Galway Bay FM News Archives
IDA pays out €1.2m a year to Galway landlords for empty factories
Date Published: 23-Mar-2011
Six well-known business people – including a NAMA developer – are among the Galway landlords who received almost €1.2 million in rent from the IDA during 2010 for vacant industrial units, according to figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.
In fact, of the €7.6 million paid out by the IDA last year for all their rented units around Ireland (occupied and vacant), the Galway business people benefitted to the tune of more than €2.35 million – around one-third of the total lease payments.
One of the landlords – who earned almost €127,000 last year – is Paddy Sweeney from Loughrea, one of the country’s biggest developers, whose loans have been transferred to the National Asset Management Agency.
All of the IDA leases were signed for a period of 35 years and were put in place in the early 1980s.
In total, there were 73 leases nationally between the IDA and private landlords in place in 2010 – and fifteen of these are with Galway business people.
The document released under the Freedom of Information Act to thestory.ie – a website dedicated to transparency in the public sector – details the addresses of all the units, the lease commencement date, the name of the landlord company and whether or not the premises is occupied.
The IDA, however, did not provide details on what rent was paid to them by any eventual tenants of these units, or who ultimately are the beneficial owners of the landlord companies.
Of the €2.35m paid to Galway companies in 2010, almost €1.2m was for vacant units.
See who are landlords are in this week’s Connacht Tribune.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
Galway has a population of young people which is more than twice the national average.
According to information gathered by the Central Statistics Office, Galway’s population of 20 to 24 year olds is more than twice the national average.
The number of 25-34 year olds in Galway is also more than the norm nationally, with the two main colleges thought to be the main reason.
However immigration in Galway is much higher than in other areas at 19.4 percent, compared to the national average of 12 percent.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
A city councillor is encouraging people to donate goods directly to charity shops.
It follows allegations of thefts from clothes banks in Galway and across the country in recent months.
However, cameras are in place at some clothes banks and surveillance is carried out by local authorities.
Speaking on Galway Talks, Councillor Neil McNeilis said the problem of theft from clothes banks is widespread.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
A park ‘n’ ride scheme from Carnmore into Galway city could become a permanent service if there is public demand.
That’s according to the Chief Executive of Galway Chamber of Commerce, Michael Coyle.
The pilot scheme will begin at 7.20 next Monday morning, May 13th.
Motorists will be able to park cars at the airport carpark in Carnmore and avail of a bus transfer to Forster Street in the city.
Buses will depart every 20 minutes at peak times and every 30 minutes at offpeak times throughout the day, at a cost of 2 euro per journey.
Families queue up for school’s offer of free house
West has lower cancer survival rates than rest
Galway minors continue to lay waste to all opponents
Gardaí and IFA issue a joint appeal on summer road safety
Marathon Man plans to call a halt – but not before he hits 160 races
