’s countryside, Johnnie Fox’s is a world apart yet just 25 minute’s drive from the hustle and bustle of Dublin City.

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Excellence in Entertainment Ireland’s Highest Pub

defining and nurturing our latest new area in the old Haggart. This area is an all year-round outdoor option for select event calendar dates and for private parties who are keener on our alcohol offerings, it is adaptable and a unique setting with old pig sheds made cosy for private parties. It will also lend itself to summertime BBQ or spit roast/fire pit area.”

So next time a great night out is being planned it is well worth ‘taking to the hills’ to Johnnie Fox’s. Or, indeed for a perfect afternoon lunch where better than heading out of the city, away from traffic and parking constraints and for some fresh air and fine fresh seafood.

“We are here for you, for every occasion or indeed just to treat yourself out for a family light nibble. So, if you have considered a nice brisk mountain walk or a scenic drive with a good quality lunch or a night’s entertainment, we are available with a range of choices.”

Furthermore, transportation is never a difficulty, as there is a shuttle bus service that operates to and from the city seven nights a week, at just j10 return.

Johnnie Fox’s award-winning seafood kitchen is open for food every day. Their chefs are a dedicated team of qualified professionals who take pride in their work. The majority of ingredients for the restaurant are sourced locally, from high-quality “farm to fork suppliers”. Great food comes from great ingredients, and it is for this reason that customers are drawn to Johnnie Fox’s year after year. The menu boasts classic Irish dishes along with impressive seafood platters and a few modern favourites for balance.

With so much on offer it is little wonder that Johnnie Fox’s see many public sector clients both on an individual basis and for parties and events.

“We at JFP have a great understanding of the value our public sector employees contribute to the economy and very much respect this, we are also a business and we understand the connectivity of the public sector network and the numbers involved, therefore to us as a local business we are very cognisant of this effect on our prospective revenue stream,” explains Business Manager Kaitlin McMahon.

With bookings and enquiries on the rise for specialty events Ms McMahon says that Johnnie Fox’s has much to offer: “We are currently

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holiday & adventure destination

© David Lawlor

Clashganny Lock on the River Barrow

Duckett’s Grove Historic House and Walled Gardens

In County Carlow rural life is the way of life.

Soaring mountains, verdant river valleys, rich rolling countryside and a wealth of heritage offer the perfect backdrop for a range of great festivals including the Carlow Garden Festival, County Carlow Golf Classic, Carlow Autumn Walking Festival and a series of events at the stunning Duckett’s Grove Historic House and Walled Gardens.

County Carlow Golf Classic Mount Wolseley

059 913 0411

Carlow Garden Festival at Altamont Plant Sales

Immerse yourself in the story of Ireland’s Ancient East in County Carlow. Get off the beaten track to see, hear, touch and feel the imprints of the millennia of settlers in this county. Take your time to discover it all – Stone Age artefacts, monasteries, medieval castles and large country houses and estates.

Carlow Autumn Walking Festival

www.carlowtourism.com

Duckett’s Grove Christmas Fair

info@carlowtourism.com

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Festivals and Events

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Carlow Tourism Excellence in Festivals and Events

Set against a beautiful landscape with mountains, glorious countryside and river valleys all close at hand, Carlow is a county worth exploring. Tasked with helping people discover the wonders of the county, Carlow Tourism provides a cohesive approach to tourism marketing and development planning.

The company implements a comprehensive marketing programme focusing on literature production, website and social media representation, attendance at consumer fairs, advertising, travel trade and media events and event/festival management. In this regard, the company operates an extensive festival and event programme which sees the organisation of four to five events annually. In 2018 the programme featured the Carlow Garden Festival, Carlow Autumn Walking Festival, County Carlow Golf Classic, A Day with the Ducketts replicating life in this historic property as it was in the early years of the 20th century and a series of country fairs at Duckett’s Grove. Some of the festivals have been in operation for a number of years while A Day with the Ducketts was organised for the first time in 2018. The focus of the company on festival and event development initially stemmed from an absence of festivals within Carlow at the time and the understanding and belief in festivals and events as key drivers of tourism growth and repeat visits to an area.

Carlow Tourism was originally established in October 2001 as a partnership between Carlow Local Authorities, agencies and the tourism industry within the county. The relationship the company enjoys with Carlow County Council is critical to its sustainability.

The company implements an annual marketing strategy on behalf of the tourism industry and works co-operatively with Carlow County Council on the delivery of a range of projects and visitor experiences including the tourism elements of the Town and Village programme, Duckett’s Grove Historic House and Walled Gardens and walking product enhancements.

festival. There are clear advantages to the county in pursuing this idea - with legitimacy County Carlow can claim the title of the most gentrified county in Ireland, where, until the early years of the 20th century, as many as sixty estate houses dominated its architectural landscape and social and cultural life. The festival aims to present the key stories around Carlow’s big houses which would be achieved through a mix of guided tours of the houses and gardens, historical talks and the opportunity to enjoy unique activities including afternoon tea, dining or walks through the estates together with live workshops. Given the strength of the spiritual and religious tourism offering, the county has recently applied to Fáilte Ireland under the festival innovation programme to interpret the county’s significant offering in this area through a festival focusing on Carlow’s saints including St. Columbanus and St. Willibrord who made a huge impact on much of Europe including France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

As a rural Councillor, Murphy feels that tourism is significant as an agent for rural development. He also cites the importance of a shared vision by all agencies involved in tourism development at local level, including Carlow County Council, Fáilte Ireland and Carlow County Development Partnership as being hugely important. “Progress would be slow if this relationship did not exist,” he states. In conclusion he confirms that the county believes significantly in the potential of the Ireland Ancient East brand to drive growth into the county and is focusing on its key themes in which the county performs strongly.

Chairman of the company is Cllr. John Murphy. The Board led by the Chairman is currently overseeing a number of key projects to year end. Commenting Cllr. Murphy notes - “We are hoping to attract a number of high-profile UK gardening personalities to the Carlow Garden Festival again, which has really strengthened the profile of the festival in recent years. We are also busy preparing for the Duckett’s Grove Christmas Food and Craft Fair which takes place on Sunday, December 2nd in the ruined gothic mansion of Duckett’s Grove, owned by Carlow County Council. Its historic surroundings will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland for the day and an array of festive activities will be available to entertain and delight all the family.”

Cllr. Murphy notes that other initiatives in the festival and event area include the piloting of a new festival for the county based around the big houses and gardens story in 2019 which will take place in the summer season. The company is currently progressing a feasibility study in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland in respect of the

Cllr. John Murphy, Chairman of Carlow Tourism pictured with staff members l-r Alison Fitzharris, Festival and Events Co-ordinator, Eileen O’ Rourke, CEO and Debbie Lawlor, Accounts Administrator

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For more information on Longford Arts Contact: Fergus Kennedy, Longford County Arts Office, Aras an Chontae Great Water Street Longford fkennedy@longfordcoco.ie | www.longfordcoco.ie

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Services to Arts & Culture

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018

Arts Category

Public bodies and local authorities in particular have played an instrumental role in providing support and fostering a greater appreciation for culture and the arts in local communities. This year, the winner of the 2018 Public Sector Award for Services to Arts and Culture is Longford County Council Arts Office for its contribution to the dynamic and colourful artistic life of Longford.

Longford County Council established the County Arts Office in November 1996 for the purposes of supporting and developing both the amateur and professional artistic community in County Longford,to engage the wider community in the arts and to enhance the public profile of the arts.

The Arts Office advises Longford County Council on all matters relating to the arts and acts as a public contact point for information on such issues as professional development, project planning, funding opportunities for artists, arts organisations and community groups.

The County Arts Office is the primary agency of research for all cultural and arts related subjects, according to Fergus Kennedy who was appointed first County Arts Officer in 1996: “Our priority is to ensure that Longford County Council is up-to-date with the latest strategic and policy development in the country thus enabling Longford County Council to avail of any appropriate funding opportunities that may present,” he said.

The County Arts Office works on the principal that best practises in arts development arises when results are achieved by supporting projects developed and delivered by artists or arts groups. On occasion, however, when the arts office identifies gaps in provision for the arts sector, it initiates and develops projects where appropriate.

Examples of such projects include the Longford IT Cultural Programme encompassing www.virtualwriter.ie - which won an Excellence in Local Government Award 2017; the Longford Digital Arts project, Longford County Choir, Longford Schools Photography Programme [Ireland’s largest such project] which won an Excellence in Local Government Award 2018, Dead of Night Festival and most recently: Mide, Longford Street Theatre Group and Mide Samba Band.

In terms of the Longford Arts Office’s key objectives, Director of Services, Barbara Heslin says the focus is on continuing the development of its expertise in - and maintaining its position - as Ireland’s leading local authority in the area of digital technology/social media support of cultural development. Creative writing, music and street theatre also feature prominently on the agenda.

“Longford has the highest number of creative writers per head of population in Ireland. We intend to continue to nurture our creative writers and in particular our young writers by developing writing in schools projects,” she says. “We will continue our support for the development of street theatre and spectacle through Mide Street Theatre Company and Mide Samba Band.

“This Autumn and Winter, Longford County Council is also embarking on a comprehensive music development strategy in recognition of the number and quality of musicians throughout the county.

Expressing her delight at receiving the Public Sector Services to the Arts Award, Heslin says one of the primary reasons for the concerted effort to develop Longford’s cultural sector is that the culture and creative expression of the people of Longford is a major element of the unique identity of the county. “Second, the right of a citizen to develop their creative talents and to express those talents through their chosen medium is a fundamental right,” she says. “Finally, the arts play a crucial strategic role in assisting Longford County Council to achieve its development objectives and enhance the quality of life of Longford citizens.”

Discussing the importance of promoting the arts in our communities, Kennedy says it is a well-established fact that our culture is the single biggest component of our sense of identity. “At a time of a rapidly changing social, political and economic environment we need the certainties of our traditions and of our cultural heritage as expressed by our artists, writers and musicians to remind us of where we came from and as sign posts of the direction we may travel into the future,” he remarks.:“Apart from contributing to the development of a positive and distinctive identity for our county, the arts play an important role in strengthening community ties, facilitating social integration and cultural appreciation and tolerance.

“Therefore, as our local communities evolve and become more culturally sophisticated and diverse, the arts will play an increasingly important role in bringing people together and help us to understand and appreciate our community’s strengths through diversity.”

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CRUISE.COM

“NO FLY” CRUISING Holidays from Dublin & Cobh

After another successful 2018 Programme we are delighted to announce that “Magellan” is back Home-Porting in Ireland for 2019.

Date

From

Destination

Duration

10-July 2019

Dublin

Iceland & Faroes

11 nights

21-July 2019

Dublin

Summer Gardens & River Seine Experience

7 nights

28-July 2019

Dublin

Grand Fjordland Splendour

12 nights

9-August 2019

Dublin

Spain, Portugal & Gibraltar

10 nights

19-August 2019

Dublin

Summertime Fjordland

11 nights

30-August 2019

Dublin

British Isles Discovery

12 nights

11-September 2019

Ringaskiddy

Iceland’s Land of Ice & Fire

12 nights

23-September 2019

Cobh

Baltic Cities & St Petersburg

16 nights

12-October 2019

Dublin

Iceland, Faroes & Land of the Northern Lights

13 nights

25-October 2019

Dublin

River Seine Experience

7 nights

20-December 2019

Cobh

Christmas & New Year Canaries & Madeira (Marco Polo)

16 nights

5-January 2020

Cobh

Grand Africa & Indian Ocean Voyage (Marco Polo)

78 nights

For a brochure call 074-9135960 or contact your local travel agent JMG Travel, Gortahork, Co. Donegal Tel: 074 91 35201 • Email: jmgtravel@eircom.net

www.jmgcruise.com

Licensed & Bonded

Tour Operators No. 214

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Vacations & Cruising Holidays

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 JMG Travel Excellence in Vacations-Cruising Holidays for the Public Sector

Irish tour operator JMG Travel is leading the way in No-Fly Cruise travel directly from Ireland.

From humble beginnings in the passenger transport sector, McGinley Coach Travel has expanded and diversified to become one of Ireland’s leading coach and tour operators. Today, the company offers comprehensive group travel and leisure services to the Irish, European and worldwide markets and has provided travel solutions to thousands of satisfied customers.

JMG Travel is the tour operating division of the company and under the direction of its Managing Director James McGinley, the family run company has moved into many new and different sectors of the travel industry to include inbound tour operations, outbound airpackage holidays, specialist group travel services, independent travel and wholesaling to the travel trade.

2011 first saw the introduction of No-Fly cruising to their portfolio.

Not content with sitting still JMG Travel is expanding further into this market with an exciting choice of cruises planned for the years ahead.

In conjunction with their UK cruise partners Cruise & Maritime Voyages, JMG Travel specialises in great value No-Fly cruising holidays, offering a leisurely, home-from-home style of cruising with the emphasis very much on providing a friendly, personal service. JMG Travel are excited about this programme of great value scenic cruising holidays which features convenient sailings from Dublin and Cobh aboard the impressive Magellan. This 726ft cruise liner boasts nine passenger decks with among other things, restaurants, lounges, a card room, a library, two swimming pools and three whirlpools. Destinations offered are also diverse. “We offer Norway’s Fjordland; Iceland & Northern Isles; Spain, Portugal & France; Scottish Isles & Faroes and Summer Gardens & the River Seine,” says James McGinley Managing director. “Whatever you choose, we are sure that our traditional cruise experience combining superb dining, great entertainment and friendly service, will delight you,” he adds.

The cruise industry is flourishing at the moment with an increasing number of people discovering the appeal of sea holidays. According

to the worldwide travel and tourism industry organisation, cruising is one of the fastest-growing industries and it is fast becoming an important segment in the travel sector. For years Ireland was forgotten when it came to No-Fly cruising, “only a few years ago you had to fly to the UK or Europe to get on board a cruise ship, now you can do this from Dublin and Cobh,” says James, “I’m delighted to be at the fore of this industry in Ireland and looking forward to expanding this further.”

James describes how they first got involved in No-Fly cruising.

Having spotted a gap in the market, JMG Travel took the lead and organised their first charter in 2011. “Since then we have slowly built up the number of departures each year. Next year we will operate 12 cruises from Ireland and we are already looking at 2020 so lots happening for JMG going forward,” says James.

James goes on to encourage customers to try No-Fly Cruising if they have not tried it before. “There hasn’t been a better time to try out a cruise holiday, plenty of destinations and dates to choose from next year so go on and try the lure of a No-Fly Cruise,” he says.

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County Kerry, located on the south west coast of Ireland, is a world-class unmissable holiday destination.

County Kerry boasts some of Ireland’s most iconic and breath-taking scenery – majestic mountain ranges, long sandy beaches, a dramatic coastline, lakes, rivers, woodlands, and welcoming towns and villages.

A treasure trove of historic and pre- historic sites and monuments nestled amidst the awe-inspiring landscapes of our Beara, Iveragh and Dingle Peninsulas and the rolling pastureland of North Kerry are waiting to be explored.

A perfect destination to enjoy activities and adventure – on land, in the water and even in the air, County Kerry is a natural playground for young and young-at-heart, with hiking, cycling, surfing and sailing, golf, fishing and star-gazing all on offer.

Kerry is gaining a world-wide reputation as a ‘foodie’ destination with traditional pubs, cafes and restaurants offering high quality, locally-sourced food and beverage.

With a wide range of accommodation and great travel options to suit every budget. The Kingdom of Kerry awaits.

Facebook: Kerry Your Natural Escape Twitter: @KerryYourNatEsc www.kerrycoco.ie/en/allservices/tourism For our latest Kerry Activity Brochure please download from: http://www.kerrycoco.ie/home3/tourism/brochures/

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Services to Tourism

The breadth of activities that Kerry County Council are involved in – planning and development, environmental protection, provision of tourism facilities and services, marketing, event development and management – all demonstrate an organisation-wide commitment to fostering and supporting tourism development, innovation and investment. Joan McCarthy who heads up Kerry County Council’s Tourism Unit says: “While the protection of our natural and built environment and the provision of public services is our primary statutory role, the development of sustainable tourism will ensure profitable businesses both large and small which will help to create significant growth in employment figures in the County and is of huge importance to Kerry County Council. To ensure an even greater coordinated and integrated approach to tourism promotion and development, in 2013, Kerry County Council established the Destination Kerry Tourism Forum – a group representative of all the major tourism interests in the county both public and private. In 2014, a dedicated Tourism Unit was established to support the Destination Kerry Tourism Forum and to work with Failte Ireland and the industry to give Kerry tourism the singular focus it deserves.”

Tourism’s potential for further growth in terms of revenue generation and job creation is considerable and in 2016, the County Kerry Tourism Strategy & Action Plan 2016-2022 was launched following an extensive public consultation process. The Strategy sets out the priorities and investment plans for tourism in the county and includes 273 short, medium and long-term actions under seven key areas: Infrastructure; Adventure; Environment, Natural & Cultural Heritage; Community Tourism, Events & Festivals; Education; Enterprise & Innovation; Branding & Marketing. The delivery of these actions is ongoing and the cooperation and participation by lead partners, state agencies, development companies and local communities will guarantee their success.

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Kerry is hugely dependent on tourism with over 2.2 million visitors travelling to the county each year, generating j540 million in revenue and resulting in a work force where one in five are employed in tourismrelated enterprises.

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County Kerry boasts some of Ireland’s most iconic scenery. It tops the visitor list for many from both home and abroad thanks to the sterling work of Kerry County Council, the local tourism businesses, Chamber Alliances and Development Companies.

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Kerry County Council Local Government Promoting Tourism Award

to the region, how to ensure visitors stay longer, the power of social media and a networking evening which allowed businesses to promote themselves and get to know all of what is on offer, both accommodation and activities in their areas. Lecturers from I.T. Tralee’s Hotel, Culinary & Tourism Department delivered the two-night course and it is planned to roll-out the programme to other areas of the county.

The Tourism Unit alongside Fáilte Ireland is working on the production of a Dingle Peninsula Visitor Experience Development Plan. The unit is also advancing designs for a high-tech mobile observatory as a shared resource for communities in the International Dark Sky Reserve in South Kerry. The observatory will operate in all weathers, both night and day, with input from a range of national and international agencies and institutions including the European Space Agency. It will be the only such facility in Europe and will give the Kerry Dark Sky Reserve an advantage over competitor astro-tourism destinations.

With the co-operation of over 350 local businesses, the Tourism Unit continued its ongoing marketing campaign for the county with the launch of a County Kerry Activity Brochure which includes details of what to do and where to go in the Kingdom. Over 5000 copies have already been circulated with a new print run ordered for the shoulder season.

Joan McCarthy, Kerry County Council states, “we recognise the importance of tourism in Kerry and its significant contribution to the economic, social and cultural life of the county.

“The role of the Tourism Unit is to support the tourism industry and work to sustain Kerry as a high quality and competitive tourism destination whilst ensuring a sustainable tourism product – striking the balance between the needs of the visitor, the place, heritage assets and the host communities.”

Currently the Tourism Unit is progressing several projects including Bray Head, Valentia Island: Development of the iconic watch tower as a discovery point for the Skelligs Coast on the Wild Atlantic Way. A hugely successful tourism ambassador programme from Killorglin/Mid Kerry saw thirteen new Kerry Tourism Ambassadors complete the Tourism Ambassador Programme in Kerry in 2018. Launched by Minister Brendan Griffin, this initiative was developed by the Tourism Unit in association with the Institute of Technology in Tralee and the Destination Kerry Tourism Forum. Participants from a broad range of tourism businesses and organisations in their area were invited to complete the course which covered an overview of tourism, the value and importance of tourism

L-R Joan McCarthy, Head of Tourism Unit Moira Murrell, Chief Executive

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EXPERIENCE

WHISKEY IN THE MAKING

VISIT SLANE DISTILLERY TODAY

HONOUR THE LEGACY. SIP RESPONSIBLY SLANE IRISH WHISKEY IS A TRADEMARK OF BROWN-FORMAN CORPORATION. © 2018 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Distillery Tours/Whiskey Tasting

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Slane Distillery Distillery Tours/Whiskey Tasting

With their signature triple-casked blend, Slane Irish Whiskey celebrates the return of exceptional whiskey to Ireland’s Boyne Valley.

Slane Distillery is a partnership between the Brown family (BrownForman Corporation) of Louisville, Kentucky and the Conyngham family of Slane, County Meath. Their world class working distillery and visitor experience is housed in the stable buildings of Slane Castle which dates back over 250 years. The distillery opened in September 2017 after a three year, j45M regeneration project.

“Our award-winning whiskey is crafted using a unique triple cask blend method and is now being made in our cutting-edge production facility which is housed within the stable buildings,” explains Homeplace Manager, Jay Basson. “Our visitor experience offers converted and potential whiskey lovers the chance to become immersed into the Slane story, taking them through the entire whiskey making process, from grain to glass. To finish off the experience in the perfect way, visitors can then enjoy some stunning Slane cocktails in one of two unique public bars before browsing our wonderful whiskey gift shop.”

the first ever log cabin Christmas Market housed in the 250-yearold stable courtyards of Slane Distillery. The festive market will bring together local food and craft producers with live music in a setting that is positioned beautifully for a magical experience every weekend in December.

Slane Distillery would like to encourage readers of the Public Sector Magazine to VISIT SLANE NOW! Aside from a combination tour of the Distillery and Slane Castle, there is an incredible culinary and cocktail programme between both venues. You can spend as little as an hour or several hours on site so there really is something for everyone.

Public Sector Magazine Readers can get a 20% discount at Slane Distillery when booking online at Slaneirishwhiskey.com using discount code PSM2018. Offer ends 30/04/2019 *valid on a Distillery tour only.

The investment and opening of Slane Distillery has brought visible growth into the local economy and local businesses. Working closely with local and national tourism boards such as Tourism Ireland, Failte Ireland and Discover Boyne Valley Slane Distillery aim to grow the visitor count to 60,000 within three to five years. “The growth that Slane Distillery aims to drive in domestic and international footfall into the village of Slane and the Boyne Valley region will have direct benefits to local hotels, restaurants, bars and other businesses,” Basson says. “We are a proud member of the Ireland’s Ancient East brand and work closely with other local tourism venues and partners to ensure that the Boyne Valley is a must visit destination.”

Basson is generous in his praise for local partnerships and the support they have received from both public sector organisations and the local council: “Slane Distillery is proud to work very closely with a number of public sector organisations both nationally and locally, in particular Meath County Council who have been an incredible support to the nature of our start up business and the regeneration of the listed buildings which are now home to Slane Irish Whiskey.

We look forward to continuing to strengthen these relationships and develop new ones within the public sector.”

Success has been swift and Slane Irish Whiskey is now in a number of international markets and is a big part of Brown-Forman’s future.

At a more local level, the leadership teams at Slane Distillery and Slane Castle are collaborating on a number of new experiences for visitors to avail of when they visit Slane. In the coming years the tour experiences available on site will be strategically developed and a programme of annual ‘must do’ events will be announced making Slane a ‘day away from Dublin’ destination. December 2018 will see

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OUTRIGHT WINNERS Tourism Development Award

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Over 1,300 years Spike Island has been home to a 6th century monastery, a 24-acre fortress, the world’s largest convict depot and more recently, winner of lead tourist attraction at the World Travel Awards.

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Spike Island Development Company Excellence in Tourism Development Award

Spike Island Development Company is run by Cork County Council to oversee the daily operations of Spike Island and to develop the resource.

The island is a national monument - considerable in its size at 104 acres - and with several centuries’ old buildings and prisons, its maintenance is a sizable task. In addition, with up to 1000 visitors daily taking a ferry journey across the harbour, the Spike Island Development Company is responsible for the safety and security of visitors while also ensuring that they have a wonderful visit.

“Our overall aim is to grow the visitor numbers to Cork and to develop the resource for the people of Cork,” explains Island Manager, John Crotty.

“We offer guided tours starting with a ferry journey from Cobh and taking in the outer island and inner fortress. Visitors can then self explore using the free map and app, and we have several museums, exhibitions, island walks and a cafe on-site to keep them entertained. We also offer one off events like 5km runs and concerts which attract many local visitors.”

Tourism development is essential to Ireland and its importance will only grow in the future. In 2017 over 10 million visitors spent over 10 billion euros and that expenditure supported over 225,000 jobs in Ireland - and these figures are just from overseas visitors.

With technology rapidly replacing many roles in other industries, tourism is a key area where people will continue to be required to guide visitors, maintain displays and facilitate tourists. As a result, Crotty says that continued investment in this sector is crucial, as ‘brand Ireland’ continues to punch well above its weight and attract overseas investment via this channel.

The overall master plan for Spike Island includes the full redevelopment of the outer island and fortress, and phase two of a three phase approach is ready for roll out. “We aim to add an International Welcome Hub on the pier for arrivals, which visitors

would use to orientate themselves and discover how best to enjoy the island,” explains Crotty. “We hope to reopen the Island’s largest cell block, which held many famous inmates like The General, Martin Cahill. And we also hope to redevelop the Spike Island ‘dungeons’, a series of deep tunnels under the fort walls that were used to hold prisoners in Victorian times.” There are also exciting plans to develop glamping and camping on the outer island and a series of targeted exhibitions, like Spike-US and Spike–Australia that stress our links to those countries.

These are exciting times at Spike Island and as Island Manager, Crotty says that he and the team look forward to welcoming visitors at last. “The island remained untouched and unseen by only the unlucky few for over 200 years as it went from being an enormous fortress to the world’s largest prison and back and forth in that manner for centuries.

“Irish people were deprived of the rich history of this special island, but now thanks to Cork County Council and Failte Ireland, we can share the stories and heritage that make this place so special. The j6.5 million invested to date is just the start of creating a premier Irish attraction.”

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OUTRIGHT WINNERS Best Tourist Attraction

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Michael Collins House Best Tourist Attraction

Michael Collins House in Clonakilty is a museum dedicated to Michael Collins and the story of Irish Independence. Through guided tours, interactive displays, audio visuals, historical artefacts and much more, history is brought to life for all the family, all year round.

A Cork County Council initiative, it was conceived by Clonakilty Town Council as a monument to the memory of Clonakilty’s most famous son, Michael Collins. “We honour the memory of Michael Collins and provide a valuable asset to the local community through our events and educational outreach programme and also act as a business driver by attracting visitors and tourists to the town,” explains General Manager Jamie Murphy.

Mr Murphy explains that Michael Collins House is a publicly funded museum and as such, it is a museum belonging to the people. “We serve the public and do our best to provide an institution which is an asset to the local and national community and something the public can be proud of.”

The team can be very proud of what they have achieved to date and a number of projects are planned for the immediate and not too distant future.

“The museum itself, our displays, artefacts and tours are continually developing as is our overall programme of events,” enthuses Murphy.

“We have a new exhibition launching in January 2019, coinciding with the centenary of the start of the Irish War of Independence.

Additionally, we have just launched our new audiovisual guides which add an additional dimension to the museum and to self guided tours.

Much more than an audio guide, these guides are based on tablets or on your own personal mobile device and provide an audio guide, videos, photos and in-depth information.

This provides an alternative tour type which appeals to all ages. We are currently developing different language versions of this also.”

a local school where students take the reins and curate their own exhibit under the mentorship of the museum staff. “This is a key part of the MCH educational and outreach programme which also includes regular events such as history talks, workshops, special guided tours and lots more,” explains Murphy.

In a town intrinsically linked with Michael Collins, Clonakilty’s favourite son draws visitors from Ireland and from overseas. As Paul Kelly, CEO of Fáilte Ireland says, attractions are one of the key reasons why many visitors choose Ireland as a destination – they create the variety of experiences that make for an enjoyable holiday and are the basis of visitor memories that are critical to the growth of tourism in Ireland.

General Manager Jamie Murphy wants to play his part in attracting visitors to Clonakilty to experience Irish history for themselves.

Worthy winners of Best Tourist Attraction for 2018, Michael Collins House gives a comprehensive and educational history of Clonakilty’s (and some say Ireland’s) favourite son. The story of Michael Collins unfolds here as does the story of Ireland for all who visit, regardless of age, level of interest or prior knowledge of the subject.

The museum aims to be fully inclusive and is part of an AsIAm autism charity initiative which will make the town of the Clonakilty the first Autism friendly town in Ireland and will also make Michael Collins House the first Autism friendly museum in Ireland. In the same vein the museum is about to embark on their second annual Student Curator project - a project carried out with

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View from Corlea Bog Amenity Walk

Longford, located in Ireland’s hidden heartlands, an excellent central base for travelling around Ireland or for regional conferences. Longford is very accessible as it is served by a national train and bus service and is at the key axis point of Irelands N4 and N5 national primary routes.

Visit the wonderfully restored St. Mel’s Cathedral which was extensively damaged in the Christmas Day fire of 2009 and reopened for services at midnight mass on Christmas Eve 2014. It has since become a significant tourist attraction. Enjoy being active in nature by cycling, walking and canoeing along the blue ways, greenways and Slí na Sláinte walks?

The Royal Canal 144Km greenway connects Dublin’s Spencer Dock with Richmond Harbour in Co Longford and is the longest such greenway destination in the country.

This is an off the road walking and cycling track located along the banks of the Royal Canal connecting the capital with the midlands passing through Counties Dublin, Kildare, Meath, West Meath and Longford.

Summer 2019 will see the opening of Center Parcs Longford Forest. It is currently under construction in Newcastle Woods, Ballymahon, County Longford. This high standard accommodation will provide luxury short breaks and is perfect for family and friends in the beautiful secluded setting of Newcastle woods.

County Longford is rich in biodiversity with woodland and bog walks and offers the visitor an unique visitor experience in slow tourism. Visit Longford and discover the hidden gems on offer in the heart of the hidden heartlands.

Contact details: Phone: 043 3342577

www.visitlongford.ie /Longfordtourism

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Promotion of Regional Tourism

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County Longford Tourism Committee has refocused attention and energy on the potential for the tourism sector to be the key economic driver for County Longford. It has been the catalyst for the development of a number of key tourism infrastructure projects such as the Royal Canal Greenway and complimentary waking and cycling trails. It delivers a series of actions to support its marketing strategy to include maintenance of a new website www.visitlongford.ie, an active social media campaign, and new promotional materials to include maps and brochures designed to inform and educate visitors on the wide variety of tourism experiences available in County Longford.

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Longford County Council

County Longford offers something extraordinary for every kind of visitor, unique history and heritage, natural scenic beauty, the longest greenway in Ireland and even a subtropical paradise at Center Parcs.

Longford Tourism Committee is the representative body of all tourism interests within County Longford. The current strategy, 2017 – 2022, sets out the overall vision for tourism in County Longford and the aim is to grow a thriving tourism sector in a coordinated and cohesive manner. The committee recognises the contributory role County Longford has to play in facilitating and supporting planned regional and national tourism development and the value of being part of a collective branding such as Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.

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FIVE STAR NATURAL

Promotion of Regional Tourism Public Sector Award

Longford is a county rich in history and culture with stories of Maria Edgeworth, Michael Collins, Oscar Wilde, Corlea Trackway, Ardagh Heritage Town and the Battle of Ballinamuck.

It is also home to the wonderfully restored St. Mel’s Cathedral which was extensively damaged in the Christmas Day fire of 2009 and reopened for services at midnight mass on Christmas Eve 2014. It has since become a significant tourist attraction.

The 144km Royal Canal greenway connects Dublin’s Spencer Dock with Richmond Harbour in Co. Longford and is the longest greenway in the country. It is an almost entirely off-road path running alongside the banks of the canal and will be a key artery in delivering visitors to County Longford.

One of the most keenly anticipated events, summer 2019 will see the opening of Center Parcs in Longford Forest, Ballymahon.

This is the largest construction project ever undertaken in Ireland, valued at j230m. The resort will have 440 lodges dotted around a subtropical swimming paradise and offers 5 star short stay breaks in a beautiful woodland setting.

County Longford Tourism Committee operates a Tourist Information Office in Longford Town. As well as acting as a promoter of all local festivals and events, County Longford Tourism Committee also facilitates the delivery of training to tourism providers and has sought to increase the investment in tourism locally by accessing funds from different funding sources. The tourism committee is a key strategic partner for Longford County Council which is also very active in working with community and specific interest groups on initiatives and events designed to build tourism products and services.

“We believe that County Longford has enormous potential as a visitor destination,” says Cllr. Micheál Carrigy, Chairperson, Longford Tourism Committee. “The opening of Center Parcs in 2019 will result in thousands of people visiting the county and the potential for spin-off business is enormous.” He also believes The Hidden Heartlands brand will help to highlight the scenic and diverse landscape of Longford offering visitors an authentic experience, experiencing Ireland in its most natural state. “There are some excellent visitor attractions and accommodation options across the county,” adds Cllr Carrigy, “offering visitors a chance to explore local history and heritage, also visitors can experience the great outdoors with particular focus on the network of natural waterways including the Royal Canal, River Shannon and Lough Ree”.

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OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Event Management & Accommodation

For many reasons, both business and pleasure, The Gleneagle is no stranger to the public sector. “We have over sixty years’ experience working with Public Sector,” notes John Dolan, General Manager.

“In fact, one of the reasons our main auditorium (the INEC) was built, was in order to enable us to accommodate large-scale Public Sector conferences. As a result, we can now cater for up to 1,500 delegates in classroom style or up to 2,500 delegates in tiered theatre style. We also offer two large syndicate rooms of varying capacity as well as an additional 30 breakout spaces.”

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The Gleneagle Hotel offers a fantastic selection of room types as well as self-catering apartments. The hotel is also renowned for its event facilities and hosts over 300 Irish and international events each year. It is suitable for concerts, conferences, exhibitions and events of all shapes and sizes. For conferencing the main auditorium can cater for up to 1,500 delegates in classroom style or up to 2,500 delegates in tiered theatre style. While for concerts it can accommodate 2,500 people for fully seated shows and 4,100 people for concerts offering both seated and standing tickets.

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For over sixty years, the family-run Gleneagle Hotel has been one of Ireland’s best known and most loved hotels. A pioneer in the concept of the destination hotel, here visitors can experience 365 days of live entertainment, vast leisure facilities and a warmth of hospitality that is simply beyond compare.

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Gleneagle Hotel Excellence in Event Management - Leaders in Accommodation

renovation programme in their bedrooms and public areas. They also recently invested in audio-visual technology that can offer clients a suite of audio-visual bespoke packages tailored to their exact requirements. “We view ourselves as innovators and leaders in our field and so are constantly updating and improving our products,” explains Dolan.

According to Dolan, building relationships is key to the personal and dedicated approach taken by Gleneagle staff from the initial point of contact right through to smooth delivery of a hassle free and successful event. “Our goal is to make the job of the event booker straightforward and uncomplicated. We work tirelessly to ensure that promises are delivered and expectations exceeded. Feedback from past clients confirms that our steadfast work ethic instils confidence in the customer and sets a high benchmark for our competitors. Our success rate is reflected in our high percentage of repeat business.”

An award-winning inhouse events team is in place and a skilled inhouse technical team work in tandem to deliver exceptional events of all shapes and sizes. There are 244 hotel bedrooms and a further sixty self-catering apartments – each with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and living area – so availability and flexibility of accommodation is never an issue.

Dolan points out that when it comes to events, “the spectrum of expertise available to clients is vast and includes a technical team, graphic design team, security team, entertainment department and an award-winning events team.”

The hotel has welcomed numerous trade union and association conferences including most recently - the Communications Workers’ Union Conference (CWU), Fórsa’s Civil Service Division conference, The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation Conference (INTO), the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI) and the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO).

The extensive facilities are a significant attraction and include highspeed broadband, ample free parking, shuttle service, extensive leisure facilities, nightly live entertainment, child friendly facilities and a children’s activity programme during the school holidays. The hotel is also a member of the Fair Hotels initiative – Union Hotel Deals for Union Members.

The hotel recently carried out an extensive refurbishment and

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Gifts for all Occasions . Weddings . Gifts . Corporate

Galway Irish Crystal , Merlin Park, Dublin Road, Galway Tel: 091 757311 www.galwaycrystal.ie

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Crafted Irish Crystal

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Galway Crystal Excellence in Crafted Irish Crystal

The world’s best loved traditional Irish crystal expertly crafted and locally inspired, Galway Crystal is inspired by the beautiful surroundings of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic way as well as by its magical myths and legends.

Inspiration is in no short supply in the beautiful west of Ireland and Galway Crystal is steeped in the rich and diverse heritage of this unique hinterland. Irish craftsmanship at its best, Galway Irish Crystal can be found in some of the most prestigious homes in the world from Áras an Uachtaráin to the White House and the Vatican.

Operating for over 50 years the company takes great pride in being able to provide a wide range of products including giftware, stemware prestigious awards and lighting.

Galway Irish Crystal cater for all occasions from weddings to corporate events with products to suit all tastes and budgets.

“A large part of our business is our outstanding engraving service,” explains Marketing Director Hugh Quinn. “We provide a professional and unique service to our customers. Each engraved piece is carefully designed by our in-house graphic artist and engraved by our trained specialists.”

Engraving is custom designed to suit all customers’ needs. Galway Crystal provide a wide range of engraved service awards to state bodies around the country. They can incorporate any business logo or crest and provide artwork so that customers are 100% happy with product before it goes to engraving.

“Our inspiration comes from the sheer beauty of the surrounding countryside-Connemara, Galway bay and Lough Corrib,” explains Quinn. “Our beautiful ranges of tableware, stemware and giftware reflect these influences in their timeless elegance. As we live in such an interchangeable environment, we are continuously coming up with unique deigns to appeal to both traditional and contemporary tastes.”

With a customer base covering the entire globe, orders come in from near and far. However, no matter what your location, “you

don’t have to be in Galway to purchase one of our special pieces,” enthuses Quinn. “We provide a fully insured mail-order service that allows customers to purchase online or over the phone and have their Galway Crystal product sent conveniently to the front door.”

As Quinn rightly says, “Crystal always holds a close place in people’s hearts,” which is why Galway Crystal continue to thrive and prosper and are deserved winners of the Excellence in Crafted Irish Crystal Award.

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MODERN PERSIAN KITCHEN

-14/15 Parliament St, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 Tel: 01 677 3595 -44/45 Lr. Camden St, Dublin 2. Tel: 01 400 5006 info@zaytoon.ie | www.zaytoon.ie Delivery from 6pm - 12am Catering service tailored to your needs.

See zaytoon.ie for more details

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Customer Service, Catering Industry

Azad and Jamshid recognise the importance of community and as a community service, they offer free chips and drinks with every kebab to Gardai, firemen and taxi drivers. Their restaurants open daily from midday through to 5am, so for those that don’t just work 9-5, Zaytoon is the perfect port of call for a fantastic meal at any time of the day.

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A veritable food sensation, Zaytoon is a family run business in the heart of Dublin offering outstanding Persian food at exceptional prices. “We opened our doors in Parliament Street in 2001 and our second branch opened a few years later in Camden Street,” explains co-owner Azad Shirazi. “We had a pretty unique mission in mind, to return the much-maligned kebab back to the delicious meal it is across the Middle East.” Dubliners he says had become accustomed to dodgy kebabs served from dodgier vans and takeaways, and partners Azad and Jamshid wanted the kebab to take its rightful place as an aromatic feast. Their vision was to make Zaytoon a welcoming and inexpensive eatery where people could visit any time of the day or night.

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Iranian cuisine is one of the most aromatic and delicious food options. Pivoting around the flavours of saffron, nigella seeds, cardamom and rosewater, the humble kebab is transported to new heights when infused with the flavours of Persia.

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Zaytoon Best Customer Services within the Catering Industry

Plans are in place to open three additional restaurants and Zaytoon can cater for parties, weddings or family gatherings. “We can go to someone’s house or other venue with our famous food. Not only do they get to choose from our menu, we can also discuss other food options not necessarily on our menu, to bring Persian cuisine to the heart of your event.”

Azad and Jamshid are open to any new ideas including the possibility of franchising, but only where quality and standards are maintained to their exacting standards.

Zaytoon are worthy winners of the Public Sector Magazine’s award for customer service and catering. With an ethos of respect for the customer, respect for fine ingredients and delivery of a quality product, this is a winning formula sure to continue.

Both restaurants are in the heart of the city surrounded by offices and passers-by from whom they have a thriving trade. Zaytoon is hugely popular for office staff at lunchtime who want a fresh, quick and tasty meal that will keep them going all day. “They know we serve only the best and freshest ingredients and that is why they keep coming back,” explains Jamshid.

Business is positively booming and deservedly so. All ingredients are top quality and everything is fresh-made on the premises. “We buy quality ingredients from reputable suppliers,” explains Azad. “Even our saffron is sourced from Iran to give it that authentic colour and flavour. We serve the best cuts of prime meat, no gristle or fat, offal or anything else, and all supplied from Irish farms.” Everything is hand-made, even their delicious breads baked in huge ovens right in front of your eyes. “We have no freezers,” Jamshid says – which he describes as “terrible flavour sucking machines.

“There are no colourings or preservatives in any of our food and we also serve vegetarian and vegan options with an allergen list in both restaurants so that customers can be sure of any dietary requirements.

“We serve our kebabs open, so you can see and smell the freshness of our food. The traditional way to eat kebabs is open. It is also the best way to appreciate the quality and freshness of the ingredients.

Our kitchens are at the front of our restaurants so all our customers can see their food been prepared and cooked right in front of them.

Yes, we do like to show off just a little!” enthuses Azad.

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An award winning and innovative company with a history of integrity, Stewart Construction understand clients evolving needs and will deliver its promise on each and every project.

Multi-Award Winning Main Contractor A Deloitte Gold Standard Best Managed Company

stewart.ie

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Construction firm of the Year

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Established in 1902, Stewart Construction is a leading national contractor delivering a wide range of technically advanced, quality building projects for both the public and private sectors

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Stewart Construction Construction Firm of the Year Award

The company has built up a strong track record over the last century with high specification projects delivered on time and on budget by client focused teams that are accessible, passionate and committed.

Having been in the building business in Ireland for almost 120 years, the company has a keen awareness of the importance of conserving our unique heritage. Rachael Stewart, Business Development Director explains “It is an area of the business which we find hugely rewarding and we have continued to strengthen over the years and we have worked on a number of protected buildings with Dúchas and An Taisce involvement.” The company was one of the first listed Heritage Contractors under the Heritage Registration Scheme.

Stewart Construction works extensively with the public sector delivering new builds, refurbishments and fit outs for government bodies such as the Office of Public Works, Departments of Education, NDFA, councils, local authorities and semi state bodies such as IDA and DAA. The company’s focus is on high specification development across all sectors and they are particularly recognised for their expertise in design and build delivery and sustainable construction.

Stewart Construction has delivered some of the first Breeam excellent and LEED Gold rated publicly procured buildings to include the multi award winning 6500m2 high-quality Roscommon County Council Headquarters built on an extremely restricted town centre site and greatly enhancing the civic identity of the town.

Stewart Construction is also well recognised for its exemplar delivery of school projects through the generations and completes a number of schools every year, many under department of education and schools (DoES) design and build framework, including gaelscoils in Galway and Mallow and Coláiste na Coiribe, in Galway, the country’s largest Gaelcholáiste.

Commenting on public sector projects Rachael Stewart, Business Development Director explains “The public sector has always formed a large portion of the company’s body of work. The opportunity to deliver high specification buildings in the public realm is something we hold in high regard.” As a fourth-generation

Irish family run company, Stewart Construction recognises the importance and need for increase in funding to help rebuild Ireland.

“Further development in particular in the area of residential and healthcare sectors, building housing for the homeless and suitable healthcare facilities for sick children and adults is key for Irish society, communities and future generations in Ireland. Becoming a contributor towards rebuilding Ireland and tackling these critical issues is very rewarding.”

Key Projects Stewart Construction continue to deliver for the dynamic semi state organisation that is IDA Ireland, having recently completed Block 5 of the IDA Business and Technology Campus at Parkmore in Galway, a well-established and successful campus for global brands in life sciences, software development, telecommunications and the games industry. In Dundalk, work has commenced on a new Irish Life Customer Service Centre located at the IDA’s Dundalk Business & Technology Park which sees Irish Life expand their footprint in Dundalk.

The company is currently working on a number of high-profile FDI projects across Ireland including Grifols International Logistics Centre extension to incorporate a Biopharmaceutical Process Facility.

Also recently completed is the extensive renovation and remodelling of the Goethe-Institut’s Irish Headquarters at 37 Merrion

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Square, Dublin and the construction of a new 1,100sq m (11,840.3sq ft) mews behind it. Designed by Henchion Reuter Architects, the project was commissioned by the German Foreign Office and managed by the German Federal Office for Building and Regional Planning (BBR), the German equivalent of the Office of Public Works (OPW).

A 2017 economic study by InterVISTAS cited Dublin Airport as being one of the most important economic assets to Ireland, supporting or facilitating 117,300 jobs and contributing j8.3 billion annually to the national economy. The Dublin Airport campus is home to more than 200 businesses, which together employ more than 19,000 people.

The magnificent Protected 1787 Georgian townhouse was completely refurbished to its period glory which included two stunningly decorated stucco ceilings, with gold leaf and foliage in intricate detail. The new five-storey (two of which are underground) contemporary mews will host the institute’s language school and is linked to the original house both at ground and underground level. The project represents a considerable investment by the German state, benefiting conservation of Georgian Dublin.

With the new DAC buildings set to achieve LEED Gold status with an A3 Building Energy Rating [BER], the new Business Hub will appeal to both national and international high calibre sustainability conscious tenants enhancing Ireland’s efforts to promote the concept of ‘green growth’ and a ‘green economy’.

A recent contract awarded to Stewart Construction is as main contractor for the historic Central Bank HQ site.

Designed and built in the 1970s, the building’s iconic exterior will remain largely preserved with the addition of a new grand staircase entrance and an enhanced, open plaza space for the public to enjoy. Works include the upgrading and refurbishments of the main tower’s existing office floors over 7 storeys, which are to be fitted out with elegant and high-end finishes. Additionally, the top-most level of the Central Plaza Tower will be a two-storey, glassroofed structure which will house a restaurant, hospitality, and viewing areas where visitors will have breath-taking views of Dublin’s city scape.

This is the second project Stewart Construction has undertaken in conjunction with Hines, a major player in global real estate investment. Stewart Construction is also nearing completion on the design and build contract for Hines prestigious Bishop’s Square office development on Kevin Street. This sees an existing Dublin city centre building go higher with a substantial extension to the 5-storey existing office block by expanding the existing floorplates of the top two floors and adding an additional 6th floor. This ‘live site’ office expansion will see an additional 5154m2 to the 5-storey existing office block. Renovations and high-spec fit-outs will also take place at reception and lobby areas.

The project also includes for sections of Cat A & Cat B fit outs and revisions to mechanical & electrical installations.

Construction is well underway on the development of Ireland’s next generation business hub at Dublin Airport Central, the major new development at the heart of the Dublin Airport campus. Phase 1 incorporates two buildings known as - TWO Dublin Airport Central and THREE Dublin Airport Central. Stewart Construction undertook this project in a design and build capacity and when completed it will provide 20000m2 office space. In addition, its large landscaped urban realm will provide natural outdoor meeting spaces, while giving a sense of place in the middle of a busy international business hub.

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Located only 1km from Dublin Airport, Stewart Construction is delighted to be commencing work on the new Clonshaugh Hotel development. Works are being undertaken on a design and build basis. Plans for the 4-star hotel include meeting and conference rooms, a fitness gym, restaurant, bar, coffee dock and buffet area, and 421 rooms all with high performance ICT for tech-dependant guests, business people and conferences. It will be fitted out with inviting, comfortable internal finishes and a contemporary style. This 10-storey, 421-bedroom hotel will provide much-needed accommodation to tourists, business people and other overnighters in a modern and high-end setting.

One of Stewart Construction’s current projects addressing the student accommodation crisis in Dublin city is Carman’s Hall. Located to the west of the city centre, the project consists of three residential buildings of between three and six storeys, with 207 high-specification en-suite beds arranged in cluster apartments of between five to eight bedrooms. The development will also feature significant dedicated communal areas including a common room, gym, study room, bicycle storage, a public coffee shop at ground level and a private outdoor landscaped courtyard.

This development is a short walk away from Trinity College Dublin and the Royal College of Surgeons’ campus with the University College Dublin and Dublin City University being easily accessible by public transport.

Project Ireland Looking to the future Ms Stewart concludes: “As our economy continues to grow strongly and with the scale of our housing crisis becoming increasingly evident, we need both civil and social infrastructure to support this growth.

It is essential that a long-term masterplan be put in place now and that these facilities are planned and prioritised in order to support our quality of life, our communities, and to safeguard our future. Project Ireland 2040’s ‘National Planning Framework’ sets out to address these issues and to ensure Ireland’s long term economic, environmental and social progress for all parts of our country. Time will tell if this plan proves successful. Let’s hope it is. Our future depends on it.”

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Best Healthcare Services Provider

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A SOURCE OF STRENGTH

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Servisource Best Healthcare Services Provider

Servisource is a multidisciplinary healthcare services business and a leader in delivering staffing solutions in both the public and private sectors. As such they are an invaluable resource in helping the HSE tackle the waiting list challenge.

The business is divided into two divisions, Servisource Recruitment and Servisource Healthcare, specialising in healthcare managed services. Founded in 2000, Servisource is one of the largest recruitment companies in Ireland and is part of the CPL Group.

Servisource is a national leader in the provision of healthcare services in Ireland enabling continuity of care during peaks in demand by supplying fast, flexible and reliable staff at short notice. Servisource provides cost effective solutions which help longstanding clients manage budgets, reduce workloads, maintain staffing levels and deliver premium patient care.

The Servisource portfolio includes: domiciliary & complex homecare provision, training, managed services, education support, allied admissions and occupational health screening.

Servisource is an approved supplier of staffing solutions to several public-sector clients including the HSE, Solas and Poball. In 2017, they ran the largest recruitment campaign in the state when on behalf of the public service, Servisource went out to the market and collected 35,000 applicants for various clerical and administration posts. The process was managed electronically to the highest standard of Data Protection and the screening process that followed delivered candidates of the highest calibre and appropriate skill set to our client.

“Servisource are committed to providing customers with the highest quality service,” explains CEO Declan Murphy. “We have a thriving homecare business – Myhomecare.ie and we provide training and occupational health screening. Our Allied Admissions team provides a much valued and important service, safely transferring patients to psychiatric facilities nationwide.

Servisource ESW is the largest provider of education support workers in Ireland, assisting 3rd level students with disabilities equal access to their chosen course of study.”

Public Sector Partnership Servisource believes that partnering with the public service is key to successful delivery of quality services in Ireland. “We intend to achieve this by providing excellent support and focusing on continuing to improve our service,” explains Murphy. “Servisource prides itself on the close relationship it has established with the public sector over the past 18 years. In a fast-moving environment, public services rely on contingent staffing and tailored services to respond to the needs of the population.”

According to Murphy, Servisource Managed Services is helping the HSE tackle the waiting list challenge by operating a variety

of medical services across the country including transitional care units, day-care facilities, clinical processes and other custom-made services on an insourced or outsourced basis. With over 110 beds currently under management in a variety of care facilities across the country, and having provided almost 1 million hours of care in the past 12 months, the Managed Services Division, which traditionally would have focused on providing nurses and HCA’s to the Healthcare Sector has recently shifted its focus of attention, with the objective of assisting the HSE in tackling the challenge of ever-increasing waiting lists. “Our role is to be there when they need us in the areas of healthcare, administration, training and outsourced services,” says Murphy.

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Support at every stage along the pathway from birth to end of life

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Perfect Portals Always looking to improve on their services, Servisource can boast two excellent developments.

Recruit island ‘an island of career opportunities’ was launched in September 2017. Recruit island is a unique job board which offers the client and the candidate an opportunity to meet and learn more about each other. The aim for Recruit island is that it will become the ‘go to’ portal for candidates and clients to source the best opportunities.

Myhomecare has launched ground-breaking new initiatives recently, including: VIZIER – an intra EU project which will use the internet of things (IoT) to facilitate social companionship for older people living at home. It aims to provide a common user-friendly platform where service users gain easy access to information and services in a nonintimidating and secure manner.

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Customer support is key and to this end CEO Declan Murphy says that Servisource provide support at every stage of the care pathway from birth through pre and postnatal care to end of life. “We will continue to improve and provide the best services we can to the healthcare industry and public sector.

“We will continue to work with the public sector to deliver world class services in staffing and solutions. We will continue to develop new solutions in partnership with the public service to assist them to achieve their vision for a better Ireland.

“Servisource is where it is today because of belief – belief in its core mission to provide world class care staff and truly help our clients provide better service. We are so proud of our team who work tirelessly to provide the right person for the right job. It’s because of all the Servisource team working together.”

servisource.ie

1800 603 604

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Transportation

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Optimum Chauffeur Drive Transport Customer Service

Optimum Chauffeur Drive was founded in early 2004 and provides unrivalled chauffeur and executive car services to clients in Ireland and worldwide.

The company provides a fully comprehensive range of transport solutions at home and abroad via a long-established affiliate network. With an experienced reservations team on hand 24 hours a day 7 days a week, whether it be for business or pleasure, “our extensive range of Limo and executive cars will make sure your chauffeur experience is second to none,” says Mary McGrath, Company Director.

The company can provide transport for state visits, EU ministerial meetings, conferences, board meetings, roadshows, sightseeing tours and airport transfers.

Ms McGrath says that Optimum Chauffeur Drive has always worked with the Public Sector since the foundation of the company in 2004. “We have steadily grown our client base within this sector and we would like to continue to do so. We listen to our client’s needs and requirements and we aim to achieve the best possible

level of customer care by being both sensitive and responsive to the needs of our clients at all times.”

With a strong focus on customer service, the company are currently looking to expand their workforce within the reservations and meetings and events teams. They are also looking at ways to embrace the latest technology and are looking to roll out a client online booking app which is a work in progress.

McGrath puts the continued success of her company down to one vital ingredient – quality. “We guarantee the best quality service by working with the highest standard of chauffeurs and vehicles available and in so doing, we deliver a consistently high and reliable service. We operate on a 24 hour a day basis, 365 days a year. We are contactable on our main reservations phone line and by email at any time, day or night.”

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Parking with Benefits

Earn cashback from your parking and retailer spend with the Q-Park Rewards app!

Download from your App Store

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Parking Services, Public & Private Sector

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Q-Park Excellence in Parking Services, Public & Private Sector

Q-Park Ireland is a leading parking operator based across the country in all major city centres and known for its high-quality parking facilities.

If you want quality parking facilities, Q-Park is the name to look out for. Quality is the key at Q-Park and the overriding factor when meeting customer needs and requirements. Quality is also what motivates the company as a professional and innovative business partner for both public and private clients.

Howard extols the virtues of his staff throughout Ireland saying that the commitment of employees in Ireland has positioned Q-Park as industry leaders and to be recognised by the Public Sector Magazine for this award is a great acknowledgement of the continued work and dedication of all the team.

In Q-Park’s view, parking is not an end in itself, but part of the total mobility chain. In Ireland parking in urban areas is vitally important for making an effective and efficient transition from car to destination. Being able to find a place to park easily and quickly preferably linked to alternative modes of transport substantially contributes to mobility in urban area.

The Q-Park organisation is prepared to take calculated risks and has the financial clout to do so, whether that means building a new car park or refurbishing an old one. “Our solid financial basis provides strong foundations for successful long-term partnerships.

Q-Park facilities are distinctive in having a highly recognisable and consistent house style.

“One aspect of our corporate social responsibility policy is to enable access to essential urban functions and to work with local authorities towards creating sustainable mobility,” explains Mark Howard, Country Director. “We demonstrate that effective paid and regulated parking makes an economic contribution to cities and society, and that a positive parking experience contributes to how people enjoy their visit, journey, shopping or commute.

Q-Park provides parking services in a clean, safe and user-friendly environment, with a great deal of comfort, convenience and where it is easy to pay. Smart deployment of ICT applications and reliable integrated parking management systems have elevated Q-Park to the forefront within the parking sector across Ireland. Q-Park offers customers extra products and services, from Premier cards, top up cards and even the facility to pay using your Easytrip tag. Cashless payments enable motorists to access and exit car parks using their credit/debit card also. These added services further enhance the customer experience and the convenience of using Q-Park car parks.

“We support the use of more sustainable passenger cars by providing charging stations for electric and hybrid cars at many of our parking facilities. We offer reserved parking spaces for customers participating in these initiatives. In doing this, we offer motorists plenty of choice and help ensure the smooth flow of traffic.”

Closing he said: “It is with great pleasure that I accept this award on behalf of Q-Park Ireland for Excellence in Business provision of parking services to the public and private sector. Q-Park is an independent internationally renowned parking company with strong market positions in many European countries. We fulfil the need for quality parking solutions at strategic locations with a strong blue print presence in Ireland as the market leader operating in key cities and locations across the country since 2002.”

Q-Park has an online presence which also afford customers the facility to pre-book guaranteeing parking for key events, linked with location proximity to key landmarks. “We do this because for many visitors, car parks constitute the ‘front door’ to towns and cities and as such they create the first and last impressions,” Howard says.

“We have a centralised Control Room that complements and supports customer service provided through other channels and is also used for quality control. The control room is therefore a key instrument to our commitment to operational quality.

“Our facilities are maintained to the highest standard which is not always easy with the current social challenges faced within our major cities, however here in Ireland there are clear guidelines of expectation with the team and all colleagues are trained to meet and deliver the required standards both from the appearance of the facility to our customer service expectations.”

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Commute with us!

Wexford > Enniscorthy > Gorey > Dublin City & Airport 740A Arklow > Wicklow > Dublin City & Airport 340 Wexford > New Ross > Waterford 376 Wexford > Enniscorthy > Carlow 740

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More Routes, More Connections With a choice of bus services between Wexford and Dublin City & Airport, Arklow and Dublin City & Airport, Wexford and Waterford and Wexford and Carlow - we’ve got your transport covered.

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wexfordbus.com for route details and times.

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Transportation

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Wexford Bus Business Development Transport Award

Wexford Bus is a growing commercial bus company operating a wide range of licensed public bus services and private hire services. The company carried in excess of 750,000 passengers last year and continues to enjoy year on year growth in passenger numbers with last year recording an impressive increase of 27%.

The company is best known for their network of express coach services between Wexford and Dublin City & Dublin Airport, Wicklow and Dublin City & Airport, Wexford and Waterford City and Wexford and Carlow. With a very distinctive livery, the blue, white and orange coaches can be seen making their way along the main transport corridors of the south and east of the country as well as through the busy streets of Dublin City. In addition, Wexford Bus operates very busy urban and rural services in the local Wexford area.

To service the needs of the growing number of commuters and occasional bus users, additional scheduled services have been added each year with Wexford Bus now operating the greatest frequency and number of services on all of the routes that they are licensed to serve. Services along the M11 corridor from Dublin to the Southeast serve the population in County Wexford and Wicklow with departures from Wexford, Enniscorthy, Ferns, Camolin and Gorey, Arklow and Wicklow to Dublin.

“Wexford Bus offers a very compelling alternative to taking the car, we offer the shortest journey time by public transport on this route, have a great range of value tickets to choose from and with online booking facilities and a high frequency of services we make planning a bus journey as easy as possible,” explains Brendan Crowley, Managing Director.

and also to provide direct links to tourist attractions on the periphery of the principle town. A key objective has always been to support local development by providing connectivity in the form of efficient and affordable public transport.

Wexford Bus continually monitors the movements of passengers across all routes and maintains good communication channels with a strong focus on customer feedback. This ensures that the company makes informed strategic decisions regarding future service developments and guides plans for growth.

Through an investment of j1 million, Wexford Bus is continuing the pattern of growth having introduced a new route to Dublin City & Airport for the people of County Wicklow since June this year.

“Since starting the business, we’ve always put customers at the forefront of what we do and continually look at ways to improve the customer experience. We’ve introduced a number of innovative facilities to assist our customers such as an online seat reservation system for our daily commuters and a live bus tracker so intending passengers can see how close the next bus is.”

Wexford Bus is a fine example of a successful, customer focused service and worthy winners of this year’s Public Sector Magazine, Excellence in Business Awards for Transportation.

The public sector is important to Wexford Bus and the service is hugely relevant for those that commute to work who can avail of the Tax Saver Scheme with Wexford Bus. This enables workers to commute to/from Dublin or Waterford with Wexford Bus and Save up to 52%. Wexford Bus also works with the Department of Social Protection and accept Free Travel Passes on all of its services. In addition, Wexford Bus operate public bus services to many of the hospitals and clinics in the Southeast.

Safety and reliability are paramount and Mr Crowley says that with Wexford Bus the public sector will be choosing a travel partner who put excellent customer service and safety are at the core of their offering. “Wexford Bus offers customers complete peace of mind; all of the buses and coaches go through a very thorough preventative maintenance programme resulting in a Road Safety Authority CVRT Roadworthiness rating of 97%.” Wexford Bus commitment to safety has also been acknowledged in the industry as the company won Best Safety Practice Award 2018 at Fleet Bus & Coach Awards.

Investment in the Future Through a remodeling of the local bus network, Wexford Bus continues to expand the reach of services to cater for urban sprawl

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OFFICIAL CAR PARTNER OF DUBLIN GAA

CONTACT US TO FIND OUT MORE

Neary's Lusk Station Road, Lusk, Co. Dublin.

Telephone: 01-8437100 www.nearyslusk.ie Models shown are for illustration purposes only. * All models marketed by Subaru Ireland come with the reassurance of a five year or 160,000 kilometres warranty, plus twelve year anti-corrosion cover and three year paintwork warranty. This is in addition to three year's membership of Subaru Assist - a comprehensive home and roadside repair and recovery package. www.subaru.ie

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in GAA Support

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Nearys Lusk Excellence in GAA Support

Nearys Lusk, the prominent North Dublin motor dealership is now well into its second year as the “Home of the Official Car Partner of Dublin GAA” and has partnered the association through the most successful and exciting phase in its history.

Nearys Lusk, a main Subaru and Mitsubishi dealer situated in Lusk, North Co. Dublin is a family run business with a background in the motor industry for over 30 years. The majority of the company’s 20 employees are from the Rush and Lusk area and it provides a significant source of local employment.

Leo Neary, Managing Director, is very proud to receive this Public Sector Award, for Nearys Lusk’s contribution to the Dublin GAA. “We believe that customer satisfaction is achieved by providing a quality service to suit each customer’s individual needs,” he says.

“Our professional and experienced staff deliver that quality service.

Over the years, we have continually re-invested in our business to upgrade premises and to train our staff for the rapidly changing business environment. As a result, we have a modern userfriendly premises and a young, professional, highly motivated and experienced team.”

In addition to vehicle sales, Nearys Lusk also provides a full suite of after sales and after care services.

Working in conjunction with Subaru Ireland, Nearys Lusk provide a pool of vehicles to the Dublin GAA County Board for usage by the Dublin Senior Football, Hurling and Ladies Football Team. The models being provided are from across the range, including Impreza, XV Crossover, Forester, Forester Commercial and Outback. All teams benefit from the commercial vehicles provided to transport their kit around the country as they compete in All Ireland and National League Campaigns.

from this sponsorship through pitch hoardings and sponsoring jerseys for the players and sponsoring key events throughout the year are Parnell Park, Round Towers Lusk, St. Maur’s Rush, Skerries Harps, O’Dwyers Balbriggan, Innisfails GAA and Ros/Lusca.

Leo is particularly proud of the strong bonds which the company has established with the local community. “We maintain a strong connection with the local community and throughout the years we have seen different family generations coming through our door to purchase cars,” he says. “Grandparents who have dealt with us for years and their sons, daughters and grandchildren coming to Nearys Lusk. We believe that what is put into the community comes back to you. Providing a service that is reliable and friendly is what we are all about. We have come through tough times when the economy was suffering but to us it proves that we have something special that works.

“We look forward to our 3rd year of being the “Home of the Official Car Partner of Dublin GAA” as the Dublin Ladies Footballers prepare for THREE IN A ROW and the Dublin Footballers prepare for an unprecedented FIVE IN A ROW – a feat that no other football team has achieved.

“Up the Dubs”.

Nearys Lusk believe that sponsoring clubs in our community is a key element in ensuring that these clubs meet their goals and targets enabling them to grow and develop and build strong relationships in the community.

“Sponsoring local clubs helps fund the maintenance and development of the Club facilities and grounds, coaching, training and developing young players and the proper resourcing of adult teams,” says Leo, “It assists the selfless commitment of so many volunteers who devote their time, talents and energy in serving our community.”

Among the clubs which have benefited

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FASHION ALWAYS WINS! Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Centre 9.30am 9.30am 9.30am 9.30am 9.30am 9.30am 12pm -

- 6pm - 6pm - 6pm - 9pm - 9pm - 6pm 6pm

Dunnes Stores 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 9pm 9am - 9pm 9am - 7pm 12pm - 6pm

ScotchHall HallShopping ShoppingCentre, Centre,Marsh MarshRoad, Road,Drogheda, Drogheda,Co. Co.Louth.

Louth.TTel: Tel:041 041984 984 3319 Scotch 3319

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Retail Management

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Scotch Hall Shopping Centre Retail Management Award

Scotch Hall in the heart of Drogheda and just 25 miles north of Dublin, offers a world of choice for shopping with a selection of over 50 great shops and restaurants.

This impressive waterfront development, which has revitalised the retail offering in Drogheda, provides a relaxed, fun, shopping experience in an idyllic setting.

Trading since 2005, Scotch Hall has transformed the shopping experience in the North East bringing a huge increase in footfall to the town over the years. Providing employment for over 400 full and part time staff, the centre has a 900-capacity car park which serves the town and offers convenient parking for those wishing to visit the centre and town alike. And in such an idyllic location spanning the river Boyne, the De Lacey footbridge links the centre to the very heart of Drogheda.

As Ireland’s largest town, Drogheda has over 41,000 people living in the immediate area. “We also have a wide customer base spanning into Dublin, Meath and Monaghan, while the wider community in Louth gives the centre an expansive catchment,” explains Centre Manager, Peter Dolan. “We have numerous public sector offices in the area for which we provide premium shopping and parking facilities. We also have a fabulous food offering in a wonderful setting. In addition, the D Hotel is right next to us for an overnight stay or a romantic meal for two.”

As a satellite town on the M1 corridor with excellent public

transport, there are many public sector services in the town as well as the nearby Lourdes Hospital. All of this makes the centre a real hub of the community keeping services updated and expanding their offering is always to the forefront for the management team.

“We have recently launched a fabulous new food court as well as new parent and baby rooms,” explains Dolan. “We strive to deliver the personal touch for a local shopping centre in an Irish town. We support numerous local charities, clubs and initiatives in order keep Scotch Hall at the grass roots of the community. We are constantly planning for the future with new and exciting initiatives.”

Dolan is delighted to receive this award and that the centre has been recognised for its customer focussed approach. “My message is always simple,” he says. “I encourage customers to support our local town and shops and in doing so, creating and sustaining local employment, for families and students alike.”

It’s all about community he says, and as example of the perfect community hub, Scotch Hall seems to have it all.

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HAVE YOU GOT

BIG IDEAS? We provide Small Loans for Small Businesses with Big Ideas.

Visit www.microfinanceireland.ie today or talk to your Local Enterprise Office

HAVE YOU GOT

BIG IDEAS? We provide Small Loans for Small Businesses with Big Ideas.

Visit www.microfinanceireland.ie today or talk to your Local Enterprise Office

MICROFINANCE IRELAND (MFI) BENEFITS FROM A GUARANTEE FUNDED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION UNDER THE PROGRAMME FOR EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL INNOVATION (EASI).

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Outstanding Financial Support to Small & Start-up Companies

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Microfinance Ireland, providing unsecured loans to start ups and existing micro enterprises wins this year’s award for their outstanding financial support to small and start-up companies throughout Ireland.

Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Microfinance Ireland Microfinance Ireland Outstanding Financial Support to Start-Up Companies Smaller Outstanding Financialand Support to Companies Throughout Start-Up Companies and Ireland Smaller Companies Throughout Ireland

Microfinance Ireland (MFI) was set up by the government under the Action Plan for Jobs, to provide loan finance to small businesses which were experiencing difficulty in securing funding from traditional sources. MFI provides business loans from j2,000 to j25,000 to start-ups and existing businesses to be used for set up costs, working capital or business expansion and to support the creation and retention of jobs.

Code of Good Practice for Microfinance providers. “This is a very important award for EU providers of microfinance and we are delighted to have been one of the first 4 organisations in Europe to have achieved this award,” says Stokes. “For our customers, this award gives them the assurance that we are a well-managed organisation and are fully compliant in all aspects of our business ranging from customer services, pricing, lending practices and financial and compliance controls.”

As part of its loan packages, MFI also offers expert one-to-one mentoring to approved loan applicants through local enterprise offices, increasing the chances of small businesses achieving commercial success, and helping to sustain jobs in the longer term.

Secondly, during 2017 MFI reached over j22m in new lending to over 1,567 small businesses and supported the creation/ sustainment of over 3,500 jobs.

“Our primary purpose is to promote economic development and to increase employment and enterprise by providing loans to newly established and growing micro enterprises,” says Garrett Stokes, Chief Executive Officer of Microfinance Ireland.

MFI provides much needed financial support to small businesses in the form of business loans for a wide variety of purposes including working capital, stock and capital expenditure. “Businesses that have fewer than 10 employees, annual turnover of less than j2million and are creating/retaining a minimum of one full-time job are eligible to apply,” explains Stokes.

The small to medium enterprise (SME) sector in Ireland is the backbone of the Irish economy with 248,000 SMEs of which 91% are considered micro-enterprises and employing 49% of all those employed in the private sector.

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BACKING SMALL BUSINESS

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Last but by no means least, MFI signed a new guarantee from the European Investment Fund which enables them to provide an additional j30m in loans to micro-enterprises over the next five years. “This is a strong endorsement of the value of an organisation such as Microfinance Ireland in supporting small businesses that are finding it difficult to access finance through a commercial lending provider,” says Stokes.

All of these initiatives mean MFI is well positioned to continue to support viable proposals from micro-enterprises in the medium term and to support the creation and retention of jobs.

Microfinance Ireland can be a very effective solution for those businesses that are either just starting out or are scaling up but are having difficulties in accessing finance from commercial lending providers. “There are small businesses in every town and county in Ireland that have been supported by Microfinance Ireland,” explains Stokes, “We are happy to talk to any small business to see how we can help them start up, expand and succeed.”

“When Microfinance Ireland was established back in 2012, banks were not lending, and small businesses were finding it very hard to get muchneeded financial support,” Stokes says. “As the economy continues to strengthen, more and more people are trying to establish businesses and seeking finance.” He sees this as a positive sign, even though banks are lending again, there will also be a need for an organisation like Microfinance Ireland to meet the needs of small businesses that do not meet the standard bank lending criteria. “We continue to see a growing demand for Microfinance loans,” Stokes adds.

MFI’s proposition continues to be unique in the marketplace providing unsecured fixed rate finance for both early stage and established microenterprises, which is lent at an affordable rate, not priced for risk and is a necessary support to help economic growth and job creation across every county in Ireland.

MFI have recently achieved a number of key milestones which of which they are understandably proud. Firstly, MFI was awarded the European

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DUBLIN

N7

M5

Naas

Blessington

Kildare

Portlaoise

0

Destination in distance from key points

Bray

76 kilometres/48 miles from Dublin.

N9

16 kilometres/10 miles from Carlow town which is served by an inter city train service.

Wicklow

Baltinglass

1

Castledermot

Kilkenny

95 kilometres/59 miles from Waterford’s south east regional airport.

N8

Carlow

76 kilometres/48 miles from Rosslare, Ireland’s primary ferry port harbour located on the south east coast.

TULLOW N80

Arklow Bunclody

Gorey

Enniscorthy

New Ross

WATERFORD

Wexford Rosslare

An ideal location within an hour from Dublin

88 kilometres/55 miles from Dublin’s international rport, within 80 minutes drive by car or coach

A Jewel in the Crown of Conference & Event Venues

16 kilometres/10 miles from Carlow town which is erved by an inter city train service

· ·

Voted Best Conference & Hotel Venue 15 Professionally Appointed Conference & Banqueting Suites 95 kilometres/59 miles from · Capacities up to 800 Theatre Style Waterford's South East Regional Airport & 500 Banquet Style · Self Contained Exhibition Area · 143 Deluxe Bedrooms & Suites · 16 Lodges on the Resort for overflow capacity Tullow reflects an enduring historical culture with many items of · Tatler Spa of the Year & Extensive Leisure Club · Award Winning ChristytheO’Rathgall Connor antiquity including Stone Fort, Cloch a Phoill and designed 18 Hole Golf Course to be Site Areas for Outdoor Activities · Waiting Green Discovered · 500 Complimentary Car Parking Spaces

76 kilometres/48 miles from Rosslare, the primary ferry port harbour ong Ireland’s sunny south east coast

Contact Fionnuala Dillon to organise a site visit and receive complimentary Afternoon Tea for 2 at sales@mountwolseley.ie the Haroldstown Dolmen. Each a testament to this areas ancient past. There are also many beautiful gardens in and around Tullow, including the fabulous and romantic Altamont Gardens, see our Visitors Guide for further information.

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OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Event Management

HOSPITALITY HOTSPOT

Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Mount Wolseley Hotel Excellence in Event Management

Picking the right venue for a corporate event can be critical to its success. Location as they say is everything, and at Mount Wolseley Resort, everything is in place for every occasion.

A top-class resort strategically located off the M9 and within an HOTEL, SPA & COUNTRY CLUB hour’s drive of Dublin, Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort is the perfect combination of luxury, location and facilities for the leisure and corporate guest alike. From the grand staircase to the regal interiors and glistening Italian marble floors, this is a resort like no other.

Situated in the tranquil countryside of Tullow in County Carlow, Mount Wolseley Resort offers an idyllic escape in a central location.

Here no effort has been spared, offering guests an atmosphere of total comfort. Bedrooms and suites are large, airy and bright, and each room is decorated in an individual style with views over the rolling countryside. There is a sumptuous selection of dining options on offer. Fredericks award winning restaurant is beautifully appointed and serves imaginative cuisine in a stylish and intimate setting. The Aaron Lounge is the ideal place to savour a morning coffee, a light lunch, some pre-dinner cocktails, a relaxed dinner or to simply enjoy leisurely drinks while the signature Wolseley Afternoon Tea is ideal for afternoon meetings.

For some delightful down-time the award-winning Wolseley Spa offers the very best of Asian and European rituals including Swedish Massage, steam rooms, floatation therapy and hammam. Complete with the renowned Sabbia Med Indoor Beach light therapy experience (one of only 4 in the country), the spa is a treat for body and soul.

The resort has played host to some of Irelands leading performers, from Christy Moore, Keith Barry, Nathan Carter, Tommy Flemming and Phil Coulter to name but a few. An onsite team are available to work with promoters and organisers to showcase events, ensuring maximum exposure. For those travelling as a family Mount Wolseley offers an action packed Woolie Bear Kids Club over midterm and summer. Also on the grounds is an outdoor playground with zip wire, a teen zone, a soft play room and a family den.

Centrally located, beautifully appointed and superbly equipped, Mount Wolseley Estate is a country resort that ticks all boxes.

Host to an array of prestigious conferences and events, Mount Wolseley boasts an extensive conference and events facility. With 13 professionally appointed conference, meeting and dining suites, the flexible portfolio can cater for a wide range of configurations with a maximum capacity of 800 theatre style and 500 for private dining. The purpose built self-contained Conference & Events Centre offers a private entrance and extensive private reception area, ideal for pre-registration, breaks and drinks receptions. The facilities are also perfect for exhibitions with ample space and an ideal layout which ensures delegates pass through the exhibition area to ensure maximum exposure for exhibitors. Additionally, there are 500 complimentary parking spaces on site, which is a huge advantage when catering to the national conference market.

The extensive grounds surrounding the resort allows ample space for outdoor events. Working in tandem with Ireland’s leading team building companies, Mount Wolseley offers everything from the The balance between business and pleasure one larger competitive team building event to compliments smaller more intricate obstacle courses - there is ample choice of areas available to suit another perfectly at the Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa & Country all requirements.

Club. As well as for providing the ultimate comfort, facilities Ideal the corporate guest, a in round of golfleisure is a great way to spend time with co-workers while enjoying the magnificent Christy

and cuisine,O’Connor we offerdesigned extensive conference, business championship golfexhibition course. Likeand a fine wine, this lush parkland course has matured beautifully with age with rich

resources. surrounds, mature trees, lakes and playing surfaces unrivalled for consistency and quality. Home to the European Challenge Tour for three consecutive years, guests can walk in the footsteps of the world’s greatest golfers.

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SERVICE TO SURGERY

John Bannon Ltd has become a market leader in the Irish Medical industry. The companies’ competitive advantage lies in the management of its customer relationships. Through the years strong relationships have developed built on trust, impeccable customer service and communication.

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John Bannon Ltd 2 Lower Hatch Street Dublin 2

Phone: 01 678 9665 01 678 9766 Fax: 01 661 4953 Email: info@johnbannon.ie Web: www.johnbannon.ie www.johnbannonpharma.ie

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Medical & Surgery Supplies

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 John Bannon Ltd

Established in 1985 by John & Rita Bannon, JBL has become one of the leading companies supplying quality medical & surgical products to healthcare professionals in Ireland and the UK.

Excellence in Medical & Surgery Supplies within the Public Sector

The company’s competitive advantage lies in the management of its customer relationships. Throughout the years strong relationships have developed built on trust, impeccable customer service and communication, placing John Bannon Ltd in a strong position in relation to the introduction of new products and the development of its customer base.

in a strong position to grow the UK customer base and provide an excellent service and backup to customers in the UK and Northern Ireland.”

Bannon feels that building relationships is key to learning your customers’ needs. “As a key to any good relationship, communication is an essential way to build customer relationships. It is not enough to simply promote your business offering or an extensive product range, it is important to listen to customers, find out what they need, then find the solution to their problem.”

“A company is only as good as its people. The hard part is building the team that will embody your company culture and propel you forward.

With over 30 years of experience and some strong relationship building we have a great team in place and we look forward to a bright future for the company and for our customer base.”

Bannon feels that JBL is only as good as its people and he is confident that he has an excellent team in place to support his customers’ needs.

Second to a strong customer focus, quality client management is paramount to JBL. “Service quality and client focus needs to be an all-encompassing commitment that runs across all aspects of the business.”

Bannon says.

Specialisation he says is also important and by maintaining a policy of specialisation in specific areas of surgery, JBL has nurtured certain niche markets such as ophthalmology, cardio-thoracic, orthopaedics, ENT, neuro, pharma and aesthetics, therefore focusing the company’s attention on making each product a market leader. This policy has proven to be successful and has driven growth steadily over the years.

JBL received its HPRA Wholesalers Authorisation in 2012 and this has assisted the company in growing the Pharma division both in Ireland and the UK. Looking to future growth and expansion Bannon says: “the UK is very important to us as it represents 50% of our business, therefore due to Brexit we have taken the decision to expand into the UK market opening offices in both Northern Ireland and the UK. This decision puts JBL

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PRIMO

Specialist Vehicle Conversions

Primo is a provider of quality vehicle conversions.

Primo repair, refurbish, maintain and convert a wide range of specialist vehicles. We have a dedicated team of experienced, multiskilled vehicle converter employees to ensure projects are finished on time and to the highest possible standards.

Primo products include: • Frontline Ambulances • Patient Transport (PTS) Vehicles • 4x4 Off Road Ambulances • Rapid Response Vehicles • Command and Control Vehicles • Commercial Vehicles

• Mobility Conversions/ Adaptions • Specialist Conversions • Buses • Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles • Taxi and Hackney Conversions • Crew Cab and Personnel Vehicles

For more information contact: Ferbane, Co. Offaly, Rep. Of Ireland.

Tel: +353 (0) 906 454368 www.primocoachworks.com

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Quality Vehicle Conversions

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Primo Coachworks

Primo Coachworks is a provider of quality vehicle conversions who design, build and type approve (if required) various specialist vehicles for the public sector and other clients.

Excellence in Quality Vehicle Conversions

Primo employs a dedicated team of highly skilled and experienced craftsmen, to ensure quality of the highest standard for the end product.

Primo is an Approved Vehicle Body Builder for the NSAI, and operate to BSI’s Quality Management System - ISO 9001:2015 ensuring a quality service from beginning to end. The company are the sole Irish Agent for Europe’s leading manufacturer of tipping bodies for commercial vehicles – Scattolini.

The company further provides drop-side bodies which they also install.

“We provide a range of conversion types to private and charitable organisations such as Irish Red Cross; Order of Malta; bus operators; taxi firms and ESB Networks, explains Managing Director, Ted Dunican. “We design, build and type approve (via NSAI) M1 & M2 Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles. Primo also design cost effective storage systems for work utility vehicles – which allows equipment and tools to be stored safely and securely.”

Primo Coachworks provide a wide range of vehicle conversions for the public sector including to the National Ambulance Service; An Garda Síochána; the Irish Coast Guard; Civil Defence; fire services and county councils. “Public sector vehicle conversions involve innovative design and expert auto-electrical knowledge,” explains Ted. “Many of these vehicles (e.g. rapid response vehicles) will require the most up-to-date and innovative solutions for the fitment of communications systems, light-bars, sirens, etc. Primo can provide the necessary know-how to design and implement cost effective services.”

There are many projects in the pipeline and public sector conversions are particularly important to Primo being a substantial source of revenue for the company. Some of the public sector projects

currently in build include: • National Ambulance Service – Hyundai i40 ambulance car fitouts • An Garda Síochána – various specialist vehicles and repairs to existing vehicles • Irish Coast Guard – Ford Transit Jumbo Command Unit/Crew Cabs • Cavan County Council – Welfare Units Refurbishment • Westmeath Fire Service – Various refits/ refurbs / repairs to existing fire service vehicles Ted and his team are delighted to accept this year’s Excellence in Vehicle Conversion award and they thank all of their customers for their continued support over the years “and we look forward to many more,” he says.

He invites interested parties to check out the Primo Coachworks Facebook page and website where you can find lots more information and imagery showcasing past projects. “Call us on 09064 54368(9) if you are interested in our products or services, and we will talk you through your options and provide a quotation if required.”

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The right

PARTNER

EMPOWERS your JOURNEY

We live in an era of unprecedented volatility creating both opportunities and new risks. Our Excellence in Healthcare and Risk Management Solutions help deliver insights that can help to reduce volatility and improve performance.

Visit aon.ie to find out more about how partnering with our dedicated Healthcare, Risk Management and Insurance team can help empower results for your organisation, or call 01 266 6000.

aon.com MacDonagh Boland Crotty MacRedmond Ltd t/a Aon is regulated by The Central Bank of Ireland

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Healthcare and Risk Management

According to Richard Endersen, CEO, Aon Ireland is driven to empower economic and human possibility for clients, colleagues and communities around the world and in Ireland colleagues work with a broad range of industries including healthcare, property, finance and technology.

Aon has an unrivalled expertise in providing professional services to the public sector in Ireland, including a wide range of public healthcare agencies across acute, specialist, rehabilitation, residential and disability services. They also work with a number of state agencies, semi-state bodies and government departments to provide risk, retirement and health solutions.

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Aon is a leading global professional services firm providing a broad range of risk, retirement and health solutions that are all underpinned by data and analytics. The company’s 50,000 colleagues operate across 120 countries and empower results for clients by using proprietary data and analytics to deliver insights that reduce volatility and improve performance.

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Aon, the global leader in insurance broking, retirement, health and data services delivers distinctive client value via innovative and effective risk management and workforce productivity solutions. In 2009, the company established a Global Centre of Excellence in Dublin, which drives key business initiatives central to Aon’s global corporate strategy

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 AON Excellence in Healthcare & Risk Management Solutions

“For Aon, accepting this award for ‘Excellence in Healthcare and Risk Management’ represents a momentous achievement. We are very proud of our unique capabilities in healthcare risk management and insurance broking and of our excellent collaborative relationships with our public sector clients. Aon brings the power of our united service offering across the firm globally to bear for each of our clients in Ireland and we look forward to continuing to develop those relationships in the future.”

Aon has been on a journey over the past three decades to become the leading professional services firm providing a broad range of risk, retirement and health solutions. “Our mission has remained unchanged—to empower human and economic possibility— through the power of Aon. Aon has a unique capability – our shared global knowledge. Over the coming months our teams worldwide will continue to unite and work together to leverage our shared resources for the benefit of our clients.”

Aon operate across five solution lines including commercial risk solutions, reinsurance solutions, retirement solutions, health solutions and data and analytic services.

“Having worked with public sector clients for many years and with some former public sector workers on our team, we have an up close and personal view of the essential and important contribution the public sector makes to our everyday lives,” says Endersen. “The public sector supports the crucial pillars of our economy, such as public healthcare, education and essential infrastructure and we are proud to play a role in the team that delivers these vital services.

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& CONFERENCE CENTRE

& CONFERENCE CENTRE

up to 650 Delegates 14 DeDicateD Meeting RooMs

FRee Wi-Fi & paRking 128 conteMpoRaRy BeDRooMs

coMpliMentaRy sHuttle coacH to & FRoM DuBlin aiRpoRt

& CONFERENCE CENTRE

Day Delegate Rate

24 HR Delegate Rate

1 COURSE LUNCH 3 TEA/COFFEE BREAKS ROOM HIRE EQUIPMENT

1 COURSE LUNCH & 2 COURSE DINNER 3 TEA/COFFEE BREAKS ROOM HIRE & EQUIPMENT BED & BREAKFAST

From €29.00 per person*

From €109.00 per person*

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Conference Facilities

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CityNorth Hotel is the ideal “M1 Meeting Hub” for the business guest with a large relaxing lobby situated on the ground floor with complimentary newspapers, Wi-Fi and car parking.

CityNorth Hotel offers a large variety of flexible meeting room options with 2 large-scale suites for up to 650 delegates plus 12 other meeting rooms, which include an Executive Boardroom and a number of syndicate breakout rooms. Most importantly, all meeting rooms have external windows giving lots of natural light.

The two large-scale hotel conference suites, Somerville I and II, combined, can cater for up to 650 delegates theatre style or 450 for a seated banquet. CityNorth Hotel offers 540 square metres of self-contained conferencing facilities.

These facilities can also be used individually and are complemented by fully integrated audio-visual equipment.

The Somerville Suites are completely self-contained and offer the convenience of a ground floor location within paces of the car park and drop off points. The suites area also includes additional dedicated facilities such as an adjoining room with informal seating, private bar, lounge and cloakroom.

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 CityNorth Hotel & Conference Centre

CityNorth Hotel & Conference Centre, Co. Meath is a contemporary four-star hotel that combines excellent facilities for conferences, meetings and events with a very accessible location.

For business travellers, it would be hard to find a more convenient location than the CityNorth Hotel, which is situated just off exit 7, on the M1 motorway, Dublin to Belfast route and only 30 minutes from Dublin City. In addition, the hotel offers a complimentary shuttle service to and from Dublin Airport.

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CITYNORTH HOTEL

Excellence in Business Best Conference Centre Award

In 2017, CityNorth Hotel invested in a Multi Million Euro refurbishment project, with the primary focus of creating a stunning and stylish upgrade of all dining and function areas. “The new lavish interior is exquisite and classical, enhancing the versatility of our event facilities,” says Catherine McGovern, Director of Sales. “We strive to offer guests an experience that they will remember, and the refurbishment shows our dedication to this experience. Our professional and experienced banqueting team contribute to the delivery of our excellent service and will offer a guiding hand from initial enquiry to the day of your meeting or event.”

On the day of your event the CityNorth experienced event coordinators are on hand at all times to assist delegates to ensure their meeting or event is a complete success.

“Our Public Sector customers have been extremely loyal to us for many years and we are particularly appreciative of this”, says Catherine. “Public sector meeting bookers always book well in advance and requirements are clear and concise which makes for the perfect working relationship which enables us to give the best competitive quotation at all times and this creates a great sense of loyalty.”

Catherine concludes, “Public Sector companies are central to our business and we aim to offer excellent corporate rates, state of the art conference facilities, convenient and accessible location and friendly customer service combined to ensure that when you travel for business you always feel at home with us.”

Whether it’s an early start or overnight accommodation, CityNorth Hotel delegates can avail of a choice of 128 stylish bedrooms which range from Deluxe Rooms to Executive and Junior Suites. All rooms are air conditioned, with controls inside the room. The delegate accommodation rate depends on event requirements and the CityNorth team are happy to put together a customised delegate package for all Public Sector guests.

There is also a variety of dining options available, from casual dining in the stylish Tara Lounge to fine dining in the modern, intimate and luxurious Mornington Restaurant where the a la carte menu choices are created

by CityNorth’s own Head Chef, only using the freshest ingredients which are sourced locally, complemented by fine wines and a selection of after-dinner drinks. Private dining is also available at CityNorth for a variety of group sizes.

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HOW GREEN ARE YOU?

With a Home Improvement Loan from your Civil Service Credit Union and grants available from SEAI you can start thinking about making substantial savings for a ‘greener’ home.

Great reasons to borrow from CSCU: • • • • •

Choose from weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments Flexible repayment options Competitive interest rates No Fees and No Penalties if you repay your loan early Loan Approval valid for 90 days

Repayment Options The amount you can borrow is based on your ability to make regular repayments.

We no longer require a set multiple of your shares.

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Best Financial Institute to Civil Service

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Civil Service Credit Union Best Financial Institute to the Civil Service

The Civil Service Credit Union is not a bank. At the Civil Service Credit Union you’re more than just a customer, you’re a member of a successful financial co-operative.

Established in 1992, Civil Service Credit Union (CSCU) has grown to be one of Ireland’s largest credit unions with over 18,000 members.

CSCU provide high quality financial services and low-cost loan products to staff working in the public service and their families in Ireland.

Membership of the Civil Service Credit Union is open to all permanent staff employed in government departments and bodies under their aegis and retired staff previously employed in such organisations.

“We operate as a Not for Profit with all surplus income generated by CSCU returned to our members by way of a dividend or directed to improve services required by our members,” says Ursula Nolan, CEO of the Civil Service Credit Union.

CSCU offers online accounts, competitive loan rates, payroll deduction, educational bursaries awards, monthly car draws, charity donations and much more. There are exciting times ahead: “CSCU is constantly working to improve services to members,” says Nolan, “and with this in mind we have been working towards introducing a Member Personal Current Account Service (MPCAS) which will offer overdrafts, electronic payments, mobile payments and most importantly a Debit Card. This important and exciting development will make our credit union an attractive and cheaper alternative to a high street bank.”

Nolan points out that CSCU have also continued to improve and expand their existing internet banking services with new services added so that members can enjoy the benefits with a fast and efficient method of lodgements, withdrawals, payment of bills etc, without having to resort to going in to the physical office.

repayments. We no longer require a set multiple of your shares,” she explains.

There are many great reasons to borrow from CSCU, including its range of competitive loan products, the benefit of loan protection insurance and the ability to pay off the loan conveniently through salary deduction. Many members avail of CUCU’s standard and secured loans, car, education, holiday and Christmas loans. However, CSCU are seeing strong growth in lending for home improvements helped by SEAI cash grants available for those interested in improving their home’s energy efficiency.

The cost of renovation can be reduced even further by getting a tax rebate from Revenue under the HRI (Home Renovation Incentive) scheme. The HRI scheme covers a wide range of work including extensions, attic conversions, kitchen upgrades and much more. Some homeowners may be eligible to avail of both schemes depending on the planned works. Taking these great savings into account when taking out a low-cost Home Improvement Loan from CSCU, there has never been a better time to improve your home.

Would you be interested in the Civil Service Credit Union making a personal visit to your Department or Office? CSCU is delighted to arrange an information stand in your office, canteen or meeting room to discuss membership and other CSCU services with both potential and existing members. If you are interested, please contact info@cscu.ie.

Regular saving is always a good idea, whether you’re saving for something specific in the future or just for a ‘rainy day’. Regular saving with a credit union can be an even better idea. At the credit union, you’re more than just a customer; you’re a member of a successful financial co-operative. Each share you hold in your credit union is equal to j1. And members enjoy equal rights to vote (one member, one vote) and participate in decisions affecting the credit union.

It is good to know that your savings are secure with the CSCU. Credit Unions in the Republic of Ireland are covered by the Deposit Protection Scheme which is administered by the Financial Regulator.

This is a scheme that can provide compensation to depositors if a credit institution is forced to go out of business. It covers deposits held with banks, building societies and credit unions. The maximum amount a credit union member can receive under this scheme is j100,000.

“CSCU offers loans that cover a whole range of things,” says Nolan, “the amount you can borrow is based on your ability to make regular

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THE RUTL AND CENTRE

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rutland PANTONE 220-1 CVS centre PANTONE 214-6 CVS

The people we help are typically in employment, self-employed or business owners. They are usually married or in relationships and living in a stable environment. So don’t let misconceptions about addiction stop you from seeking help if you need it.

At the Rutland Centre we offer a safe, confidential treatment service.

So if you, or someone you love, is living with addiction and needs help, call us today on (01) 494 6358 or email info@rutlandcentre.ie for more information.

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OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in provision of Health Services

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Rutland Centre Excellence in Provision of Health Services

Established in 1978, the Rutland Centre is a registered charity that has been providing independent addiction treatment services to people in Ireland for 40 years.

in the addictive behaviour across the days and weeks. Addicts can often begin to feel shame and guilt related to the activity but continue to indulge in the destructive behaviour regardless.

Approximately 400 people per year are now treated at the Rutland Centre in Knocklyon in Dublin for behavioural and substance addictions including: alcohol, drugs, gambling, sex and food. Alcohol is the leading addiction the centre treats with over 90% of those who attend the Rutland Centre receiving treatment for alcohol addiction.

Financial problems frequently arise as a result of excessive expenditure on their addiction and addicts can start to withdraw from relationships at work or with family or friends to engage in the activity and perhaps start to associate with new friends where the behaviour is acceptable.

Addicts will also attempt to hide the gambling, drinking or drug taking from colleagues, family or friends.

According to Chief Executive Maebh Mullany, the Rutland Centre’s addiction treatment and rehabilitation programmes are based on solid, scientific research and exacting patient follow-ups.

“For all addictions, including drugs and alcohol, the Rutland Centre’s treatment philosophy is based on abstinence,” she says. “Clients seeking treatment at the centre will need to have ceased using the substance or engaging in the addictive behaviour for approximately five days before being admitted to the centre for treatment.”

As part of its 40th anniversary, the Rutland Centre launched Recovery Month, an annual awareness campaign aimed at reinforcing the view that people with addictions can recover when receive the proper support and when they resolve to take the steps needed to get better. It is also stressing the importance of recognising the tell-tale signs of addiction in friends and family.

This year’s ‘Recovery Month’ campaign, entitled ‘Give Recovery a Voice,’ saw people from all walks of life sharing their experiences of addiction and recovery through the Rutland Centre’s website and on its social media channels.

“Our aim with Recovery Month is to help break the stigma associated with addiction by providing people most at risk with the support and confidence to live their lives in recovery,” says Mullany.

“These brave people shared their stories to give hope and guidance to the hundreds of thousands of families and communities throughout Ireland who are affected by addiction today.

“Christmas is one of the most difficult times for people in active addiction and recovery and we are now preparing to put structures in place so people in need have some support during this time.

Common Signs of addiction include a preoccupation with the addictive behaviour, thinking about it more often and finding more ways to engage

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This year, the Rutland Centre marks its 40th anniversary - a period which has seen over 10,000 patients treated for all kinds of addictions ranging from alcohol and drugs to food, sex, and gambling. Up to 80% of patients are seeking treatment for alcohol addiction and the centre has a formidable track record in helping addicts to transform their lives by providing the highest quality of research based treatment and aftercare.

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Mood swings, tension, stress, unhappiness and depression as well as an inability to stop the addictive behaviour despite best efforts are also patterns commonly associated with addiction. There are numerous indicators which may point to an addiction and Mullany says we need to be aware of these signals in people close to us.

“Addiction is a huge problem in organisations and communities throughout the country,” she says.

“Everybody will most likely have a colleague or a family member who is affected by addiction and the signs and symptoms can be similar for most addictions. It is important to be aware of these signs and to look out for them in colleagues, family members and friends.

“Addiction can and does affect all types of people, families and communities.

We need to challenge the perception that addiction only happens to someone else because that will actually prevent a person or their family asking for help.

“If we can open up the conversation about addiction, and let people know that there is no judgement and that recovery is possible, then it may help more people who are currently living in situations from which they see no escape.”

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COMREG REGULATES THE ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS (HOME PHONE AND MOBILE PHONE, BROADBAND, PREMIUM RATE SERVICES) AND POSTAL MARKETS If you are seeking advice or have a complaint that has not been adequately addressed by your communications or postal service provider, you can contact ComReg’s Consumer Care Team.

Our Consumer Care contact details are: Phone: (01) 804 9668 Email: consumerline@comreg.ie / businessconsumers@comreg.ie Online Form: www.comreg.ie/contact/ Web Chat SMS to receive a call back: Send a text with the word COMREG to 51500* SMS to receive a text back: Send a text with the word ASKCOMREG to 51500* Irish Sign Language facility available on request 8.00am to 8.00pm Mon. to Fri. and 9.00am to 1.00pm Sat. *Standard SMS rates apply

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Consumer Services

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 COMREG Consumer Services Award

In a rapidly evolving sector, ComReg fulfils a vitally important function as the statutory body responsible for regulating the electronic communications, premium rate and postal sectors. One of its missions is to ensure that communications services are operated to the benefit of consumers and society and it makes a herculean effort to inform and connect with consumers.

ComReg is the Commission for Communications Regulation and is responsible for regulating the electronic communications, premium rate and postal sectors.

“Our role is to ensure that communications markets operate effectively in the interests of end-users and society,” explains Therese Hourigan, Head of Retail Policy, ComReg. “Through effective and relevant regulation, we facilitate the development of a competitive communications sector in Ireland that attracts investment, encourages innovation and empowers consumers to choose and use communications services with confidence.

One of the ways in which we can assist in delivering our role and mission is by protecting and informing consumers.”

unknown premium rate service, e.g. 5XXXX, on your bill.

ComReg publish quarterly statistics based on issues raised by consumers who contact the Consumer Care Team. This assists consumers in understanding the kinds of issues being experienced and outlines the volumes of contacts to ComReg. The organisation also published a decision on new minimum requirements for service providers’ codes of practice for complaint handling which came into effect on 1 January 2018 to assist consumers (including businesses) in their dealings with service providers when they need to contact them with a complaint.

An important component of ComReg is the Consumer Care Team which provides information to assist consumers to deal with their communications (mobile phone, home phone, broadband, premium rate services) and postal service providers. The Team deal with consumers’ queries and complaints by phone, email, online form, webchat and SMS service and their hours of business were recently extended to 8am to 8pm Mon to Fri and 9am to 1pm Sat.

ComReg has a responsibility to consumers and one of its objectives is to ensure that communications work to the benefit of consumers. “It is one of ComReg’s strategic intentions that consumers can choose and use communications services with confidence,” says Ms Hourigan. “Informed consumers whose rights are upheld and who can avail of effective redress mechanisms will be confident in their dealings with service providers and this in turn will help drive competition.’’

Consumers are informed what their service provider’s obligations are and for consumers that have lodged a complaint with their service provider and have followed the service provider’s complaint procedures but whose complaint remains unresolved, ComReg will be able to review their issue and, if appropriate, escalate it on their behalf to their service provider.

“We will continue to engage with consumers through a variety of channels to promote awareness of consumer rights and the consumer services provided by ComReg.”

The other public face of ComReg according to Ms Hourigan is the consumer engagement programme which aims to promote awareness of the consumer services provided by ComReg. “In the past year we have participated at the 50 Plus Expo, Active Retirement Trade and Tourism Show, School Summit and National Ploughing Championships,” she says. “We have also used social media and targeted publications such as the Senior Times Magazine and we have distributed our consumer guides through a network of GP surgeries, health centres and hospitals nationwide.”

A particularly useful consumer tool is the dedicated consumer website, www.comreg.ie/compare which offers a value comparison tool that enables consumers to make better informed choices when deciding to switch providers or to switch package with the same service provider. The consumer website, www.comreg.ie/premiumrate, offers a service checker that provides a look up facility for an

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Financial Planning Do something today that you will thank your future self for‌ We can help you achieve your financial goals no matter what stage of life you are at.

For a Free Financial Planning Appointment, call us on (01) 470 8081 Cornmarket Group Financial Services Ltd. is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. A member of the Irish Life Group Ltd. which is part of the Great-West Lifeco Group of companies.

Telephone calls may be recorded for quality control and training purposes.

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OUTRIGHT WINNERS Best Insurance Broker, Public Sector

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Cornmarket Best Insurance Broker to the Public Sector

Congratulations to Cornmarket, winner of “Best Insurance Broker serving the Public Sector 2018” With over 380,000* policies and over 300 employees, Cornmarket is one of Ireland’s largest Insurance Brokers. Since 1972, Cornmarket has been serving the needs of Public Sector employees and their families, helping protect what’s important to them. Working closely with unions and other employers, Cornmarket helps customers find the right financial products to suit their needs from car, home and health insurance to life insurance, income protection, retirement planning and more.

Cornmarket Group Financial Services Ltd. is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. A member of the Irish Life Group Ltd. Which is part of the Great West Lifeco Group of companies.

On winning the award, Roddy Murphy, Managing Director of Cornmarket said “We are delighted to have won the award again this year. It is a testament to the commitment and hard work of the Cornmarket team. For over 45 years we have worked with Public Sector employees to ensure they are financially prepared for the future, a role which we are proud to have held for such a great length of time.”

2018 has been a big year for Cornmarket with a number of new business objectives completed. They recently rebranded to revitalize the look of the Group and are very close to the launch of a new website, which will enhance customer experience and add to the superior customer service they aim to achieve.

Their product range has also widened, as they have recently launched a new Travel Insurance product and excitingly re-entered the Mortgage market. This is a positive step for Cornmarket and a great addition for its customer base in the Republic of Ireland.

Cornmarket’s Financial Planning Service already provides invaluable advice to Public Sector employees on their complex pension rules, savings, investments and protection.

Not only has Cornmarket focused on improving their customer experience and product portfolio this year, they have also launched a new sponsorship initiative for Teachers and Transition year students in schools nationwide. Breast Cancer Ireland and Cornmarket have come together to promote Breast Health Education and Awareness in Schools. The aim of the programme is to encourage and educate women about good breast health from a young age, so that if an abnormality occurs it will be identified early and hopefully provide a more positive treatment outcome. Cornmarket is the sole sponsor of the programme which offers this excellent service free of charge to students and teachers around the country.

We’re looking forward to seeing what’s in store next for Cornmarket.

Each year they push for improvement and it will be exciting to see what 2019 will bring for the Group. *Source: Cornmarket, October 2018

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Pantone Violet CVU Pantone 240 CVU

Three Colour Spot Coated spot : lime green Pantone 389 CV spot : violet Pantone Violet CV spot : fuchsia Pantone 240 CV *NB poster use only

Full Colour Process process : lime green c 18 : m 0 : y 83 : k 0 process : violet c 94 : m 91 : y 0 : k 0 process : fuchsia c 22 : m 95 : y 0 : k 0

Volunteer with Big Brother Big Sister and help change a young person’s life.

Go to foroige.ie to find out more.

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Community & Recreation, Youth Award

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The organisation has a long and highly respected tradition, both nationally and internationally, and has guided generations of young people to lead happier, healthier and more fulfilled lives since its founding in 1952.

Foróige provides services to young people, volunteers and communities which can broadly be divided into volunteer led services and targeted services. Volunteer led services enable young people to involve themselves consciously and actively in their own development and in the development of society facilitated by adult volunteers. They include the organisation’s network of Foróige Clubs, Special Interest Groups and Youth Cafés as well as the Big Brother Big Sister Youth Mentoring Programme.

“Our Targeted Services are focussed on the provision of education/ training/development programmes directly by professional youth workers, sometimes in partnership with adult volunteers, to young people who are particularly disadvantaged, at risk and marginalised,” explains Seán Campbell, CEO. “Foróige works in proud partnership with the public sector to deliver services to young people. In particular we work with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs; Education and Training Boards, the Health Service Executive; the Irish Youth Justice Service and TUSLA amongst others.”

Robust governance, accountability and transparency are priorities for the organisation’s Board. They are extremely proud to be operating to the triple lock standards of transparent reporting, good fundraising and governance.

Campbell recognises that it is tough being a teenager in Ireland today.

Young people he says face unprecedented challenges in their lives disconnectedness and disillusionment, easy access to drugs and alcohol, a complex social environment – much of it lived out in an online world that brings unprecedented opportunities but also has many pitfalls. It is a world without a road map. Youth work – and in particular volunteer led youth work - has a critical role to play in supporting young people to navigate their way successfully through their adolescent years.

“We in Foróige know the irreplaceable power of volunteerism. For over

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Foróige is a leading youth development organisation working with more than 50,000 young people and 5,500 volunteers every year across Ireland. Foróige believe in a world where all young people have opportunities to grow and develop to be their best selves, one where young people are an intrinsic part of their communities and where adults and young people work in partnership to achieve this.

Young people who are involved in Foróige are empowered to develop their own abilities and attributes, to think for themselves, to make things happen and to contribute to their community and society. As a result, they develop greater self-confidence, self-reliance and greater capacity to take charge of their lives. Foróige’s clubs, projects and programmes are designed to achieve this aim. It happens in a friendly and safe environment in which young people can meet friends and importantly have fun.

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Community and Recreation Youth Award

65 years we have fostered the development of young people facilitated by dedicated, trained adults who commit to mentor, guide and inspire young people to be their best selves and to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed for success in life. We believe in youth work for all, not youth work for some.”

The majority of young people in Ireland still access youth work through volunteer led services and this is particularly true in rural Ireland. Some of the skills developed through it are the very ones identified by many studies as those most needed to ensure success in college, work and all aspects of community and family living. These skills include critical thinking, communication, confidence, goal-setting, planning, creative problem solving, empathy and resilience. Youth work also enables young people to develop social networks and acts as an effective early intervention for mental health, drug and alcohol misuse, obesity and healthy living.

Volunteers are a vital part of the successful provision of youth work in Ireland. They bring life experience and skills that could never be paid for.

Volunteers come from all walks of life and employment and willingly act as role models, guides, advisors and mentors and facilitators of nonformal education. They undergo rigorous recruitment and intensive training to do their job effectively. They also provide the backbone of the governance of the youth service at local and National level. Last year Foróige volunteers gifted almost 400,000 hours of their time to youth work in Ireland. When this is valued at the average industrial wage it equates to almost j9 million or a 3:1 return on the YSGS investment, without measuring the substantial impact on even a single young person. This truly is value for money.

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OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Corporate Sales

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 53 Degrees North Excellence in Corporate Sales

Irish owned outdoor apparel and equipment provider 53 Degrees North is passionate about the outdoors and can equip individuals and corporate customers for any outdoor adventure, no matter how extreme.

53 degrees North refers to circle of latitude 53 degrees north of the equator. This line takes in a wide variety of terrains including England, the Netherlands, Russia, Kazakhstan, China, Alaska, Canada and also goes right through the central counties of Ireland. It is an apt name for a company whose sole purpose is to equip people for outdoor adventure. The counties of Ireland traversed by the 53rd parallel North include Clare, Galway, Tipperary, Offaly, Laois, Kildare and Wicklow. So, whether you are exploring The Burren on a bike, sailing on Lough Derg, walking the Wicklow way or sailing off the coast, you will be able to locate the proper equipment at 53 Degrees North.

This wholly Irish owned store has three physical locations, at Blanchardstown, Carrickmines and in Cork City, as well as an online shop. “We are Irelands largest outdoor store with the largest ranges of some of the world’s biggest outdoor brands like The North Face, Columbia, Patagonia, Jack Wolfskin and more,” says Ben Finnegan, Marketing Manager at 53 Degrees North. His enthusiasm is palpable: “We are passionate about the outdoors and want to inspire the people of Ireland to get outdoors and enjoy the wonderful landscapes and array of adventure activities that you can do in this country,” he says.

are in the works. “We have plans to open more regional shops as well as a couple more stores in the Dublin area,” says Finnegan.

“We launched Irelands first Adventure Festival last year and we are excited to evolve this idea in 2019.”

53 Degrees North have a dedicated team that can give a personalised service as well as expert advice to help meet the needs of any public sector customer. “Feel free to pick up the phone and give us a call on 01 4372694, or check out our website at www.53degreesnorth. ie,” says King.

As the veteran rambler Alfred Wainwright has famously said, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” This seems to be the vision at 53 Degrees North, and with this in mind, there is no excuse not to get out there whether for work or play, whether in Ireland or overseas in style and comfort.

53 Degrees North is more than simply a shop, Finnegan says, “we provide advice on the best equipment & gear needed for any outdoor activity to suit any weather conditions.” This is clearly an aspect of the business in which the team take immense pride. Having taken the time to ensure they have understood a customer’s need, the team at 53 Degrees North can provide that customer with the best prices on both clothing and equipment from the world’s top outdoor brands.

As well as holiday and leisure equipment for the individual, whatever their level of interest in a particular sport or activity, 53 Degrees North also have a specialist area for corporate customers.

“Our corporate customers range from security forces to park rangers to outdoor broadcast, film studios, walking clubs, expedition organisers and more,” says Adam King, Corporate Sales at 53 Degrees North. The public sector is an important part of the business for 53 Degrees North, as many of the company’s corporate customers have staff and employees working out and about in the elements. “They are using the gear we sell in some of Ireland’s most extreme conditions and it gives us confidence that if the gear stands the test with these customers, we can be assured that the needs of our more causal customers will be met,” says King.

Business is going well at 53 Degrees North and plans for expansion

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BRANDS @ CARA

Ask your CARA Pharmacist about our

FREE HEALTHCARE SERVICES SHOP online@www.carapharmacy.com • Free Delivery on orders over €49 • Click and Collect Option • Delivery Nationwide • FREE samples with all orders • 100’s of brands to choose from OUR STORES Co. Dublin | Co. Donegal | Co. Sligo | Co. Leitrim | Co. Longford | Co. Galway | Co. Cavan | Co. Fermanagh

Station Road, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal T: +353-71-9822002 F: +353-71-9822006 E: info@carapharmacy.com | W: www.carapharmacy.com

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Pharmacy Services

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Headed up by Directors, Canice and Ramona Nicholas - both experienced pharmacists - Cara Pharmacy employs over 245 people and prides itself on the outstanding levels of customer service and the excellent customer experience which it offers at both its in-store and online outlets.

In addition to dispensing prescriptions and selling and providing advice on OTC medication, the dedicated teams of pharmacists and experienced healthcare staff at Cara Pharmacy provide numerous additional services including advice on minor ailments, smoking cessation clinics, vaccination services, compounding of medication and provision of emergency hormonal contraception.

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Cara Pharmacy

For Cara Pharmacy, its customers, people and communities are at the heart of everything they do. Cara’s stated mission is to improve the health and lifestyle of the communities they serve. It is a philosophy which has served the Cara Group well and it has rapidly joined the ranks of Ireland’s most prominent and successful pharmacy chains.

The Cara Group is an indigenous, innovative and rapidly expanding pharmacy and retail-based business which currently comprises 16 retail outlets and a popular and progressive online store. Established in 2002, the company is based in County Donegal and operates from sites all across Ireland, including Dublin, Cork and Northern Ireland.

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exciting project that is due to launch early next year that will enhance the customers experience online and in-store. Over the next 12-18 months we are changing our focus towards Cara Care.”

One feature that resonates at Cara Pharmacy is the passion and commitment that lies at the heart of the business and which has been instrumental in the rapid development of the Cara brand.

“At Cara our customers, people and communities remain at the heart of everything we do,” says Canice. “We practice our core values every day in everything we do. Our goal is to improve the healthy and lifestyle of the people in our communities and we do this by supporting everyone’s right to a happy, health and confident life.”

Testing Services are also provided including cholesterol checks, blood glucose measurements, blood pressure readings and weight and BMI measurements.

In addition, Cara Pharmacy also specialises in the provision of care to patients in nursing home and residential care settings. According to Director, Canice Nicholas, the pharmacy’s Dublin branch is regarded as a leader in this field and utilises a dosage compliance aid called the Cara Pouch to help optimise medicine management in the care setting. Teams of specially trained Cara pharmacists regularly visit the care homes to advise on patient medication, answer any questions which staff may have and contribute to staff training.

Canice and Ramona are proud of the extensive range of services provided by Cara Pharmacy to the public sector and stresses the critical role which pharmacies play in maintaining and safeguarding public health. “At Cara we recognise the vital role that pharmacists play in public health,” he says. “Our pharmacists contribute hugely to disease prevention and health improvement. They are experts in helping people manage their medical conditions and ensure they are getting the best from their medication. They are readily accessible and members of the public can seek advice and reassurance on minor illnesses without requiring an appointment.”

Otherwise, the key mission at Cara Pharmacy is to continue to deliver superior products and services and develop their reputation as the country’s leading pharmacy. “We will continue to aim to be the best in the industry by delivering products and service that are superior to our competitors,” he continues. “We are currently working on an

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OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Safety Standards

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within its organisation and for making a significant contribution to safer roads. Dublin Bus Chief Executive, Ray Coyne said “We are fully committed to protecting the safety of our employees, customers and those affected by our activities such as other road users. We want to ensure that all our drivers are more aware of cyclist behaviours and key scenarios that can potentially result in conflict and also increase the awareness of sharing road space safely across the general cycling population in a meaningful way”.

For their sustained efforts and commitment to road and cycle safety, Dublin Bus is a worthy recipient of the Public Sector Magazine Excellence in Safety Standards award.

Mr. McHugh explains that while the company has always been extremely mindful of cyclist safety as an important element of its bus driver training programme, it is always keen to explore new and innovative methods to further improve driver awareness in relation to cyclists, but also to promote the importance of cyclist safety to a wider audience. “For this reason we commissioned a unique and engaging cyclist safety video, ‘The Urban Jungle’, which perfectly captures the important relationship between the cyclist and the bus.

We liaised closely with a number of key stakeholders to develop the video, including the Road Safety Authority, Dublin City Council and Dublin Cycling Campaign.”

Inspired by the esteemed broadcaster and naturalist David Attenborough, the video depicts an “Urban Jungle” where the bus and cyclist must co-exist as one. The video looks at the important safety considerations for bus drivers when sharing the road with cyclists, and puts a particular emphasis on the key scenarios that can potentially result in conflict. James explains; “The video now forms an integral part of continuous driver refresher training in the Dublin Bus Driver Training Centre. We also commissioned 30 second cut downs of the video so this could be shared to a wider audience on our social media platforms”.

James also explains that Dublin Bus took the opportunity to engage directly with new and inexperienced cyclists by visiting a number of the larger third level colleges throughout the Greater Dublin Area.

“The initiative afforded employees and students the opportunity to sit in the driver’s seat, watch the Dublin Bus driver training video and learn all about blind spots around buses. These visits continued through 2018 with fantastic feedback from all participants.”

In December 2017 Dublin Bus was the recipient of a Road Safety Authority (RSA) ‘Leading Lights in Road Safety’ Award in the Public Sector Category for its commitment to promoting road safety

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018

Dublin Bus is the largest public transport provider in Ireland. In 2017, the company carried 139 million customers and this trend has continued during 2018 with numbers projected to increase to 145 million customers by the end of the year.

The company has a fleet of 1,018 low floor wheelchair accessible buses operating across 132 routes and shares the streets of the city with many vulnerable road users on a daily basis. According to Environmental, Health & Safety Manager James McHugh, the number of cyclists on the roads has increased significantly in recent years and this has presented new challenges for all road users, particularly given the distinct lack of segregated cycle lanes in many parts of the city. In 2016 over 12,000 cyclists crossed the canal cordon in the AM peak period. This represented an increase of 150% when compared with 2006 (Ref Canal Cordon Report 2016). 900 buses on average are sharing road space with cyclists during peak times.

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DUBLIN BUS AND CYCLIST SAFETY

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Dublin Bus Environmental, Health & Safety Manager James McHugh

How to stay safe when sharing the road with buses 1. Buses turning left You should never attempt to pass a bus on the inside when the bus is intending to turn left. Always wait for the bus to make the turn before advancing. This is also important in the case of trucks and other large vehicles.

2. Buses turning right Do not attempt to pass a bus on the outside when the bus is attempting to make a right turn.

3. Traffic lights and junctions When stopped at traffic lights or junctions, always position yourself so that you’re in full view of the bus driver. It’s also a good idea to try and make eye contact with the driver.

4. Bus lanes As a cyclist, you can legally use the same lanes as buses, even where a parallel cycle track is provided. However, you should always be mindful of buses pulling into and out of bus stops.

5. Safety around bus stops Do not attempt to undertake a bus if the bus has already started pulling into a bus stop. Equally, do not attempt to overtake a bus on the outside if the bus has already started to move away from its stop.

6. Blind spots Bus drivers must constantly look out for pedestrians, motorists and their passengers as well as cyclists. Like all vehicles, buses have blind spots and the driver may not always be able to see you. These blind spots can be to the front, rear or sides of the bus.

Always remember - If you can’t see the bus driver in his or her side mirror, then he or she can’t see you!

Help and Contact (01) 873 4222

www.dublinbus.ie

#dublinbusnews

Phone lines open 08.30 - 18.00 Mon-Sat (Excluding Public Holidays). Social media monitored from 07.00 – 19.00 Mon-Fri and out of hours during periods of severe disruption.

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Event Management Specialists Award

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Arcana Event Management Specialists Award

Arcana’s highly skilled in-house creative team work closely with clients to develop and deliver inspiring and innovative events of all scales and types, for a global audience.

Arcana are a world-class global event specialist company who provide a seamless service to develop, create, manage and execute events which have reached a global audience. The company offers a suite comprising full event management services. “Our service range is diverse and that’s because it needs to be – our clients come from a wide range of sectors,” says Johnny Donnelly, Managing Director. This diversity allows Arcana to accommodate an enormous range of event and production requirements.

The scale of some of Arcana’s productions are staggering. “We deliver these results because we embrace the smallest detail as importantly as the overall event impact,” says Donnelly. Arcana draw inspiration from being brand aware, creatively combining the ‘nuts and bolts’ expected for an event indoor or outdoor with an empowering awareness striving to produce better results, happier stakeholders and satisfied clients.

With his own strong background in the entertainment industry, Donnelly is personally aware of the importance of stage presence for his clients. He communicates this genuine interest in every client’s business, product or brand; every event is considered to be an entirely unique experience for the stakeholders. As brands, companies and organizations adapt and grow – new stories are being told. Arcana thrive on taking the lead in the new event environment.

At the heart of Arcana is a highly skilled in-house creative team with more than twenty years experience who work closely with clients to develop and deliver inspiring and innovative events of all scales and types. “We enjoy pushing the creative boundaries to ensure your identified audience is successfully reached,” says Donnelly, “event and brand awareness is enhanced and the experience is enjoyed”. Arcana provide a high standard of production management and technical services to an event with health and safety considerations always top of their list of priorities. “We have an outstanding reputation for entertainment management which ranges from the programming of main stage concert acts to the creation, management and execution of site-specific outdoor and indoor spectacles, festivals, concerts, conferences, destination management services, awards ceremonies and opening and closing ceremonies for world-class global events and leading brands,” says Donnelly.

well as destination and dignitary protocol management.

Arcana’s creative services extend to consultation, concept development and devising, event design, event programming, artist liaison & booking, set and prop construction, scripting, directing, costume design and stage management. “Each event is tailored in-house by our highly skilled team who manage projects from the creative concept right through to design, production, logistics and delivery of your event,” says Donnelly.

Arcana have been involved in several very interesting public sector projects, for example many of the 1916 events that were held across the country to commemorate the Easter Rising. The subject matter and the complexities involved in creating a meaningful event were, Donnelly remembers, a challenge but a very rewarding one creatively for Arcana.

The team have just finished their work on the Volvo Ocean Race, where they produced events in ten countries, right across the world, including Australia, China and the USA. Arcana were also involved in the recent Phoenix Park Papal Mass event for the World Meeting of Families and with Seafest, Ireland’s national maritime festival in Galway. But Arcana are not resting on their laurels as they are already busy working as Creative Directors for the New Year’s Eve event in Dublin this year with Fáilte Ireland and Dublin City Council, as well as successfully tackling some smaller-scale events on a weekly basis all over the country.

Managing Director Johnny Donnelly clearly loves his craft. His enthusiasm is contagious and the collaborative approach the Arcana team takes with each and every client is apparent; “Alone we can do so little,” he says, “together we can do so much”.

The Arcana team offer all aspects of event and production services, including site analysis and selection, venue drawings and plans, audio-visual, lighting and design, event graphics and special effects.

They can also handle the full event management including planning and control, technical management, logistics and transport, food and beverage management, budget management and health and safety.

In addition, they offer MC, VIP & guest speaker co-ordination, as

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Flexitime/Time & Attendance, Automated Rostering, Holiday and Absence Management Solutions

For 28 years Softworks Workforce Management Solutions have been assisting Public Sector organisations. Our Solutions make it easy for you to manage employee hours, flexitime, time in lieu, holidays and planned and unplanned absences. We can assist you to streamline internal processes, reduce administration, generate reports and encourage employee self-service.

Easy to use Workforce Management solutions - Softworks Works for your Workforce!

Employee Self Service & Mobile App

Supervisor Team Attendance Calendar

Employee Demographics, Absence & Analytics Dashboard

In-Email Timesheet, Holidays & Absence Authorisation

For further information about Softworks Workforce Management Solutions Contact us today on +353 1 286 6126 - hello@softworks.com

softworks.com

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Best Workforce Management

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Softworks Best Workforce Management

With offices in Ireland, UK, Canada and the USA, and supporting a string of high profile customers, Irish company Softworks have created powerful workforce solutions software to address just about any workforce challenge across all major industries.

Founded in 1990, Softworks’ aim was to create the most sophisticated, innovative and easy to use workforce management software in the world – “We were always a little ambitious!” enthuses CEO, Andrew Ferguson. Softworks initially developed Time & Attendance and Flexitime Solutions and then naturally expanded into other areas including; labour scheduling and rostering, absence management, project tracking and access control. “Today, we feel very privileged to work with some of the world’s most successful companies, across various industries around the world’s,” says Ferguson. These high-profile clients include some major global brands, including Dell EMC, Intel, Hertz, Coca-Cola and Tesco & Co. Softworks provide solutions to assist organisations to easily manage time and attendance, flexitime, remote working, rostering and planned and unplanned absences. Their solutions are built and supported by over 28 years of experience in this area and a proven ability to understand and address just about any workforce challenge across all major industries.

Softworks work with government departments, local authorities and councils in Ireland, the UK and Canada, who all use their Flexitime Solutions to accurately record hours worked, maintain flexi balances and manage planned/unplanned absences. “Furthermore, our solutions assist these organisations to streamline processes, reduce administration, increase productivity and reduce costs through improved management, scheduling and tracking of labour resources”, says Ferguson.

As well as using flexitime solutions, Softworks is also used by many hospitals and other healthcare providers for extremely complex rostering and time and attendance requirements. These organisations require a system that can manage employees 24/7, across multiple wards and departments, with very specific skills and experience. They use Softworks software to roster staff and ensure that they have the right number of staff, in the right place, with the right skills, at the right time - taking into account patient acuity and legislative compliance with regard to working hours.

While today Softworks is used across many sectors and industries including manufacturing, services, retail, hospitality and financial services, the public sector was one of the first areas Softworks specialised in and it is as important to us today as it was 28 years ago. “Our objective in the beginning was to assist public sector organisations to offer more flexible working regimes,” says Ferguson. Today, they still help these organisations to manage a wide range of flexible working and work life balance arrangements including flexitime, annualised hours, compressed hours, staggered hours, job sharing and remote working, but when required they also help with rostering, HR management, project tracking and access control. “Without Softworks, it is a huge administrative job to manage a large workforce. It requires a big team simply to devise and juggle all the different schedules within the workforce, along with a team calculating hours worked and rates of pay,” explains Ferguson.

“Our system enables an organisation to automate this process and easily roster hundreds of employees at different start and finish times without difficulty, because the technology can cater for it.” Softworks can capture 100% of an organisation’s rules and work practices, as well as providing in-depth analysis of attendance trends, overtime and absences, with full graphical reporting capabilities.

When talking about the future, Ferguson’s enthusiasm is tangible. “At Softworks we never sit still!” he says, “Our commitment and focus is the same as it was all those years ago – we strive to be the best. We look at our customers as partners and regularly hold focus groups with them to ensure that our solutions are the best on the market.”

This year has been a great year for the company with the launch of the latest version of their software, the continued demand for their mobile app and the growth and expansion of the company. That early company ambition continues unabated. “Our aim is for further growth both locally and internationally and we are on track to do both,” an assured Ferguson says.

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Mechanical & Electrical Expertise Efficient Innovative Robust Mechanical & Electrical Design

www.pmep.ie

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Mechanical & Electrical Consultancy

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 PMEP Consulting

PMEP (Penston MEP) was founded in 2015 by managing director Nick Penston. Since then the practice has gone from strength to strength, growing in size from four staff to the current contingent of fourteen highly skilled engineers and designers, and justifying their growing reputation in the industry of delivering efficient, innovative and robust mechanical and electrical designs for their clients and always in a timely manner.

Based in Calmount Business Park, Ballymount, South Co. Dublin, the company prides itself on its core values of providing the highest quality design packages that are on budget to their everexpanding client base. From one-off feature houses to Platinum rated LEED office fitouts, PMEP offers the complete range of M&E design expertise in building services installations from HT and LT installations, LV and ELV installations, lighting and emergency lighting, fire detection and alarms, BMS systems, ICT installations, all forms of HVAC systems, combined heat & power / cogeneration.

In addition to this, PMEP offers specialist skills and services in advanced computer modelling including thermal analysis, environmental and sustainable engineering, REVIT services, BREEAM and LEED assessments, due diligence, M&E cost control, building energy audits and BER assessments.

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Excellence in Mechanical & Electrical Consultancy

and Rachel Frasca and the other invaluable staff that keep it all going are extremely committed to client satisfaction by approaching each project as an opportunity to achieve a new higher level of professionalism, service and quality, to maintain a working environment that rewards distinction and that sets the standard for exemplary building services M&E design.

In recognition of these high standards, PMEP have been awarded the Public Sector Magazine Excellence in Business Award for their superior mechanical & electrical consultancy.

According to Managing Director Nick Penston, the public sector is very important to PMEP as it is a source of prestigious projects and of repeat business. “We are in a position to pledge director lead teams and to provide an exemplar service to our clients,” he says.

This level of service is evident in the company’s recent accreditations.

PMEP attained ISO 9001:2015 and OH SAS 18001:20070 in 2017, and has been involved in many prestigious projects since its inception, including Adobe Citywest, Oracle Blocks C and E, Eastpoint Business Park (Block E achieved design stage LEED Platinum), Clay Farm Development for Park Development Group, Parnell House for Alstead Securities, and the new Jaguar Landrover vehicle testing facility in Shannon, to name but a few.

All of the PMEP team members from Managing Director Nick Penston, Director of Projects Rory Harkin, Director of HR and Finance Michelle Hickey-Penston, Senior Associate Damian Roche Associate’s Eoin Mullins

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Elis is an international textile, hygiene and facilities services leader with activities in 28 countries across Europe and Latin America Head Office Elis Ireland +353 1 636 2900 info@elis.com Margaret.mullen@elis.com

www.elis.com

Dun Laoghaire Industrial Estate Pottery Rd, Co. Dublin, Ireland

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Laundry Services for Nursing Homes

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Elis Excellence in Laundry Services for Nursing Homes

Elis Ireland is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Elis Group, which operates over 440 commercial laundries with 45,000 employees.

It is the largest supplier of healthcare linen in 28 countries across Europe and Latin America with an annual turnover of j3 billion.

patients and staff with a professional service delivered with a personal touch.

Elis was founded in 1883 and has over 100 years of experience in the textile market. The Elis group provides multiple services to more than 400,000 clients of all sizes working in hospitality, healthcare, industry, commerce and cleaning. In October 2017 Berendsen was acquired by the Elis Group and continues to work to improve and grow the business with a unique multi-service model.

Care Tex is unique as it has both fully traceability and accountability, we use 2D bar codes to identify every individual item during the process.

Weekly reports detailing all usage coupled with a wash process validated by Eco Lab, this allows you an assured level of accountability and peace of mind.

Elis have a specially designed unit Care Tex for Nursing Homes resident’s laundry on the Naas Road Dublin, which is dedicated to the process and finish of residents clothing and other delicate items.

Care Tex currently provides this service to 50 nursing homes in Dublin and surrounding areas very successfully.

A private laundry service for Nursing Homes with a personal touch, our “Bedside to Bedside” laundry service will provide residents,

All Elis sites are independently audited to the ISO 9001:2015 and I.S. EN 14064:2002 standards by the NSAI.

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Traditional Claddagh Rings, Timeless Claddagh Wedding Bands & Exclusive Diamond Set Claddagh Rings From the Workshops of Claddagh Jewellers in the Heart of Galway City.

Visit Our Stores in Galway City

and Dublin City Centre

Visit Our Galway Store 25 Mainguard St. 091 562 310 Visit Our Dublin Store 2 Grafton St. 01 607 4018

shop@thecladdagh.com www.thecladdagh.com fb.com/claddaghjewellers

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Irish and Celtic Jewellery

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Claddagh Jewellers Excellence in Irish & Celtic Jewellery

The iconic symbol of love, loyalty and friendship, the Claddagh dates back hundreds of years and is intrinsically linked with Galway.

Claddagh Jewellers is part of a family run Irish manufacturing company that began making fine jewellery in 1967. With shops in Galway and Dublin, the company also operate an active online business with the tagline “From Galway with Love.”

In 1991 the first Claddagh Jewellers store opened in Galway’s Eyre Square Shopping Centre, enabling them to display their full range of jewellery and at the same time, to showcase jewellery from other Irish manufacturers. “The guiding ethos throughout has always been to promote Irish design with a focus on maintaining and expanding the manufacture of jewellery in Ireland,” explains Director Andrew Fried.

As they continued to develop new designs, including a range of diamond set Claddagh rings inspired by locations around Galway, Claddagh Jewellers quickly became a recognised destination, gaining a reputation as a high-quality producer of genuine Irish made jewellery among locals and visitors alike.

In 2006, Claddagh Jewellers moved to its current location, a prominent three-story building at the intersection of Shop Street, Mainguard Street and High Street in the heart of the old City of Galway, The Latin Quarter. “This move allowed the company to consolidate all parts of the business under one roof with retail sales on the ground floor, online sales and service on the second floor and a large workshop on the top floor overlooking St. Nicholas’s parish church, the oldest church in Galway,” explains Mr. Fried.

With their reputation for quality and authenticity fully established, a total of three jewellers and a qualified diamond setter are now employed, and their range of jewellery includes fully handmade pieces, jewellery made through lost wax casting and a range of semimanufactured stamped items in Sterling silver, gold and platinum.

refurbished the location and produced a fascinating short film, using only local talent, telling the tale of how the legend of the Claddagh ring came to be! The visitor center includes a thatched cottage reminiscent of the dwellings that existed in the village of the Claddagh before the 1920’s and highlights the origin of the Claddagh ring and its importance to Galway.

Combining the story of the Claddagh ring and keeping the spotlight firmly on the central theme of the tradition of Claddagh rings in Galway, it contains a workshop, information centre, an ample viewing area and a gift shop. Within the cottage is a workshop that comprises a cutting-edge casting plant which entered production in October 2015 and is on view to visitors who can see the various steps in the lost wax casting process from the injection of wax into moulds to the final polished product.

“The opening of this centre will obviously be a huge boost both in visibility to the public and in manufacturing capability for Claddagh Jewellers, who as the only Galway based member of the Federation of Jewellery Manufacturers of Ireland (FJMI) and the London Diamond Bourse (LDB), continue to promote jewellery made in Ireland by FJMI members while at the same time ensuring that these skills are not only kept alive but continue to grow in Galway,” says Mr. Fried.

Claddagh Jewellers also operate from a prestigious Dublin base at 2 Grafton Street.

Centrally located, on the corner of Grafton Street and directly opposite Trinity College, this is the only retail location in Dublin where visitors can buy Claddagh rings that are made in Galway.

In 2012, Claddagh Jewellers applied to the Irish Patents Office for recognition of their business identity and subsequently, their trading style was granted protection as an Irish trademark. This allowed Claddagh Jewellers to position themselves as makers of the Authentic Claddagh Ring, a term which is defined as “a traditional Claddagh Ring that is designed and made from start to finish, within the old city walls of Galway, with the date of manufacture of the ring recorded in a central register.”

From Galway with Love When the opportunity arose to secure the adjoining unit at 26 Shop Street, the decision was taken to convert it into a visitor & manufacturing centre open to the public, named ‘Legend of The Claddagh Ring’. Making this the focus of the celebration of 25 years since the opening of their first store, Claddagh Jewellers completely

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THE AUDIoLogy CLInIC

HEARING & BALANCE THE AUDIoLogy CLInIC Hearing Tinnitus Balance Hearing Tinnitus Balance

All patients attending The Audiology Clinic are seen by Dr Deepak Kumar Deepak is an audiological scientist specialises in hearing and balance

Professional Profile of Deepak Kumar • Doctor of Audiology from Arizona, USA • Master of Audiological Sciences from UCL, London • Bachelor Degree in Audiology from India

Please contact the clinic for:

• Hearing - Diagnostic Hearing Assessment (children & adult) • Concussion & Dizziness • Tinnitus or Hyperacusis - Assessment & Management • Dizziness or Vertigo - Assessment & Management • Hearing Aid Prescription • Microsuction Ear Wax Removal

Please contact for an appointment ( Patients are seen only by an appointment) Tel: 083 3126299 • 01 9106913 Fax: 01 5547353 E: info@audiologyclinic.ie - www.audiologyclinic.ie The Audiology Clinic, Suite 9, Vista Primary Care, Ballymore Road, Naas, Co. Kildare.

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Expert in Hearing & Balance healthcare

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According to Doctor Kumar, a person with dizziness or balance disorder may or may not have hearing loss and it is important to remember that dizziness or vertigo is only a symptom and not a diagnosis. Formal vestibular assessment is required to know the possible causes of dizziness/vertigo which can help in treatment.

Can you imagine your life without hearing the voice of your loved ones?

No, it’s difficult for everyone. It is really annoying when you want to participate in a conversation but you are not able to hear others properly.

It creates a lack of confidence and one feels inclined to stay home rather than participating in any social gathering, family function or party. That is the unfortunate reality of hearing loss.

Doctor Kumar points out that a large number of the population with hearing difficulty don’t wear hearing aids. “Some people lack the confidence to use them while others are fearful of becoming dependent on hearing aids,” he says. “The reality is if a hearing aid is fitted appropriately after a proper assessment, it improves the hearing quality and it does not damage hearing. Studies show that people who wear hearing aids are happier and more confident.”

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 The Audiology Clinic

The Audiology Clinic is a private independent diagnostic audiology practice which provide prevention, assessment and management of patients suffering from hearing, tinnitus and balance disorders. Dr Deepak Kumar, audiological scientist at the Audiology clinics aims to enhance the quality of life of clients through better hearing and balance healthcare by offering the highest standard of personal attention and professional services.

The ear is the only organ in our body that is responsible for two functions - hearing and balance. The anatomy of the inner ear houses both senses, hearing and balance. Therefore, when the inner ear gets affected, whether through trauma, disease or ageing, it can affect a person’s hearing and balance and it is also possible for both to be affected simultaneously.

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Excellence in Clinical Diagnostic Services

The Audiology Clinic is a private independent audiology practice and all patients attending the clinic are seen by Audiological Scientist Dr Deepak Kumar.

Deepak began his academic career by obtaining a Bachelor Degree in Audiology from University of Mysore, India. He then went to the prestigious Institute of Laryngology and Otology at University College London where he obtained a Master Degree in Audiological Science and achieved a distinction. He completed a Doctorate of Audiology from A.T. Still University, Arizona, USA. Deepak is a member of Irish Academy of Audiology (IAA), Irish Society of Hearing Aid Audiologist (ISHAA), and a fellow member of American Academy of Audiology (FAAA).

Deepak began his career working in a children’s Hospital in Jaipur, India and since then he has worked in Kenya and the UK. He has been working in Ireland since 2004. With over 18 years of professional experience, Deepak has worked in all aspects of Clinical Audiology including, tinnitus, advanced audio-vestibular (auditory and vestibular), prescription of hearing aids, cochlear implant etc. He has been involved in teaching medical and paramedical students in the clinic as well as in the university.

He has also carried out various research related to audiology (audiovestibular). His recent research was on “The Effect of Body Position and Pressure on the Cochlea” with Professor David Kemp who is the Emeritus Professor at UCL Ear Institute, London. Deepak has presented many papers in both national and international conferences and written articles in journals.

One common affliction is tinnitus which is the perception of sound when there is no external source. Tinnitus sound consists of ringing, buzzing or clicking and can range from low to very high pitch which may be continuous to intermittent. The severity of perception of tinnitus can also range from subtle to shattering.

Hyperacusis is a disorder in which a person finds intolerance to sounds that otherwise seem normal to most people. People who suffer with hyperacusis may find normal environmental sounds too loud. There are various different treatment options available to manage tinnitus and hyperacusis. Complete medical and audiological assessment is required to know the best possible treatment option.

Why choose an audiology specialist? An Audiologist/Audiological Scientist is a healthcare professional involved in the assessment and management of people with hearing and balance problems. This includes patients of all ages from newborn babies to elderly people.

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The Irish Specialists in Electrical Adjustable Beds.

Respect, Reliability, Service.

Unit 3, St.Kieran’s Enterprise Centre, Furze Road Sandyford, Dublin 18. D18 VY58 01 295 9000 / care@caretocomfort.ie

caretocomfort.ie

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Provision of Homecare Services

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Care To Comfort Best Homecare Providers

Care to Comfort provide electric adjustable beds and chairs, that fit with the décor of your home.

Irish company Care to Comfort is the brainchild of Yvonne Cassidy and Martin Deasy and the company provides hospital quality beds that don’t look like hospital beds. Their ingenious idea means that their customers can have the full functionality of a hospital bed in a traditional bed frame at home. It is a discreet and practical solution for many customers. The beds themselves are profiling beds which rise at the head and at the feet; it is also possible to have a high/ low mechanism which allows the person to be cared for in the bed.

Care to Comfort’s customer base includes older people, people with disabilities and on-going health conditions and people who have difficulty sleeping. “Our goal is to fit the right bed to the right person, because the right bed improves the quality of sleep and boosts overall health,” says Yvonne Cassidy. There is a real sense of customer care with Care to Comfort. Each customer is treated as an individual as their specific needs are teased out by Cassidy and Deasy. The company understands how a person’s dignity can be eroded when an ordinary flat bed no longer fits their needs.

“We believe that our beds can help people maintain their dignity and enjoy living independently in their own homes for longer,” says Cassidy, “We are very proud of our products and service.” There is no need to take Cassidy’s word for it either – pages of testimonials from all over Ireland are available to view on the company website.

sector in delivering care at home for people who are able to avail of it. In turn, this will support us in our goal of giving our customers the best possible care and making sure their needs are heard,” continues Cassidy. “We want to work with the public sector in helping patients live independently in their own homes.”

Care to Comfort has already developed strong links with individual health practitioners, but would like to formalise links with public health sector bodies going forward. The company is planning to work with hospital and nursing home administrators and bed managers to facilitate quicker discharge for patients who are ready to return home, but need extra support. The new website and blog forms part of this process, with several articles which can make people more aware of the importance of a sound nights sleep and how Care to Comfort beds can facilitate this and help them live healthier lives.

Care to Comfort work closely with hospitals, GPs, physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals to identify people who might benefit from their beds. Any professional can offer Care to Comfort beds as a solution to people who have sleep difficulties, or to relieve the symptoms of long-term conditions, such as asthma, arthritis and Parkinson’s Disease.

Emergency and short-term needs can also be catered for. “With our bed rental scheme, we can make a bed available within 24 hours, which means that patients can be discharged more quickly from hospitals and recover in the comfort of their own home,” says Cassidy. On a long-term basis, Care to Comfort beds help carers and public health nurses deliver care more efficiently. As the height of the bed can be adjusted, the patient is easier to reach, and therefore easier to care for in the home setting.

The public sector is a growth area for Care to Comfort. The company is interested in developing mutually beneficial relationships with health professionals and with public health institutions as a whole.

“We believe we can offer solutions to hospitals who are looking to put long-term care facilities in place for patients,” says Cassidy. She understands the growing need to support persons at home, rather than in an acute hospital setting when appropriate. Cassidy and Deasy have a win-win outlook. “We can support the public health

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NATIONAL AMBULANCE SERVICE The National Ambulance Service (NAS) responds to over 300,000 ambulance calls each year, employs over 1,800 staff across 100 locations and has a fleet of circa 500 vehicles. In conjunction with its partners, the NAS transports approximately 40,000 patients via an Intermediate Care Service, co-ordinates and dispatches more than 800 aero medical / air ambulance calls and completes 600 paediatric and neonatal transfers. NAS also supports community first responder schemes in conjunction with CFR Ireland. The mission of the NAS is to serve the needs of patients and the public as part of an integrated health system, through the provision of high quality, safe and patient-centred services.

This care begins immediately at the time that an emergency call is received and continues through to the safe treatment, transportation and handover of the patient to the clinical team at the receiving hospital or ED. According to NAS Director, Martin Dunne, the service will move towards a more multi-dimensional urgent and emergency care provision model which is safe and of the highest quality. This is in accordance with international trends, the desire to implement the recommendations of the various reviews into the service and the ultimate aim of improving patient outcomes whilst ensuring appropriate and targeted care delivery.

Delivering high levels of care is the priority at the National Ambulance Service College where all NAS emergency medical technicians, paramedics and advanced paramedics receive training and on-going revalidation. The college has the latest training aids and simulators which ensures comprehensive training in a consistent manner for all staff. It also trains call taking and dispatch staff for the NEOC. Training is further provided for the Irish coastguard, the defence forces, An Garda SĂ­ochĂĄna, health care professionals and members of voluntary organisations. The range of courses includes patient care programmes, leadership courses, tutor development, major incident planning and preparation and driving. The college provides vocational and professional education and training to ambulance and associated personnel based on current best practice, to meet the strategic and operational needs of the National Ambulance Service and the Health Communities and Patients it serves.

www.nationalambulanceservice.ie https://www.facebook.com/NationalAmbulanceService https://twitter.com/AmbulanceNAS

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Specialist Care

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 National Ambulance Service College Excellence in Specialist Care

The National Ambulance Service (NAS) is the statutory pre-hospital emergency and intermediate care provider for the state.

The mission of the NAS is to serve the needs of patients and the public as part of an integrated health system, through the provision of high quality, safe and patient-centered services. This care begins immediately at the time that an emergency call is received and continues through to the safe treatment, transportation and handover of the patient to the clinical team at the receiving hospital or ED. The NAS responds to over 300,000 ambulance calls each year, employs over 1800 staff across 100 locations and has a fleet of approximately 500 vehicles, including Rapid Response Vehicles and Motorbike Response Units. In conjunction with its partners, the NAS transports approximately 40,000 patients via an Intermediate Care Service, co-ordinates and dispatches more than 800 aero medical / air ambulance calls and completes 600 pediatric and neonatal transfers. NAS also supports community first responder schemes in conjunction with CFR Ireland.

Care begins immediately an emergency 112/999 call is received, where lifesaving pre-arrival assistance is provided by National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) call takers directly to the

patient or any third party that is available to assist. This pre-arrival care includes the delivery of medications, CPR, use of defibrillator, hemorrhage control, childbirth and many other emergencies that present. This care is then transferred to the arriving paramedics where it is followed through to the safe transportation and handover of the patient to the clinical team at the receiving hospital.

NAS Director, Martin Dunne states that the service is continually moving towards a more multi-dimensional urgent and emergency care provision model which is safe and of the highest quality. This is in accordance with international trends, and the ultimate aim of improving patient outcomes whilst ensuring appropriate and targeted care delivery for the long-term evolution of the service.

Delivering high levels of care is the priority at the National Ambulance Service where all NAS emergency medical technicians, paramedics and advanced paramedics receive training and on-going revalidation.

The NAS college has the latest training aids and simulators which ensures comprehensive training in a consistent manner for all staff.

It also trains call taking and dispatch staff for the NEOC.

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Project Solutions for Water & Waste Water Glan Agua are industry leaders in providing project solutions for the water and wastewater industry including design, construction, commissioning, operation and maintenance.

Turnkey Design and Build Solutions Projects that drive the future Innovative Process Designs Winner of Engineers Ireland Project of the Year 2018 Completing the water Cycle

IRL: +353 (0) 91 880 332 | UK: +44 (0) 203 114 2135 Ireland Offices Railway House, Station Road, Loughrea, Galway, Ireland Tel : +353 (0) 91 880 332 Email: info@glanagua.com

UK Office Unit 3, 4075 Kingswood Road, Citywest Business Campus, Dublin 24, Ireland Tel : +353 (01) 5514515 Email: info@glanagua.com

Churchill House, Suite 301, 120 Bunns Lane, London NW7 2AS Tel : +44 (0) 203 114 2135 Email: info@glanagua.com

www.glanagua.ie

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Waste Management Treatment Award

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Glan Agua Ltd Water Management Treatment Award

Glan Agua specialises in providing design, construction, commissioning, operation and maintenance services within the water and wastewater sector.

Water is a precious resource, essential for all life on earth. Managing our water so it can meet our current and future needs and also continue to support the ecosystems that depend on it is vital for Ireland’s future, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

One company doing just that is Glan Agua Ltd., a private limited company providing project solutions for the water and wastewater industry. Glan Agua, who commenced trading in January 2008, specialises in providing design, construction, commissioning, operation and maintenance services within the water and wastewater sector. Glan Agua has undertaken projects with a large number of Local Authorities and Private Clients in the Food and Pharmaceutical Sectors. The company continually strives to improve their skill set and investigate new technologies to efficiently manage Irish water resources and the environment on behalf of their clients.

John Fox, Operations Contracts Manager for Glan Agua explains, “We have the capacity and the experience to provide complex project solutions for the water and wastewater industry including design, construction, operation and maintenance of water and wastewater infrastructure.” Glan Agua strive to offer complete solutions to clients utilising the best available technology and the most modern equipment combined with innovative engineering solutions that are tailored to what they need. “We always adopt the most up-to-date specifications and operate all our infrastructure to the highest safety, quality and environmental standards”, says Fox. Some of these innovations include Mixed Liquor Vacuum Degassing (MLVD). Glan Agua integrated Mixed Liquor Vacuum Degassing (MLVD) technology into its ground-breaking design for the Cavan Waste Water Treatment Plant Upgrade Project. The MLVD technology is an innovative patented process, which conditions the activated sludge and makes wastewater treatment process easy to control and operate. The MLVD Process changes properties of activated sludge, facilitating higher performance characteristics of the wastewater treatment system and reducing the overall size of the plant.

This technology has been utilised on over 40 Waste Water Treatment Plants worldwide but Glan Agua were the first to bring this process to Ireland and UK for the j14.5m Cavan WWTP which was officially opened in January 2017.

“Glan Agua Ltd. are fully committed to delivering a high standard of products and services, and at all times strives to achieve our policy requirements based on continuous improvement and development,” Fox explains.

in conjunction with our sister company, MEIC, are delighted to announce that we have recently been awarded and have signed the Thurles Regional Water Supply Scheme Contract No.2” says Fox. The j16.6 million investment at Thurles, in partnership with Irish Water and Tipperary County Council will involve construction of new water treatment plant and associated network. The new supply will replace 10 existing water treatment plants which are vulnerable to water quality issues.

The project will involve the construction of a new water treatment plant at Killenyearda, along with intake works and a pumping station at Rathkeenan and associated mains. For Glan Aqua this contract involves the Design, Build and Operation of the Thurles Water Treatment Plant which will produce 8,600m3/d, utilising state of the art technology.

“This represents a strategic award for Glan Agua and MEIC, further establishing our position as market leaders in the water services sector,” says Fox. Glan Agua and MEIC designed the facilities at tender stage utilising innovative Building Information Modelling (BIM) and 3D modelling to avail of all the benefits they bring such as clash detection, design ‘walk through’, advanced planning, faster project delivery, and reduced safety risk.

Glan Agua recently completed the Kerry Central Water Supply Scheme, and this project won Engineers Ireland Project of the Year 2018.

This new state of the art facility was successfully designed and built over the past 24 months by Glan Agua and MEIC in an environmentally sensitive and large tourist area. As a result of the upgrade and investment, it was confirmed a number of weeks ago that the Kerry Central RWSS has been removed from EPA’s Remedial Action List (RAL), the list of ‘at risk’ water supplies. This contract represents the continued growth for Glan Agua in the DBO Water services market and successfully demonstrates our ongoing commitment to working collaboratively with Irish Water, to deliver such a substantial projects on programme and on budget. This new Plant provides a safe and secure water supply for 62,000 people and an estimated 1.2 million tourists annually.

This busy company has many more projects underway. “Glan Agua,

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Automated compliance reporting - save man-power and costs on any environmental monitoring project

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www.sonitussystems.com info@sonitussystems.com 353-1-6778443

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Monitoring Systems

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Sonitus Systems Excellence in Monitoring Systems

Sonitus Systems provide user-friendly and reliable noise monitoring systems. Founded in 2007 to provide cost-effective noise monitoring instrumentation to regulatory authorities, the company has expanded and evolved, now offering a full range of noise management services.

“Sonitus Systems manufacture environmental monitoring systems for use in the construction and industrial sectors,” explains Managing Director Paul McDonald.

“Our monitoring systems are used for environmental compliance checks, public information campaigns, smart cities projects and complaint investigation.

Our combination of rugged measurement equipment and automatic online reporting tools allow our public sector customers to monitor environmental compliance in a highly costeffective way.”

McDonald says that public sector work has always been a core part of his business.

The company was set up in 2007 to service public sector requirements for automated environmental monitoring. They have since grown to serve a range of sectors and applications with equipment designed and manufactured in Ireland and sold all over the world, but local authority and public sector projects are still a very important area of the business.

Currently the company is working on some interesting smart city projects with a number of local authorities. “The Irish public sector teams that we work with have been leaders in environmental monitoring solutions for a number of years. We are now updating and improving the services that they offer to the public. In addition to this, we are also building new export links to replicate the success of these Irish projects overseas,” explains McDonald. This has resulted in interest from a number of international groups based on the work that Sonitus has carried out in Ireland. The company are now working with Enterprise Ireland to export the systems

developed here.

Asked to summarise what it is that the company can offer McDonald says that Sonitus Systems provide affordable, userfriendly environmental measurement systems that can be used for a range of applications. “We have experience with multiple projects from global smart cities initiatives to local noise complaints. Our automated equipment and in-depth expertise can help to tackle any environmental monitoring requirements that Ireland’s public sector may face.”

In this regard Sonitus Systems are worthy winners of this year’s award for Excellence in Monitoring Systems.

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OUTRIGHT WINNERS Retail Management Services

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Northside Shopping Centre Retail Management Services

At the heart of North Dublin is a community shopping centre with a big heart. Northside Shopping Centre was one of the earliest shopping centres in Ireland built in 1970.

Today it continues to thrive, acting as a community hub and a one stop shop for northsiders for over 40 years.

Shopping centres have an important and broad ranging role at the heart of local communities providing shops, businesses, services and community facilities within accessible distances to where people live. For anyone that grew up in Coolock, Northside Shopping Centre is just that and one of the most comfortable and familiar places in the world.

With an updated new look, Northside Shopping Centre is still a strong pillar of the local community offering a wide range of services for everyone in the area. From medical services to the weekly grocery shopping, it can all be found under one roof. There’s even a swimming pool on site used by local schools and colleges, mothers and toddlers as well as by the entire wider area.

with the addition to BookValue of a new café, down time is taken care of after some retail therapy. The Card Factory have also opened their first Republic of Ireland store at Northside Shopping Centre.

There have been many firsts over the last year, one in particular that the Northside team relished: “As much as we have loved all the new arrivals to the centre, one opening was a little more historic. NCU, (Northside Centre for the Unemployed) opened its new office on Monday May 1st. We had the honor and privilege of having President Michael D Higgins here to open it for them.”

Concluding McCabe says, “from the management, staff and stores of Northside Shopping Centre, we thank our customers for their continued support and we look forward to many years of serving our community.”

The sense of community here is strong and it is encouraged by centre manager Alan McCabe who takes every opportunity to give back to the community that her serves: “We provide sponsorship to several local teams, Parnell’s GAA Club, Mercy College, Beaumont Basket Ball & Cholaiste Dhulaigh Post Primary GAA teams,” he says. “Along with these sponsorships we have also given use of one of our building to Glin Amateur Boxing Club as they had been struggling to locate a permanent base for their training and competitions.”

As services to community goes, it really doesn’t get much better than Northside. McCabe is delighted with the recognition saying that his team are honoured to win the Services to Community Award 2017. “We strive to give back to the community that has kept our doors open for over 40 years. We hope to continue to support the local community as much as they support us.”

Following on from the 2016 relaunch party (a party that spanned an entire year), over j10k worth of prizes were given away and countless events drew visitors to the centre. Today this community hub has several new stores that joined the family over the past 12 months.

Brown Town Tanning Salon is now on the first-floor balcony for a golden glow all year long. CEX are tempting customers with some amazing value and trade in deals on entertainment electricals, and for a treat to tantalize the taste buds, Sbarro and Thunders Home Bakery are serving up delicious treats. Regatta Great Outdoors brought Dublin GAA star Philly McMahon to do the ribbon cutting honors for them when they opened their amazing new store and

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OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Corporate Services

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Xpert Taxis Excellence in Corporate Services

Xpert Taxis was launched by an Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in October 2005 when the company challenged the market by introducing innovative technology to assist in providing the Irish corporate, governmental and residential market with a premium taxi and chauffeur service.

Xpert Taxi specialise in top end corporate accounts across all markets from legal, financial, pharma and state contracts. “Having begun my career in the Irish defence Forces and transport, I am used to delivering transport in difficult and demanding circumstances,” explains CEO Vinny Kearns. “In the event of issues arising, we have a proven escalation process that ensures we maintain communications and deliver timely updates to our client base.”

Kearns confirms that many of his drivers are ex-military and exGarda personnel. He is proud to have been selected to provided chauffeur services for visits from important dignitaries to Ireland such as President Obama, The Queen’s visit and Vice President Biden, however every client no matter who they are is seen as a VIP to Kearns and he works hard to ensure that is exactly how they feel.

“Having one of Europe’s most experienced management teams we regularly attend international trade conferences to ensure we are on top of our game and avail of the latest technology available,” he says. “Our aim is to set the benchmark for the industry and our main target audience is government and corporate contracts which has helped us trade successfully through the economic downturn from 2007.”

Referring to the Public Sector Magazine Excellence in Corporate Services award, Kearns says that the award is greatly appreciated “in recognition of our efforts, and it acknowledges the standard of work provided by our staff.” He feels that it will encourage the team even more to invest in areas that will result in a better customer experience all round.

“Our aim is to be the preferred supplier of taxis, chauffeurs and buses to our corporate clients while continuing to expand our operations in Dublin, Wicklow, Meath, Kildare, Sligo, Limerick and Ennis. The current economic upturn has and will result in greater future demands and opportunities for those who prepare to meet demands.”

Closing Kearns says: “As a company we will continue to invest in a manner that reduces our impact on the environment and reduces our carbon footprint. We are reviewing our fleet policy and actively encourage hybrid and electric vehicle use. This policy is evident in our day to day practices on the road and in our offices where we have recently replaced all lighting with low energy LED fittings. I would lastly, like to thank everyone involved in the competition and sponsorship of this award.”

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Local Link provides door-to-door and scheduled bus services in towns, villages and rural areas.

To find your Local Link and for details on timetables visit

www.locallink.ie

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Transport Community Award

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Local Link Transport Community Award

Local Link provides rural transport links across the country, responding to rural isolation and enhancing the mobility, accessibility and community participation of local people.

Local Link is a development of the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) to address issues of unmet transport needs from a social inclusion and community-based perspective. Local Link is specifically focused on responding to rural isolation and enhancing the mobility, accessibility and community participation of local people.

on the locallink.ie website to view what services are available. Once a service is identified, it is advisable to contact the closest Local Link office as many services require pre-booking, particularly where door-to-door services are available. The details of scheduled Local Link services are available on the National Journey Planner.

The National Transport Authority (NTA), established in 2009, has the statutory responsibility to procure public transport passenger services. The placing of the responsibility for integrated local and rural transport with the NTA, including managing the RTP, has had the effect of consolidating the oversight of all State funded local and rural transport services.

Local Link services are available to everyone with a significant focus on providing accessible transport options for service users.

Free Travel Passes are accepted on all Local link services. Fares are payable by anyone who doesn’t have a Free Travel Pass - fare information is available on www.locallink.or by contacting the Local Link office managing the service.

It enables the development of better links between local and rural transport services and scheduled bus and rail services. It also enables the NTA to identify gaps in service provision and, as funds become available, to fill those gaps gradually in the most effective way.

The Rural Transport Programmes mission statement is “to provide a quality nationwide community based public transport system in rural Ireland which responds to Local needs,” says Margaret Malone, Rural Transport Programme Manager.

Local Link provides a combination of Demand Responsive Transport or door-to-door and Scheduled Fixed Transport bus services in towns, villages and rural areas. Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) services do not operate on a fixed route but respond to requests for services by intending passengers. They operate by making specific trips to pick up and drop off passengers at the door. This offers great peace of mind to passengers who might otherwise have no way to access public transport. An additional feature, which is helpful for many customers, is the willingness of drivers or other staff to assist with getting shopping on and off the bus. These small gestures can make a real difference to a person living in an isolated or rural area when they are making the decision to venture out into their community on a shopping trip.

“The key priorities of the Rural Transport Programme continue to include addressing rural social exclusion and the integration of rural transport services with other public transport services,” says Malone, “The NTA in conjunction with Local Link offices will continue to identify improvements in existing services and develop appropriate new routes based on the availability of resource. Greater integration with existing public transport services between towns/ villages will also continue to be a key focus of the Programme.

Scheduled Fixed Transport services are those services with a regular route, stopping place and timetable.

Evening or late-night services are also available, usually on a Friday or Saturday evening. This provides opportunities for people to engage in social activities that might otherwise be unavailable to them due to a lack of transport.

There are 17 Local Link Offices nationwide. These offices manage approximately 1,000 Public Bus Services in local and rural areas of Ireland. Contact information for all offices, including phone number and email addresses can be found on the Local Link website- www. locallink.ie There are several ways in which to find out about Local Link services around the country. The first option is to visit the timetable page

Francisco Ferreira, Maureen Cournane, Eric Tierney, Margaret Malone and Tara Gleeson

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OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Services to the Community

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Samaritans has an extensive network with 2,500 volunteers based in 20 branches across the country. Last year alone, they answered 800,000 telephone calls to their 24 hours Freephone helpline and replied to 70,000 text messages (RoI & NI). They also reached out to thousands of people with face-to-face support in communities across the country, with specially trained teams visiting festivals, schools and prisons.

At a national level, a small staff team in Samaritans Ireland work behind the scenes to maintain the telephone, email, and text network. They also support the branch network with administration and Garda vetting.

Areas such as policy, communications, partnerships, training and operations are also delivered from the head office.

“Our helpline and support services are available to all members of the public, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including public sector workers who may feel they are struggling to cope in their everyday lives,” says O’Shea.

Agencies, organisations and staff across the health care sector also signpost service users to Samaritans for support, as volunteers are available throughout the night and over the weekend.

Samaritans Ireland staff have delivered awareness and training in Samaritans active listening techniques to a number of public service bodies whose staff are dealing directly with people who are vulnerable or distressed.

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Samaritans Ireland

Established in Ireland more than 50 years ago (Belfast 1962, Dublin 1970), there are now 20 Samaritans branches across the country with more than 2,500 volunteers.

Samaritans is continuously working to reach those who need them most and offers a safe place to talk about any issue.

Samaritans vision is that fewer people die by suicide. “We work to achieve this by making it our mission to alleviate emotional distress and reduce the incidence of suicidal feelings and suicidal behaviour, particularly in high-risk groups,” says Cindy O’Shea, Samaritans Irish Regional Director.

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relationship with key people, agencies and departments including the Health Service Executive, National Office of Suicide Prevention, and Department of Health.

Samaritans have also successfully recruited several volunteers from the public sector over the last five decades. O’Shea appreciates that each volunteer brings with them a rich variety of work and life skills which support Samaritans’ core services and each individual branch.

Samaritans is continuously working to reach those who need them most by whatever form of communications possible and has committed significantly to technology in recent years.

Samaritans launched a text and email service in the last year, so anyone who contacts them electronically in Ireland will be responded to by a volunteer here in Ireland. “This was rolled-out to ensure that callers, particularly young people, have a way of contacting us comfortably,” says O’Shea, “It also ensured we complied with Children First and Adult Safeguarding policies.”

An investment in the telephone infrastructure saw the recent expansion of their network. “The roll-out of e-Log (a new online recording system) is helping to collate data on the nature of our calls and will subsequently produce evidence of our impact,” says O’Shea.

O’Shea has a message for our readers, “People can talk to us anytime they like, in their own way - about whatever’s getting to them. You don’t have to be suicidal to call, text, email or seek face-to-face support in your local Samaritans branch. If you need to talk, we listen. Call Freephone 116 123, text 087 260 9090 (standard rates apply) or email jo@samaritans.ie”

“We have delivered the Samaritans’ Listener scheme in prisons since 2002 and have recently established the service in every prison in Ireland,” says O’Shea, “meaning we are reaching some of the most vulnerable men and women in society in the prison setting”.

She is keen to recognise that this program could not have been rolled out without the support of the staff in the public sector, particularly the Irish Prison Service.

It is clear that the public sector is a hugely important one for Samaritans Ireland across several areas.

Public servants are tasked with implementing policy and managing funding for the mental health sector, so Samaritans have a close working

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OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Healthcare

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First established as a medical library and reading room at 41 Grafton Street, Fannin has evolved into one of the leading suppliers of a wide range of pharmaceuticals and medical devices to the community and acute care sectors in Ireland and the UK. Their diverse range of Medical Devices includes innovative and high quality medical, surgical and diagnostic products for health care professionals and patients.

Their pharmaceutical portfolio comprises of a wide range of injectables, inhalers, oral & solid dose medicines. Fannin deliver solutions across a range of therapy areas including antibiotics, haematology, neurology, anaesthesia, pain management, respiratory, addiction & emergency medicines.

Fannin’s Scientific division specialises in the supply and support of high quality scientific devices, laboratory equipment, consumables and reagents to the Biotech, Academic, Microbiology and Clinical Diagnostics sectors within Ireland and the UK. In addition to the sale and distribution of vital pharmaceuticals, scientific and medical devices, Fannin operates a Community Care Service (CCS) which provides the complete scope of services required for the efficient management and safe reuse of rehab & mobility aids and appliances in the community.

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Fannin Ltd, as part of DCC Vital, provides the medical devices, pharmaceuticals and diagnostic products that help healthcare professionals and patients across the Island of Ireland and the UK manage illness and restore health. However, what they deliver is more than simply the mechanics of treatment, they strive to be the best service provider of Medical Devices, Medicines and Services to the Irish healthcare sector.

With the heritage of care giving dating back to 1829, Fannin have a track record in medical supplies and pharmaceutical distribution to support this claim. Fannin’s deep sector knowledge, long-standing relationships with manufacturers and the ability to tailor solutions has made them the trusted supplier to many healthcare providers.

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Excellence in Healthcare

Fannin CCS services include delivery, collection, decontamination, cleaning, asset management, repair, storage and disposal of a large variety of equipment to assist daily living and palliative care within the community. Emergency 24/7 engineering support is an important element of the CCS service, providing breakdown and repair services to clients who would otherwise be without the equipment essential to maintaining their quality of life.

Clearly the public sector is a key sector for Fannin. ‘We work closely and tirelessly with hospitals, primary and community care, GPs, pharmacists and other public healthcare professionals to ensure our customers have the assurance and confidence to deliver the best care possible during the patient journey,’ says Harry Keenan, Group Managing Director.

Fannin’s long-term strategy is to increase their range of own-brand products in order to deliver to their customers products of the highest quality at a highly competitive price. With the backing of DCC, one of Ireland’s largest PLCs, Fannin have the financial strength to sustain and develop a business which is underpinned by their dedicated workforce.

‘We continually strive to innovate and lead the way in technology driven pharmaceutical and medical device solutions to meet customer needs, becoming the partner of choice in helping achieve excellence of care across the patient journey,’ says Keenan ‘Helping people live healthier and happier lives is at the heart of everything we do.’

‘We continually strive to innovate and lead the way in technology driven pharmaceutical and medical device solutions to meet customer needs, becoming the partner of choice in helping achieve excellence of care across the patient journey,’ Patrick Tehan, Sales Director, Fannin Pharmaceuticals Ireland, accepting the award on behalf of Fannin Ltd

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Horner APG G

Centrepoint, C Centre Park Road, Cork, Ireland Ireland 4321-266 Fax: +353 21 4321-826 Tel: +353 21 4 4 www.horner-apg.com www.horner-apg.com Email: sales@horner-apg.com sales@ @horner-apg.com

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Design & Manufacture of Factory Automation Control Solutions

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Horner APG Europe Excellence in Design & Manufacture of Factory Automation Control Solutions

In 1997, the IoT (Internet of Things) was unheard of and automation was mostly in standalone factory production of product. There were many suppliers in the market selling standalone PLC’s and IO. The focus was on Human Machine Interface (HMI) and Input/Outputs (IO) units linked to machines. Horner APG developed an all-in-one product – Operator Control System (OCS) with one configuration software and protocols to talk to many different networks and machines.

geographical limits, and an open system for object identification and authentication. “Some aspects of numbering are already addressed in the 2016 review of the EU telecoms rules. Horner has worked with European customers to understand their needs and developed a Web based Automation Portal to manage data from business applications. It also allows the user to create a website with data being pushed to the web from many devices for subsequent data analysis on an aggregate basis.

Horner APG, located in Cork, have been in business for 20 years and in 2017, customer requirements are very different. “Customers are looking for networked controllers via the web and the IoT, also called Factory 4.0, and is assumed as part of the solution. IoT refers to the networking of physical machines by using embedded actuators, sensors and other devices that can collect or transmit information about the machines,” explains CEO Brenda Cooper. “The information is collected from these devices instead then analysed to optimize, service and produce products, processes and services.”

“It supports two-way communications to control and manage via the web from any internet connection or device. Product and process optimization can be achieved and modifications made over the web thus reducing the need to be onsite to effect improvements.”

It is fair to say that Horner embraces innovation and are worthy winners of the Public Sector Magazine Design & Manufacture of Factory Automation Control Solutions Award, 2018.

IoT allows worldwide communication and enables the service and product markets delivering support to areas of energy, water, heating, security, food and managing services including technical support. IoT systems allow for the creation and control of smart environments. Technologies such as RFIDs (Radio Frequency Identification) and robotics are key enablers. Data capture, control and modeling with big data analysis and automation allows industry to remain flexible and competitive.

According to Ms Cooper, recycling of water and energy management is key in the competitive process for most manufacturing companies and can be easily managed via today’s automation tools. Information via ‘Big Data’ is helping business manage proactively with minimal resources globally. “Data has become an asset, similar to human or financial resources and is allowing innovation in technology and development of new products and process,” she explains. “Weather, transport, health, energy and banking data is instantly available on mobile phones to support key personal and business decisions.”

The figures are impressive. The growth of mobile technology is supporting this IoT growth which is estimated by the European commission to be one trillion Euro in 2020.

The growth of sensor technology has supported IoT technology development with the declining sensor price and advanced sensor technologies and evolution of high-speed networking technologies.

Ms Cooper says that it is important to promote an interoperable IoT numbering space for a universal object identification that transcends

173

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OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellent in Transport Services

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Irish Coaches - 32CC Excellence in Transport Services

Irish Coaches-32CC is a unique, unmatched, unrivalled company consortium in the private bus coach sector. Licenced by the Department of Transport for the international carriage of passengers, it operates its own vehicles alongside members of the quality network. It chose Designated Activity Company (DAC) status to best serve both its extensive customer and supplier base both in Ireland and overseas.

Founded in 2006 by majority shareholder Dรณnal Hughes, MD and Executive Director Sandra Curtin, Fรกilte Ireland approved their business plans and in conjunction with Tourism Ireland, their overseas marketing plans were approved and implemented.

Advertising domestically and overseas has brought in new business for the group and its members. Trade promotional trips in many overseas markets has attracted new business and new Indian/ Chinese air services will further boost coach business.

Prior to this time, from 1997 to 2005, Dรณnal had worked closely with two major private coach owners Pat Barton (Maynooth) and Dermot Cronin (Cork and Dublin) bringing to them not only coach hire but also good BES tax relief on their own investments and that of other non-coach investors.

The company has also made loan investments in the Irish Whiskey Corner and Sea Cruises Connemara, operating a cruise ship in Killary Harbour (the only Fjord in Ireland), a ship on the Liffey, a cruise canal boat on the Grand Canal and managing the Jeanie Johnston Famine Ship on the River Liffey. Your group or club could enjoy these facilities by booking centrally with Irish Coaches-32CC.

The new company post 2006 attracted over 50 private coach operators from the 4 provinces of Ireland looking for new work while also enjoying revenue approved tax relief.

The new cash investments of approximately j1m+ are now efficiently managed to distribute new coach hire work to the member/shareholders operating their own bus/coach companies in the four provinces across all thirty-two counties of Ireland. A bus/ coach fleet of over 50 vehicles is used to service customer demand domestically in Ireland and from overseas tourist markets. Irish Coaches-32CC has grown turnover to over j1.4m per year.

Tourism is predicted to grow for Ireland with or without Brexit and plans are afoot to have the 32CC network maintain their winning status in the transport and tourism sectors.

Representatives in receipt of The Public Sector Magazine are invited to make contact on any group activities requiring group transport.

Quality transport at competitive prices will be available from an expert team in their regional bases or from central office.

Domestically customers of Irish Coaches-32CC and its members are both public and private. The former includes school transport services, inter-city express service and charter services for conference and social clubs.

McGinley Coaches in Donegal operate a schedule of approved daily services to/from Donegal and similarly Kearns Coaches to/from Birr in County Offaly and Carolan Coaches to/from County Meath.

Overseas Irish Coaches-32CC services tour groups from many international tourism generating countries such as North America, Europe, Middle East and Far East. Close co-operation with Fรกilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland has assisted 32CC and its subsidiary Hello Ireland Tours (HIT) to promote Ireland abroad.

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Making Business Easier Sending parcels shouldn’t be hard, with Fastway it couldn’t be easier. » » » » »

Simple pricing model Online signature as Proof of Delivery Full parcel tracking No hidden costs Insurance included

To learn how Fastway can help take the hassle out of sending parcels or documents, contact Fastway today.

www.fastway.ie

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Supply Chain Solutions Firm of the Year

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Fastway employ over 210 support staff in Administration, Finance, Sales, Marketing, IT, Operations and Customer Service/ Support.

The company is a franchise organisation, which operates three international sorting hubs in Portarlington, Dublin and Antrim. “We operate out of nine regions with a total of 18 depots with over 360 individual courier franchisees operating in exclusive territories across the country,” explains Danny Hughes, Chief Strategy Officer.

“Fastway Couriers operate a local and national next day delivery service as well as various deliveries and return solutions for many of the UK’s top ecommerce companies.”

The public sector is an important growth market for Fastway Couriers which offers a number of features which have proved popular with clients in this segment. “I feel the public sector should be classified as an important sector for all businesses,” says Hughes. If you look at almost every community and town in Ireland, there will be a public sector business, providing employment and services to local people. This is just like Fastway. Our courier franchisees often live and socialise in their own territories and also provide services to local businesses and individuals.

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Fastway Couriers

The rapidly expanding franchise courier company, Fastway Couriers offer a cost effective, reliable courier service, supported by the latest computer technology and online parcel tracking facilities – which has made the service an increasingly popular option for public sector organisations.

Since Fastway was established in Ireland in 2002, the company has grown into a nationally recognised brand, providing a unique pre-paid, next day local and nationwide, parcel collection and delivery service to over 20,000 businesses throughout Ireland and Northern Ireland. Beginning in New Zealand in 1983, it is now established in four countries worldwide (New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Ireland), operating from 130 locations with over 1600 Courier Franchisees.

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TRACK AND DELIVER

Supply Chain Solutions Firm of the Year

additional 150 courier franchisee opportunities around the country to ensure the continued growth of Fastway Couriers.

“To date, we’re delighted to let you know that we’ve recruited over 45 positions with the remaining coming on board over the next few months,” says Hughes. “We’re also rolling out new software across our handheld scanners to put more control back in the hands of our customers, allowing them to choose where and when they want to receive their parcels. This upgraded technology will work hand in hand with the deployment of new customer service software.

Customers can now submit an online parcel enquiry, allowing our team to respond to enquiries more efficiently.

“Our message to the public sector is that Fastway is here to help you meet your logistics needs. Our national network delivers to every inch of Ireland the next working day with full tracking and signature capture. Our simple pricing structure makes Fastway really easy to use, and is uniquely operated by your own ‘personal’ courier franchisee who’ll call to you at the same time each day. It really couldn’t be easier. Fastway Couriers is set up to take the hassle out of parcel delivery and make business easier for our clients.”

“A key aspect of our service for the public sector is our tracking and signature capture. We know it is important for our public sector clients to have visibility of the parcel at all times and to have a record of when the parcel was delivered and who signed for it,” says Hughes.

“The pre-paid nature of our services is another feature that has been very much welcomed by our public sector clients as it allows for greater control over costs. Clients know exactly how much it will cost to get parcels delivered anywhere in Ireland up front, so can allocate this to budgets more accurately.”

A significant development programme is currently underway and a massive recruitment drive has been in place over recent months with the aim of providing an

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MANAGING RISK FINDING SOLUTIONS ADDING VALUE WITH EVERY PROJECT.

IRELAND’S MOST SUCCESSFUL ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONSULTANCY.

EXPERIENCED STAFF, ATTENTION TO DETAIL, EXCELLENCE IN EVERYTHING WE DO

SETTING THE STANDARD FOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL PRACTICE.

SECTORS • TRANSPORT • WATER • ENERGY • EXTRACTION • INDUSTRIAL • COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL

IAC ARCHAEOLOGY IS PROUDLY CELEBRATING 20 YEARS IN BUSINESS.

IAC IS AN AWARD WINNING ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND BUILT HERITAGE CONSULTANCY WITH OFFICES IN WICKLOW, BELFAST & BIRMINGHAM. WE PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF HERITAGE SERVICES TO PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTOR CLIENTS BOTH NORTH AND SOUTH OF THE BORDER. HEAD OFFICE ROI

BELFAST OFFICE

BIRMINGHAM OFFICE

Unit G1, Network Enterprise Park, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow.

EIRCODE: A63 KT32 TEL: 01 2018380 EMAIL: archaeology@iac.ie

9 Stranmillis Road, Belfast, BT9 5AF. TEL: 0044 2890 683136 EMAIL: archaeologybelfast@iac.ie

1 Victoria Square Hill Street Birmingham B1 1BD UK TEL: 0044 121 616 0138 EMAIL: archaeologybelfast@iac.ie

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Archaeological Services & Solutions

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IAC ARCHAEOLOGY

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Irish Archaeological Consultancy Excellence in Archaeological Services and Solutions

IAC Archaeology provides archaeological advice and services to the development sector, both public and private.

“We are involved at all stages in the development life-cycle from preplanning to design and construction,” explains Managing Director, Rob Lynch. “Our role is to provide professional advice to our clients, to assess the potential archaeological risks to a project and to develop pragmatic and flexible mitigation measures to ensure the minimum impact on the archaeology while ensuring the minimum disruption and cost to the project.

include the design and development of Metro North, N6 Galway Outer Bypass, Foynes to Limerick Road Scheme, the M11 and N25 PPP projects. Current projects for Irish Water include the Eastern and Midlands Region Water Supply Project which will be the first major comprehensive upgrade to Ireland’s “New Source” infrastructure in the region in over 60 years, the Upper Liffey Valley Sewerage Scheme (UVLSS) as well as numerous smaller water projects.

“For example, we would be engaged at design stage for major infrastructural projects such as roads, pipeline and transmission projects.

We would identify the main archaeological constraints and provide advice on how best to mitigate any impact on them,” he says.

Lynch concludes by saying that the key message to clients in the public sector, in particular those with responsibility for planning and developing construction projects, would be to make to sure to consider the archaeological risks to your projects at an early stage. Early risk identification and planning minimises any potential delays and costs which may be caused. In order to achieve this, it is essential that at the outset, you engage an experienced and well-resourced archaeological company that will work closely with you, provide you with good advice and good solutions to any archaeological issues you may encounter.

As Ireland’s largest provider of archaeological services, IAC have a large team of 60 archaeologists that can also be deployed to site at pre-construction or construction stage of a project to investigate and excavate any archaeological sites that might be affected by a project.

The core philosophy is based around early engagement with clients, to anticipate problems before they happen and to provide pragmatic solutions to archaeological risk.

IAC provide a wide range of services to the public sector. These range from consultancy services and specialist inputs into Environmental Impact Assessments on projects such as the N6 Galway Outer Bypass and the Greater Dublin Drainage Scheme, to archaeological investigations and excavations on major infrastructural projects such as, most recently, the N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin Road Scheme in Sligo and the M7 Osberstown Interchange and R407 Sallins Bypass in Kildare and the redevelopment of a number courthouses as part of the Courts Bundle PPP Project. Increasingly IAC are providing more geophysical surveys and historic building/industrial archaeology assessments to clients in the public sector.

Public sector work is of vital importance to IAC Archaeology and it has been the foundation upon which the business has been built. “Our work on the construction of the inter-urban road network, on projects such as the M3, M4, N11, M6, N9-10 help us build up our company’s capacity and management systems,” explains Lynch. “We have been able to rollout the expertise we acquired on these projects to our work in other sectors. In particular, it has facilitated our expansion into the UK where we are working on major projects such as High-Speed Rail 2 (HS2).

Work within the public sector is very structured, with well-developed archaeological specifications and contracts in place. These high standards have raised the quality of work within our company and across the commercial archaeology sector as a whole.”

As the flow of work has increased within the public sector so too has IAC’S work pipeline. Within the transport sector current projects

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5

reasons to Foster

1

Make a positive difference

2

Help children feel safe and secure

3

Enable children to achieve their full potential

4

Develop children’s self esteem and sense of pride

5

Support children to face their future with confidence

To find out more about becoming a foster parent ring (01) 8665291 or visit fiverriversfostering.ie

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Supporting Families

FOSTERING EXCELLENCE

Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Five Rivers Ireland Excellence in Supporting Families

Five Rivers Ireland is an independent fostering organisation whose main objective is to be a leading provider of high-quality foster care services.

In 2002 Five Rivers Ireland set out on a journey towards becoming the first Independent Fostering Agency in the Republic of Ireland. The goal was to build on the strong tradition of caring that exists in Ireland and to recruit and support families of all kinds who can care for children and young people with a wide range of needs. Fifteen years on, the organisation has grown with over one hundred foster families across the country from a wide range of backgrounds as are the children and young people who are cared for.

“Our philosophy is to provide as normal an environment as possible for children and young people who cannot live with their own families,” explains Managing Director Deirdre McDonagh. “We recognise that each young person is an individual with talents and qualities as well as difficulties and problems that are unique to them. We aim to tailor each placement to suit the needs of the child or young person being cared for.

“We recruit, train and support foster families. We have a range of supports including education, therapy, counselling and psychology support to help foster families and the children and young people in their care. Each family has a dedicated social worker to support them and families also have access to 24hr on call support.”

Five Rivers foster families provide a range of different types of care including emergency, short term, long term and respite care. The children who need to be cared for vary from ages 0-18 and come from many different backgrounds. Placements are also provided for young parents with their babies.

Foster care is extremely important to the child protection system in Ireland as it is the most common form of alternative care when a child/young person needs to come into care. In this regard Five Rivers works closely with state agency Tusla.

“It is vital that foster families receive good support and that they are well trained and properly vetted,” McDonagh says.

“This is to ensure that children will be safe and that their needs can be met.”

Five Rivers is continuing to develop and expand on its foster care services. This includes developing a system to care for children with more complex needs.

Five Rivers is always looking to recruit new foster carers.

Anybody who would like to become a foster carer can find out more on their website www.fiveriversireland.ie

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Kings Laundry is the most comprehensive linen and laundry service provider in Ireland.

The company operates two facilities in Ireland. One in Dublin and second, the recently opened Cork facility, the most modern in Europe.

We are the largest supplier to the Irish private healthcare and hospitality sector, servicing over two million pieces of laundry each week.

We are also proud to have the Beacon Clinic as one of our clients.

www.kingslaundry.com

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Public Sector Linen & Laundry

FIT FOR A KING

Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Kings Laundry Best Linen & Laundry to Public Sector

Kings Laundry is a leading supplier of linen and laundry services for the healthcare and hospitality sector throughout Ireland.

As a major supplier to the HSE, the company is committed to quality improvement and infection control. Cleanliness and comfort are paramount requirements of any hospital stay and Kings Laundry continues to provide an industry-leading service to ensure optimal hygiene and health provisions to Ireland’s hospitals and healthcare providers.

delivery turnaround. This cuts out the need for telephone calls and allows customers easy access to previous orders. We also launched an app that allows immediate feedback to our customer service team. It helps address any issues our customers might have,” McGovern said.

Kings Laundry, based in Dublin and Cork, has grown steadily over recent years. The company saw turnover increase in 2016 by 20%, a fantastic achievement in a competitive market. With a client base of over 350 customers, Kings Laundry is a market leader in Ireland and indeed Europe for linen and laundry services. According to Rob McGovern, Managing Director, “We are very fortunate to have solid steady growth in corporate, healthcare and hospitality sectors.

This ensures stability year-round and also peak productivity during summer and winter months”.

While processes are streamlined by software and technology and stock is forecasted to ensure accurate levels for clients, Kings Laundry places great value in the ‘on the ground’ support and quality assurance conducted by their team of over 300 people in Ireland.

As the company continues to grow and develop, they look forward to continuing their important relationship with the public sector and they are delighted to be recognised by the sector as best linen and laundry provider.

McGovern believes that although an improving economy and seasonal trends can sway and alter demand, quality can never be compromised. “Working with the healthcare sector and indeed the entire public sector, we are aware of the demands for the highest possible quality and efficiency. It is crucial that the laundry we provide and process is not only cleaned to the highest hygienic standard, it also has to be fresh, crisp and new, and we need to deliver on price as well as quality.

“Our contribution to patient healthcare takes a holistic approach – that is to say we believe that while hygiene is a non-negotiable, patients also need to be comfortable during their hospital stay. Laundry and linen therefore pays an important role and we are delighted to play our part in contributing to the best patient care available.”

The company continue to reinvest spending ¤5m each year in new linen. It sources all of its own raw materials in Egypt, Pakistan and Turkey, sourcing from the best linen producers in the world.

Kings Laundry is very proud of their reputation as the most competitively priced provider in the market. Operating in a price sensitive sector means that the company is not only competitive in terms of price, it also needs to be a leader and innovator in delivery, service and quality. A progressive use of new technology proves an integral part of the competitive edge that Kings Laundry has, as it makes way for greater efficiency and productivity, that leads to cost savings for customers.

As with most other industries, the benefits of technological innovation cannot be ignored. To this end, the company launched two apps to help clients streamline their business. “Our apps are good tools for clients, one is an instant order app, with a 24-hour

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Cafes - Bistro - Catering

Our food speaks for itself

For dinner, home catering or functions of any size events@brambles.ie 014685000 www.brambles.ie

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Home & Event Catering

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Brambles Excellence in Home & Event Catering

A brand synonymous with quality, Brambles is an Irish family business established

by Ciaran and Maeve Reid in 1998 in the old Dundrum Shopping Centre.

The popularity of Brambles in Dundrum has seen the company expand steadily and today they operate over 20 daytime cafes, a bistro restaurant in Terenure and a sought-after event catering operation.

Operating from a centralised artisan kitchen and bakery operation in Dublin, a team of highly trained chefs and bakers provide both traditional and innovative options to the very highest standards.

Daily deliveries ensure this quality is available fresh for its customers.

Brambles operate the cafe concessions in several public service heritage sites, visitor centres and parks. These include the three National Museum sites in Kildare Street, Collins Barracks and Turlough Park, Mayo. Their largest partnership is with the Office of Public Works with whom they operate the café’s in Pearse Museum, Rathfarnham Castle, Farmleigh House, Brú na Bóinne, Oldbridge (Battle of the Boyne), Ceide Fields, the Botanic Gardens, Kilmacurragh and Kilmainham Gaol. Other public sector café operations include the National Gallery and the cafes in Marlay Park and Cabinteely Park, which are under the remit of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

will ensure a continuity to meet all requirements from the small to the large, from traditional to new innovations, and from informal to formal,” explains Ciaran Reid. “Changing customer awareness and preferences have presented us with a great opportunity to continue innovating. Our range will continue to expand with innovation, different world cuisines and expanded options to meet dietary requirements including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan.

In addition, to ensure our growing business is properly supported, we’ve invested in our operations, finance and marketing functions.”

Having grown the business through an attention to detail, and a focus on delivering the highest quality food and service for every customer, Ciaran and Maeve Reid remain at the heart of their family business. A hands-on approach in the day to day management and the training of new staff ensure that the foundations on which the business started, have remained at its core as it has grown.

Commenting Maeve says: “After more than twenty years Brambles remains as committed as ever to serving and growing our public service partnerships. New staff continue to be trained in all aspects of the business ensuring that whether it be events or café operations, Brambles will deliver food and service of the highest standard.”

According to the Reids, running a concession in a public amenity or tourist attraction requires a unique approach to each site, not only in terms of branding but also in terms of tweaking a menu.

Brambles are always mindful of this and ensure the different needs of the international visitor to Brú na Bóinne and the families visiting suburban parks are equally met.

Equally as important they say, is the provision of function and event catering in all the sites in which they operate and beyond. “We work with all government departments including Department of An Taoiseach, catering for anything from a small business lunch for a government minister with visitors, to a formal state dinner.”

Managing two separate businesses (cafes and events) provides the flexibility needed to meet the differing requirements of each public sector request. “Having a pool of experienced staff in our cafes enables Brambles ramp up to service functions of any size, without resorting to agency staff. This provides an assurance to public service leaders managing significant events, that they have staff at their disposal who are familiar with the event locations and experienced in the protocols required.”

Looking to the future Brambles is looking forward to many more years of co-operation with partners in the public service. “Our public service café concessions, our high street locations and our event catering business, all run from our artisan kitchen and bakery

Cillian Reid - Operations Manager and Niamh Carrol - Events Manager

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the taxi app

Download from the app stores and use promo code psector for â‚Ź10 off your first trip

Pink is the new yellow

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Best Taxi App

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Flag Taxis Excellence in Travel — Best Taxi App

NUI Galway college graduate launches a unique new app which is set to revolutionise the taxi market.

Founder David Knox who was one of the men behind the success of Hailo here in Ireland has set out to recreate what was rudely destoyed roughly a year ago. Flag was previously known as Dash which was set up in university

by NUI Galway graduate Richie Commins. Richie travelled the country partnering with taxi companies to ad the extra layer of safety he designed onto existing taxi platforms in university cities. Before the two became acquinted, Richie got in touch with George Grama, who has experience developing taxi apps and raising Venture Capitalist funding before scaling across Europe. The three merged together to create Flag the Taxi app.

Flag, the latest taxi app designed by NUI Galway graduate Richie Commins was launched at the beginning of this year and is the first to allow passengers to travel and pay their taxi fare without a phone, cash or bank card, while ensuring the driver still gets paid. To date, the Flag app has been focussed on the Dublin region but will shortly be rolled out across the rest of the country.

The idea for Flag evolved from a similar student taxi app called Dash, which Commins developed while in his final year of Business Information Studies at NUI Galway. George Grama and Richie Commins This provided the prototype for the development the Flag app and Commins assembled a team of business graduates and hopefully all taxis will soon be branded with the safety it brings.” and engineers with taxi industry experience in the US and Romania to upgrade the software into the current version which combines James Maguire of the Irish Taxi Drivers Federation has also praised superior safety features, times, pinpoint location, tracking, and the app. “We were incredibly impressed with the app. Not only does accurate ‘estimated time of arrival’, as well as extra safety features it work well, it will allow drivers to pick up passengers that may have such as the wallet-less payment. Users simply register on the found themselves in an unfortunate situation. It’s fantastic to be able app, download a photo and choose a four-digit pin to secure their to give the kind of support to both drivers and passengers, and we account. If your phone battery is dead, you simply need to hail a taxi are proud to support the app,” he said. and tell the driver your name and your four-digit PIN which they can verify on the driver’s version of the app. The driver will then have Commins was delighted to receive the support of the Federation access to your profile photo to prove the passenger’s identity and which he says will enhance the roll out and take-up of the app. the payment will be processed by the user’s pre-registered card.

“Getting the Irish Taxi Drivers Federation on board was great as it means drivers can pop into their office to collect car stickers,” he said.

Commins hopes that by working with a large pool of drivers the Flag app will make the passengers experience even better. A pink ‘Flag’ “But the best approach for us in getting so many drivers pre-launch sticker will be placed on taxis to let passengers know the driver was the decision to let them use the app free for a few months so provides the service. they can be pleasantly surprised with how well it works.

The app has been endorsed by the Irish Taxi Drivers Federation alongside Enterprise Ireland, Nissan, AIB and An Garda Síochána who approved of the app through the Campus Watch initiative. Crime prevention officer Sergeant Pat Flanagan said: “The taxis that have integrated this app have really shown they care about passengers,

“Our main focus has been drivers but passengers have already been downloading the app in droves and we are very encouraged and excited about the potential of the Flag app. Our unique Flag Pin Pay ensures not only safe travel but accessible travel in every situation.”

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Maintain a competitive edge and attract new business Implementation of Standards provide Irish businesses with tangible benefits that increase the efficiency of operations and help them compete on the global market.

Discover the benefits of using Standards for yourself at: www.nsai.ie/Management-Systems www.nsai.ie/Standards

Contact NSAI Tel 01 807 3800 Email info@nsai.ie Follow @NSAI_Standards

NSAI - 1 Swift Square, Northwood, Santry, Dublin 9 D09 A0E4 | T +353 1 807 3800 | E info@nsai.ie | @NSAI_Standards NSAI and the NSAI Logo are registered trademarks of NSAI

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Promotion & Developing Business

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Standards are also significant business tools for public and private organisations of all sizes. They can be used to fine-tune performance and manage risks while operating in more efficient and sustainable ways; they also allow organisations to demonstrate the quality of what they do to their customers.

The standards environment is continually evolving to address requirements for innovation, emerging technologies and processes.

Where a standard already exists, NSAI works with organisations and businesses to help them apply it. Where a standard may be needed, NSAI will work with relevant parties at national or international level to create and develop the appropriate standard.

NSAI improves the performance of public sector organisations, Irish businesses, and also protects consumers through the setting of standards and issuing of certification for processes and products. It provides a comprehensive range of services, enabling organisations to demonstrate that their product or service conforms to the highest standards.

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 NSAI

Ireland’s official standards body, NSAI (National Standards Authority of Ireland), is responsible for standardisation, conformity assessment and measurement. NSAI helps public and private organisations to demonstrate that their product or service conforms to the highest standards.

Most people may not think about it, but standards and measurements touch every aspect of people’s daily lives; our mobile phones, our washing machines, the cars we drive and the toys our children play with, are all made to specific standards that help ensure they are easy to use, work properly and are as safe as possible.

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KEEPING STANDARDS

Excellence in Promotion and Developing Business Award

Through its network of consultative committee members NSAI acts as the bridge between industry, academia, government and citizens and the development of new standards, whether that’s in ICT, healthcare, construction or energy management.

NSAI is currently organising free Brexit information road shows to take place in January 2019. Experts will be giving advice and information at these road shows on how Brexit is likely to impact on standards and certification and what action can be taken by organisations to mitigate these risks. The NSAI Brexit events will take place in venues right across the country. Full details will be announced shortly on the NSAI website and via Twitter @NSAI Standards.

NSAI’s 2016-2020 Strategic Plan will be coming to a successful close shortly and the team are excited about the initiation in 2019 of NSAI’s new strategic planning process for 2020 – 2023.

“Many of your readers are experts involved in creating standards on our voluntary committees, and we would like to thank them for their continuous guidance. With their help, NSAI published 1490 standards last year, including standards in the areas of construction and manufacturing,” says Larkin. Anyone who would like to find out more, or potentially contribute to the development of standards, can visit the website www.nsai.ie where information on this and all other NSAI activities can be found.

NSAI has a role in encouraging the use of standards. It also works to formulate standards, guides, recommendations and codes of practice applicable to the public and services sectors. It promotes and facilitates participation in the development of standards at national, European and international levels.

NSAI provides internationally recognised certifications for processes or practices and also maintains and ensures access to internationally traceable measurement standards. In addition, it provides high precision measurement calibration services and oversees measurements and measuring instruments used in trade.

The public sector is very important to NSAI. “The diverse nature of our activities mean that we have strong co-regulatory links across government departments and agencies, from the Food Safety Authority to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities,” says Geraldine Larkin, Chief Executive of NSAI. “Our network of standards professionals, which includes public sector representatives, is spread right across the country supporting government objectives in ensuring the development of standards to enable business and economic growth.”

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Accepted at over 500 multi-brand Service Stations

Fuelcard Services

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Fuel Services

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Maxol’s Fuel Card service is designed to give businesses greater control over fuel costs through flexible pricing packages which are tailored to suit business needs using innovative technology to provide security of information and to provide a quality range of products in easily accessible locations. This service is currently used by a large number of companies and government bodies throughout Ireland to control and administer their fuel usage and costs

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Maxol

Maxol is a privately-owned company by the McMullan family and is Ireland’s leading family owned forecourt and convenience retailer. In 2020 the company will celebrate its 100th year in business and today employs directly and indirectly more than 1,500 people across the island of Ireland.

The business offers a wide range of products and services to the Irish and Northern Irish market through its convenience retailing, petroleum offerings, fuel cards and lubricant divisions, and it has a network of 231 service stations, of which 115 are company owned.

Maxol is the winner of many awards including most reputable oil company in Ireland for four consecutive years by Corporate Reputations independent survey, Retailer of the Year by UTV Business Eye Awards, Best Forecourt in Ireland for M3 Mulhuddart, UK Forecourt of the Year for A26 Tannaghmore and Forecourt Retailer of the Year 2017 for Ballycoolin Services Dublin.

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EXEMPLARY SERVICE

Excellence in Fuel Services

Cards to the Public Sector in Northern Ireland for many years, Maxol has extensive knowledge in dealing with large Public Sector organisations and takes great pride in providing a best in class customer experience through its network of independent retailers.”

Maxol continues to invest in Ireland through the acquisition of new sites and by upgrading its network of service stations with a focus on enhancing the overall customer experience through improved services and technology. In the next 18 months over 80 stores will be refreshed, which will see the introduction of ROSA Coffee, Maxol’s new fresh quality coffee to go, an extended range of deli items for breakfast, lunch and evening, the introduction of a range of daily essentials such as milk, water, eggs, snacks and firelighters under the Maxol brand, sourced locally at home.

“At Maxol we understand that businesses and especially fleet owners can ill-afford uncertainty in fuel pricing and quality of fuel explains David Martin, Head of Business Development. “That’s why our National Account Fuel Card holders can fill up at any of our service stations with the confidence of knowing that the agreed price will always be charged to their account.

The National Account Fuel Card is accepted at over 500 service stations throughout Ireland with all transactions verified with PIN technology. Easy online access to account information provides invoice statements and management reporting to help businesses analyse and monitor vehicle and driver performance. “The Public Sector is an important part of Maxol’s existing Fuel Card business and is of strategic importance to the company as we extend our network of service stations,” Martin says.

“As one of the largest suppliers of Fuel

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info@taskforce.ie www.taskforce.ie

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Services to Business Industry

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Taskforce Security Excellence in Services to Business Industry Award

This was achieved during one of the worst recessions, yet the company still managed to achieve turnovers in excess of j2.5 million in the past 3 years.

guarding. In this instance a patrol team will carry out regular/irregular checks of a location, tailored to the client’s requirements to ensure that everything is in order.

The company has demonstrated through its deeds, actions, honesty and reliability and the manner in which it deals with clients that it is here to stay. “Our services are not based on costs alone,” explains Director Richard Condron, “but on how the service is delivered.

It is our mission to provide the best service possible at the most reasonable rate. We are totally customer focused, therefore we never lost a contract due to poor performances or services.”

An opening/lockup service is available whereby Taskforce patrol teams have the duty of opening and closing a client’s premises. It relieves the burden of allocating this duty to a member of staff. “We will ensure that the premises are fully secured before vacating it,” explains Guarding Regional Manager, Jan De Jager. “This also offers the added benefit of weekend openings, combating situations where a key holder can’t be contacted, thus denying access to a location.”

Taskforce Security Management specialise in the provision of uniformed and plain clothes security personnel to the commercial, residential, construction, industrial and educational sectors as well as to business parks and government departments. Services include manned guarding, mobile patrols, key holding, alarm response, opening and lockup of premises, reception and porter duties and facilities management.

Clients can also choose to avail of a key holding and alarm response service. “You can safely entrust our team to respond to an alarm call that needs attending 24/7,” comments Richard Condron. “A full assessment of the location is conducted after such a call. If required, we will liaise with the Emergency Services and keep our client informed all the time.”

Richard explains the importance of service delivery: “our capability is based on our employment philosophies and practices that enables our service excellence and provides the foundation for our service delivery. We also provide a detailed operational structure that will be fundamental in delivering a security service based on best practices.

Our Operations Centre supports this service excellence and further enhances our proven capability to deliver quality solutions to local and national customers.”

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Since its establishment in late 2009 and its first contract in early 2010, Taskforce Security Management Services Ltd has grown from a workforce of 4 to 95 in the space of 7 years.

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SAFE & SECURE WITH TASKFORCE

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“We have also put in place a number of strategic alliances with approved suppliers which allows us to provide a full range of Facilities Management Services.”

Taskforce continue to perform to exceptional levels, customising their services regularly according to client needs, thereby reducing any security risks.

Taskforce Security and their expanding customer base recognise the need for innovation to the traditional provision of security services.

The company’s experience with existing customers confirms their belief that such measures, including the expansion of service provision into related areas, ultimately delivers significant added value.

Citing an example of service quality, Director Richard Condron comments: “As outlined above, we provide manned guarding to several sectors. All our staff are PSA licensed, fully vetted and trained in accordance with the PSA standards and requirements.

Members of our Management team are also fully certified trainers and provide further in-house training on arrests and detention procedures as standard to officers who join our team. In addition, each client’s requirements are unique, therefore additional training is provided to each officer according to the client’s specifications.”

The range of options is extensive. Mobile patrols for example is an alternative package available to clients who do not favour manned

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Giving Life A New Home

Glenveagh

Blackrock, Co. Dublin

Ballbriggan, Co. Dublin

Glenveagh Cluain Adain

Navan, Co. Meath

Navan, Co. Meath Glenveagh, Cluain Adain - Navan, Co. Meath

Glenveagh

www.glenveagh.ie

Glenveagh

Greystones, Co. Wicklow

Glenveagh

Clonee, Co. Meath

Holsteiner Park

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Construction, Public Sector

The Glenveagh vision is backed by a carefully executed strategy. The Group comprises two complementary divisions, Glenveagh Homes and Glenveagh Living.

Glenveagh Homes delivers high quality starter homes to its private customers with selective developments of mid-size and executive houses and apartments in areas of high demand. The business has commenced construction on 12 sites, with 800 units under construction during 2018. Glenveagh Homes has assembled a pipeline of 9,520 units with an impressive 2,000 unit per annum output target by 2023.

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Glenveagh Properties PLC develops and builds starter, mid-size, highend and executive homes, with a focus on the Greater Dublin Area, and the regional hubs of Cork, Galway and Limerick. Ronan McKenna, Sales Director at Glenveagh Properties explains that their vision is about more than just building houses, “Our vision is to build homes and create communities,” he says. The approach of Glenveagh is to design homes that make life better for their customers. “We are community and people-focused, and our developments throughout the Greater Dublin area, Cork, Galway and Limerick seek to meet our customers’ needs within thriving integrated communities,” says McKenna, “We understand that good design makes life easier, more enjoyable and offers longevity in a home.” It is clear that Glenveagh believe in well planned, well designed and well-built homes.

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With more than 800 units under construction in 2018 and a recent IPO under their belt, Glenveagh Properties PLC is looking at a strong year ahead, delivering social, affordable and private housing in the Greater Dublin area, Cork, Galway and Limerick.

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Glenveagh Properties PLC Excellence in Construction to the Public Sector

of Glenveagh’s commitment to the social housing sector in Ireland, which was a key part of our investor message at IPO,” McKenna is keen to point out, “Our relationship with approved housing bodies (AHB’s) and Local Authorities will support us in planning for a pipeline of housing delivery and encourages the delivery of social housing and mixed-tenure schemes.”

Glenveagh have a busy year ahead, where building will commence on four significant new sites: In Kilcock, Co. Kildare, Midleton, Cork, Tyrrelstown, Rush and in Donabate. In addition to this, Glenveagh will continue to roll out new homes on its existing sites. “We will continue to deliver high quality homes to our live sites in the greater Dublin Area and Co. Meath, with new phases coming soon in Taylor Hill, Balbriggan, Cois Glaisin & Cluain Adain in Navan, Cnoc Dubh, Ballyboughal, the previously mentioned Marina Village in Greystones and Proby Place, Blackrock,” says McKenna. Indeed, there was a real buzz about the Glenveagh stand at the recent Construction Jobs Expo in Croke Park where the team at Glenveagh showcased the range of opportunities available at Ireland’s fastest growing homebuilder.

Glenveagh are moving fast and are eager to do business, “We welcome any opportunity to engage with Local Authorities, Government Departments and estate agencies,” says McKenna. And after the successful IPO of 2017 and the significant deals done since then Glenveagh are in an excellent position to do just that.

Glenveagh Living delivers houses and apartments for the public sector and institutional investors. The Partnerships business focuses on mixed-tenure and joint venture opportunities with the public sector in Ireland. The PRS business delivers large-scale private rental product for institutional investors and currently possesses a pipeline of 1,850 units.

The Group has significant operational capabilities with headcount increasing from 85 permanent employees at IPO in 2017 to circa 230 today. Approximately 80% of new recruitment has been in construction, health and safety and commercial departments.

Glenveagh are experienced in public sector housing provision and already deliver housing for the public, including both social and affordable housing. In Marina Village in Greystones Glenveagh are part of a Public Private Partnership (PPP) with Wicklow County Council. The Marina village development is in an enviable waterside location. Perfectly positioned alongside the marina, beaches and village centre, the development features approximately 358 architecturally designed A-rated homes.

“Given the current housing crisis it is imperative for us in Glenveagh to collaborate with the public sector, our work so far is a demonstration

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TAKING OUR BUILT HERITAGEÂ INTO THE 21ST CENTURY

Wexford Courthouse

Services Cons ul ta t i o n, de sign & spe ci fi ca t i o n

Re me di a l s ur vey s

Conden s a ti o n & mou ld so lu t ion s Dr y & Wet rot er adicat ion

Dry rot

Ris i n g d a mp solu t ion s Tim be r t re at m en t s

Rot ec Vo r te x sto ne & brick clea n i ng

Li m e po i nti n g & re nd e ring

Br ea t ha b l e i nt e rior in su la t io n Wa te rpro o f tan king sys t em s Rad on g as c on t rol

Lime rendering

Fi nta n@f f cs . i e / 0 8 7 - 11 9 2 7 4 0 La ur a@f fc s.i e / 08 5 - 1 49 6 297 w w w .f arr e ll do y le c on s er va tio n .ie

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Restoration & Conservation Award

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Farrell Doyle Conservation provide long term remedial solutions centred on dampness in both old and new buildings. While the company’s services are available for all building types, they specialise in buildings of a conservation / heritage nature. The company also provides specification and design services for waterproofing systems.

Excellence in Business Awards 2018 Farrell Doyle Conservation Services Restoration and Conservation Award

implementing the structural waterproofing. Elsewhere, we’re hoping to start on site shortly with main contractors John Paul Construction at the redevelopment of Parliament Hotel.

“Dampness in buildings is a prevalent problem in Ireland, but thanks to changes in conservation technology, we can protect your home against water ingress,” he says. “Where water ingress is causing a problem, it’s our job to find it! When water gets into a building, either from precipitation or vapour, it can create problems such as wet rot, dry rot, rising damp and falling damp for example. We believe in sharing information freely with our clients, empowering our clients to understand the processes and be involved.”

In many ways, the story of Farrell Doyle is a conservation story in itself and the idea of structural integrity, one of the cornerstones of their day to day work practices, lies at the heart of that story.

The company’s founder Fintan Farrell has an unrivalled reputation in the industry for his knowledge and expertise and is descended from generations of stone masons, engineers and construction project managers, so he grew up with this in his blood. Soon after, his daughter Laura joined the business bringing her own construction and conservation qualifications and experience to the table and in 2018, they rebranded the business from Fintan Farrell Conservation Services to Farrell Doyle Conservation. Together, Fintan and Laura exemplify this cornerstone idea of blending traditional building methods with new conservation technologies so as to ensure the longevity of historic buildings for future generations.

The services provided by Farrell Doyle Conservation centre on a number of key components, including façade restoration, structural waterproofing, timber treatments, damp proofing and remedial surveys. The company also offer a free 30-minute phone consultation where clients are invited to discuss the issues and problems which need to be addressed.

“It is Our Mission to ensure that Ireland’s built heritage is capable of meeting modern day needs,” says Laura. “We view each building as a living entity. We understand that when a building is allowed to breathe, it can be preserved, and we know from experience that moisture and dampness hinder a building’s ability to breathe. If there’s water in your building; it’s our job to find it!”

“Our services centre on remedial solutions for your building, explains Fintan Farrell, who established the company in 2011 and boasts over 30 years of experience in conservation services.

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Farrell Doyle Conservation, a company specialising in long term remedial building solutions for both construction professionals and private customers, plays a key role in protecting and conserving Ireland’s built heritage and is a worthy recipient of the 2018 Public Sector Magazine Restoration and Conservation Award.

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A significant proportion of the company’s business involves public sector projects and the company has contributed to the protection and preservation of some of the country’s most historic buildings.

“The public sector is an integral part of our business,” notes Fintan.

“Our public buildings need to stand the test of time and meet our 21st century needs. Correct and regular maintenance will allow these buildings to serve the public for generations to come.”

Current projects include the new student development at UCD where Farrell Doyle Conservation are implementing the structural waterproofing for the development under main contractors JJ Rhatigans.

In the same location it is working on the O’Reilly Hall project, an existing building in UCD which is being brought up to modern standards.

“We are installing a radon gas protection membrane as well as structural waterproofing,” explains Fintan. “Ireland has soil rich in radon gas. This doesn’t pose a problem in the open air but when concentrated indoors, levels can reach unhealthy heights. This project is under main contractors Purcell Construction.

“We’re also currently working on a redevelopment on Shrewsbury road with main contractors GEM construction. Here we are

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Phone: 1890 447 447 g4ssales@ie.g4s.com www.g4s.ie

OUTRIGHT WINNERS Best Fire & Security Systems

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 G4S Fire & Security Best Fire & Security Systems

G4S Fire & Security offer bespoke state-of-the-art fire and security systems designed, tailored and installed specifically for each client using their own in-house design and installation team.

G4S Fire & Security, one of the largest security integrators in Ireland, has been operating in the Irish market for more than 40 years. G4S has a solid base, being part of the Global group ‘G4S Group’ with representation in 94 countries worldwide. G4S offers a full and comprehensive package of bespoke integrated security systems, designed and developed to cater for every individual client’s needs.

“We support a full in-house design and installation team in both the fire and the technical business,” says Allan Crinion, Managing Director, G4S Fire & Security Systems, Ireland. “We have designed major systems for our client base, always catering for their specific, unique requirements and offering a turnkey package to suit all applications.”

Crinion has a strong background in this field, having over 35 years’ experience in the security industry. He now heads up the technical business and is developing new markets while supporting the company’s highly valued existing business with the Office of Public Works (OPW).

Over the 10-year period that Crinion has been with G4S, he has seen the company grow and expand. He has worked closely with the OPW on numerous high profile and high security projects.

Crinion appreciates the professional approach that is taken by the OPW team in developing and rolling out their security systems.

G4S and the OPW have worked closely together to develop new protocols to support the varied buildings and risks, utilising a full range of equipment from very high-end security systems to the everyday systems with which most people would be familiar.

G4S has worked with the OPW for the past 35 years. “We consider the OPW as a major and valued client who has contributed greatly to the growth of the company over the years,” says Crinion.

Indeed, G4S is currently busy on a major project, carrying out a full, integrated CCTV installation for Dáil Éireann. “We are implementing some of the most advanced technology, to provide a sophisticated and user-friendly state-of-the-art surveillance system in this prestigious location.”

Crinion believes the company has been very fortunate to have been chosen as preferred supplier for the OPW and clearly values that position. “It has taken years of service for us to achieve this accreditation and it is something we will work hard to maintain.”

G4S is now in a position to offer full nationwide installations and full 24-hour backup via the 4 separate branches located across Ireland.

This allows them to achieve very efficient response times to any incident, whether fire or technical, countrywide.

“All of us at G4S are extremely honoured to receive the public Sector Award ‘Excellence in Fire & Security Systems’ for 2018,” says Crinion, “and we look forward to bolstering our position as a preferred supplier by ensuring we maintain the level of service and technical support expected by the Office of Public Works.”

G4S Fire and Security supply turnkey packages covering CCTV, access control and intruder and perimeter security. The company has a vast array of agencies to supply the leading brands of CCTV and access control products. They are the largest Gent installer in Ireland and are agents for both the Apollo and the Vesta systems.

G4S also caters for large gas suppression systems, giving the client a one-stop shop for all security and fire requirements. They have a substantial team of professional and experienced staff, with 90 engineers and a team of 12 designers, the majority of whom have been with the company for many years.

G4S has carried out some of the largest installations in Ireland, both commercial and industrial and has a dedicated ‘data hall’ design team to cater for this specific business area. The company has also been working actively with the OPW, catering for the historic and critical buildings that exist in this unique portfolio. “We supply and commission fully integrated packages with fire detection and gas suppression systems to cater for the specialist needs of this valued customer,” says Crinion.

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OUTRIGHT WINNERS Excellence in Payroll & HR Solutions

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Excellence in Business Awards 2018 NGA Human Resources Excellence in HR & Payroll Solutions

NGA Human Resources is a leader in Ireland and the UK in helping organisations to align their people strategy to their business strategy. With many years’ experience here in Ireland NGA have been providing payroll and HR services into the public sector for over 30 years.

NGA Human Resources help clients become better employers through smarter, more streamlined business processes. What sets the company apart, according to Country Manager Simon Garvey, is The NGA Advantage; “a combination of deep HR experience and insight, advanced technology platforms and applications, and a global portfolio of flexible service delivery options.”

NGA Human Resources provide HR and Payroll solutions through a range of deployment options including SaaS and fully managed services. It currently delivers its services to over 350 customers in both public and private sector, including many of Ireland’s Top 100 companies.

“We believe our success is built upon a highly qualified, skilled and specialist staff with strong experience in Irish payroll, HR and T&A legislation” says Garvey. “Furthermore, with our well-proven transition and implementation procedures, along with an efficient and reliable follow-on support service, we ensure our customer expectations are met and exceeded.

“Our customer base across Ireland includes market leaders in several sectors including local authorities, health, universities, logistics, construction, retail, charity, airlines and manufacturing.”

ResourceLink, the company’s flagship product, is an extremely powerful integrated payroll and HR solution designed to help reduce costs, increase flexibility, create extra administrative capacity and support and assist an organisation in providing an enhanced service to their employees.

The solution includes functionality for HR, payroll, recruitment, selfservice, talent, performance and training management, leave and time management, case management, expenses, reporting tools, health and safety, reward solutions and time and attendance.

NGA Human Resources are continually improving ResourceLink and its latest version, ResourceLink 21 which has just been launched. As usual it includes important legislative updates and product enhancements and of particular interest to Irish companies will be the functionality to allow PAYE modernisation to be managed from within the product.

Otherwise, the company is ensuring that all customers are compliant to the latest legislation and ResourceLink 21 incorporates functionality to accommodate PAYE modernisation. “Accommodating the range of changes introduced by Revenue, including pension deductions for public service employees, emergency tax rates and USC thresholds, these changes will impact all organisations that run an Irish payroll,” says Garvey.

“We’re taking modules within ResourceLink to the next level. Leave management for example, will have streamlined processes and we have made enhancements to the user experience so that it delivers a seamless absence life cycle which in turn reduces the need of manual intervention by your payroll/HR resources.”

NGA Human Resources have been in Ireland in various guises now for well over 30 years and have been successfully providing payroll and HR solutions and services to both the private and public sector for that time. “We have, here in Ireland been leaders on many key subjects which are important to Irish organisations. At present PAYE modernisation and gender pay would be two, and we welcome the opportunity to talk to government departments and public organisations about our views on these and how they might be best managed within your organisation.

We’d love to speak to you about the challenges you are having with your HR and payroll functions within your organisation and see if we can be of any help. Just give us a call.”

According to Garvey, the company has enjoyed considerable success in recent years in its engagement with the public sector, both south and north of the border. “Obviously, as the largest employer in the state, it’s of great interest to us purely from a commercial standpoint but we know our ResourceLink solution is of interest and is relevant to this important sector based upon our recent successes, and we believe our specific approach to the public sector is adding value and benefit.` “Our staff have a deep understanding of the public sector within Ireland and we are dedicated to ensuring that we cater for their HR and payroll needs. We are equipped to deal with the varying complexities within the public sector and ensure that thousands of public sector employees are paid accurately and on time.”

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Advertising Feature

Game changing solutions through ResourceLink Some of the reasons why ResourceLink 21 is the most advanced, integrated and insightful HR and Payroll solution in the UK and Ireland.

Innovation

Productivity

Legislation

Services

The first phase of the intelligent ResourceLink Assistant will alert, spot patterns and complete transactions for users, on their device of choice.

Full pensions modernisation and complete compliance, saving you time and cutting complexity.

Introduce new functionality to meet a range of changes introduced by Revenue including pension deductions for public service employees, emergency tax rates, USC thresholds to name a few.

Features training for your HR team, combined with full alignment to your best practices.

ResourceLink assistant

MyForms

A new and improved forms capability that is intuitive, engaging and reportable, that will further accelerate the digitisation of the workplace and increase efficiency.

Interactive Payslips

Gives your employees a whole new way of looking at their pay, including interactive graphics and pay comparisons.

Auto enrolment

Leave management

Easily configure, maintain, pay and record all aspects of absence in line with your specific business policies.

Irish Legislation Update

Parental leave

All parental leave-related tasks, all in one place. Easy to find and easy to use.

Training services

We can train up nominated super users on all things ResourceLink, becoming your in-house guru.

Health check

Reduce paper, incidents and inefficiencies and enhance HR’s rep in your company with our support.

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Make sure your system is operating at peak performance, at all times.

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Integrates Lieu and Flexi transactions and work patterns with rosters to support the accrual and management of all absence types.

Contact us to find out more on

(01) 481 4300

or email us at

hrsolutions@ngahr.com

To find out more information visit

www.ngahr.ie

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