Government signs off on €420,000 grant cap for Mica redress scheme

Cabinet ministers have signed off on a €420,000 cap on a revised mica scheme.

Homeowners of mica-affected homes will be able to seek redress from the State of up to €420,000, minister for housing Darragh O’Brien announced today.

See the full article in the link below 👇👇

https://bit.ly/3I6OzRy

Professional Indemnity Insurance in Ireland

Aidan O’Connell – Looking to find out how other engineering practices are finding the renewal of PI insurance this year. For the last two years we have seen out premium increase by more than 150% with a drop in turnover and no claims or claims history. Whilst we look for renewal terms months in advance, we are told that the insurance companies are short staffed or will not look at the policy until a few days before the renewal date.
I know ENGINEERS IRELAND have been highlighting this issue for the last year but the situation has only continued to get worse and worse. 2 years ago our premium was bad. Now it is simply MAD and unsustainable. We have the situation where a Bank is looking for 6.5 million cover from an engineer overseeing the construction of a single dwelling being built for less than 400,000. If you are going to sign off mortgage drawdowns for such a house, 6.5m is insane. The time has come to tell the robbing banks to get lost and remember who bailed them out. No couple will be able to get an engineer to sign off on a house going forward. Our company will be withdrawing from this service if these premiums continue.
All fire safety matters have now also been withdrawn from engineering policies. For those that might get cover, then we are seeing enormous premiums at many multiples of previous levels. It is little surprise that cover is now being refused for repairing Mica houses in Donegal. Perhaps it is time for the government or Engineers Ireland to set up a single policy scheme for engineers in the same way that solicitors, physiotherapists and many other professions do as well. It seems that engineers are lagging way behind as usual. Heads up all. Time for us to get pro-active and vocal. #PIInsurance #engineering #ireland

New Forensic Fire Investigation Unit @ AOCA

We are delighted to announce that AOCA now has a Forensic Fire Investigation Unit. The new Unit will be managed by Brendan Ringwood.

Brendan joins AOCA boasting a wealth of experience in forensic fire investigation in the domestic, industrial and commercial sectors.

Brendan holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and a post-graduate diploma in Business and IT. He also holds a post-graduate certificate in Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, and he is a member of Engineers Ireland.

Brendan possesses over 12 years of experience in the Forensic Fire Investigation field, and he has worked with well-established firms in Ireland, investigating over 800 fire/engineering related losses.

Brendan has carried out Fire Forensic Investigations on behalf of all of the major loss-adjusting and insurance companies operating in Ireland – and he has ample experience in liaising with members of An Garda Síochána and the Fire Service.

Civil/Structural Engineering Technician

Job Function:

Civil/Structural Engineering Technician

Employment type:

Full Time

Company industry:

Civil/Structural Engineering, Residential & Commercial Developments.

Seniority level:

Entry-Level

Skills:

Engineering drawing and detailing, Site inspections/Surveys, ability to work alone or in a group, Full Driving licence.

Education:

Diploma/Degree in Civil/Structural Engineering (or similar), preferably with 1-2 years’ post graduate experience.

Job description:

The Role will include but is not limited to:

Carrying out site visits / surveys and creating designs for top clients across residential and commercial projects.

Working with Engineers to produce detailed design packages for tender and construction.

Checking and approval of all relevant documents, calculations, and drawings

Preparation of quotations and project scopes for Director approval.

The Candidate:

You will be ambitious and focussed and determined on furthering your career as a Civil and/or Structural Technician / Engineer.

Good working knowledge of AutoCAD, using CADS RC & MS Office is essential, experience in preparing drawings & schedules, ability to meet deadlines and have strong organisational skills and attention to detail.  BIM experience is a desirable.

The successful applicant will have a creative mind and will relish the opportunity to work as part of a team in order to provide innovative engineering solutions for clients.

Company description:

AOCA has been in business since 1996 and we have established ourselves as one of the leading Consulting Engineering practices in the country. Our Head Office is situated in Portlaoise and we have a second office in Dublin. AOCA has established itself as one of the leading Forensic Consultancy Firm’s in Ireland. In recent years AOCA has become the leading expert on Pyrite in Ireland. We pride ourselves on providing each of our clients with a service specifically tailored to their individual needs and requirements. Accordingly, AOCA have a number of clients with whom we have worked with on numerous projects over the years, as well as one-off ventures for individuals/businesses throughout the island of Ireland and beyond. Based as we are in both the Midlands and Dublin, directly adjacent to the M7 and M50 motorways and with easy access to all the major road networks, we are ideally situated to easily reach all the 32 counties when required without difficulty.

How would you like people to apply?

Let candidates apply with their LinkedIn profile and notify me by email.

Salary:

Negotiable dependant on Candidate experience

Contact:

Lisa Morrissey

AOCA

Lismard House, Timahoe Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois

lisa@aoca.ie

Civil/Structural Engineer

Job Function:

Civil/Structural Engineer

Employment type:

Full Time

Company industry:

Civil/Structural Engineering

Location:

Portlaoise & Dublin

Seniority level:

Senior-Level

Skills:

Engineering Design software including Tedds, Site inspections and reports, AutoCAD, Ability to work alone or in a group, Full driving licence.

Education:

Degree in Civil/Structural Engineering with minimum of 2 years’ experience.

Job description:

The role will include but is not limited to:

Reporting to the Associate Director, typical tasks would include.

  • Design of civil and structural elements for typical type projects.
  • Ensuring that all aspects of design works are backed up by proven procedures, calculations, and disciplines.
  • Assisting with ongoing site-based projects in terms of design development, feeding into inspection plans and the role of ancillary certifier as required under the BCAR regulations,
  • Experience in Defect engineering and report writing.

The Candidate:

The Ideal Candidate must be self-motivated, Personable, energetic, a team player, have attained relevant experience in civil / structural engineering. Effective written and verbal communication is essential combined with a full working knowledge of software systems, current regulations affecting decision making and be prepared to work in a small team environment.

Company description:

Aidan O’Connell & Associates Ltd has been in business since 1996 and we have established ourselves as one of the leading Consulting Engineering practices in the country. Our Head Office is situated in Portlaoise and we have a second office in Dublin. Aidan O’Connell and Associates Ltd has established itself as one of the leading Forensic Consultancy Firm in Ireland. In recent years Aidan O’Connell & Associates Ltd has become one of the leading experts on Pyrite in Ireland.

We pride ourselves on providing each of our clients with a service specifically tailored to their individual needs and requirements. Accordingly, Aidan O’Connell & Associates Ltd have a number of clients with whom we have worked with on numerous projects over the years, as well as one-off ventures for individuals/businesses throughout the island of Ireland and beyond. Based as we are in both the Midlands and Dublin, directly adjacent to the M7 and M50 motorways and with easy access to all the major road networks, we are ideally situated to easily reach all the 32 counties when required without difficulty.

Salary:

Negotiable dependant on Candidate experience

Contact:

Lisa Morrissey

AOCA

lisa@aoca.ie

Lismard House,

Timahoe Road,

Portlaoise

Co. Laois

057 8663244

 

Unit E6, Centrepoint Business Park,

Oak Drive,

Clondalkin,

Dublin 12

01 4243035

 

COVID-19 Update

 

Following our recent very difficult decision to operate with a greatly reduced workforce, we are delighted to let all our valued clients and customers know that with significant parts of the construction sector re-starting today Monday April 12th, 2021 we are now back fully operational in both are head office in Portlaoise and in our Dublin Office.

 

We will be contacting any contractors and clients with whom we are involved in projects to discuss their plans for the re-start. We also plan to provide our full range of structural surveys, Insurance claim inspections, etc. from today (12th April 2021) so feel free to make contact if you require any of our services. We will be delighted to be of help. Further, we are currently awaiting advice from some government agencies for certain works and will be in touch with all relevant parties as soon as possible.

In the meantime, continue to #staysafe and if you require further updates, please do not hesitate to contact our Engineers by e-mail or phone. If your enquiry is new, please e-mail info@aoca.ie

COVID-19 Update

 

With construction hopefully re-starting on May 18th AOCA are preparing to put ourselves in a position where we can provide full Engineering Site Services to all of our clients whilst continuing to ensure all of our staff, clients and contractors stay safe. We will be contacting any contractors with whom we are involved in projects to discuss their plans for the re-start. We also hope to be in a position to re-commence structural surveys, Insurance claim inspections, etc. from this date. We are currently awaiting advice from some government agencies and will be in touch with all relevant parties as soon as possible.

In the meantime, continue to #staysafe#stayathome and if you require further updates please do not hesitate to contact our Engineers by e-mail or phone. If your enquiry is new please e-mail info@aoca.ie

Kilcavan GAA Club

Kilcavan GAA have released designs for their new state-of-the-art indoor training facility.

Kilcavan GAA, located in Mountmellick parish, has continued to grow consistently over the past number of years strongly supported by Clonaghadoo National School.

In 2014, in association with Laois GAA, Kilcavan GAA commenced a five-year plan to improve their clubs facilitates in order to support the clubs growing numbers.

To date they have successful added a new illuminated training pitch, ball stops, car park, security fencing, shower rooms, outdoor toilet’s, Kitchen/meeting room and a 600m fully illuminated jogging/walking track.

 

As part of the final stage of their five-year plan, Kilcavan GAA are pleased to announce that works are due to commence in the coming weeks on its new indoor training facility.

The development will more than double the size of the existing building on the site, with a total additional area of almost 200 square metres being constructed.

The Planning Permission, Fire Safety Certificate and Disability Access Certificate for the development was granted by Laois County Council in September 2018, which paved the way for the construction to commence.

A competitive tendering process was carried out by AOCA Engineering Consultants for the construction of the new facility and the appointment of the successful tenderer, JS Dooley Contracting Ltd., was made last month.

 

The central focus of the development will be a new 136 square metre multipurpose fitness room, which looks as though it could rival any inter-county training facility when completed.

Engineer and Kilcavan GAA member David Ryan said, “The development has only been made possible through funding from the Sports Capital Programme through the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and ongoing fundraising carried out by club members over the last number of years.”

Kilcavan GAA have also recently carried out a colouring competition in conjunction with Clonaghadoo National School.

The two winning pupils will complete the turning of the sod for the new facility next week.

The club wished to thank the following people who have helped to make this development possible; Cllr David Goodwin, Laois County Council, AOCA Engineering Consultants, Ger Ryan Architectural Services in Mountmellick, O’Connell Brothers plant hire and JS Dooley Contracting Ltd.

From Laois Today

NSAI Concrete Blocks Committee formed

This is a welcome development in the regulation of the concrete industry after many years of heartache for homeowners and business owners affected with substandard blocks.  This new committee will forge the way forward and new standards will ensure that the Pyrite and Mica problem in block work in Ireland never repeats itself.

We are delighted to announce that Aidan O’Connell, Managing Director of AOCA Engineering Consultants, is one of those committee members and will attend the first committee meeting on Monday 11th September.  Aidan became a Fellow of Engineers Ireland in July 2014 and Engineers Ireland are happy for him to represent them on this new Concrete Block Committee.  Aidan has over 30 years of experience in the construction industry and with particular knowledge of the Pyrite problem in Ireland.  Aidan is currently overseeing the process of assessment, design and supervision of the structural remediation, consisting of over 1000 properties affected by Pyrite

AOCA (UK) Limited

Aidan O’Connell & Associates Ltd has entered a new chapter as AOCA rebranding earlier this year and now entered the UK market.  This new venture has taken months to set-up, with a lot of research into the viability of the expansion in the current Brexit climate.  AOCA (UK) Ltd was formed in February 2017 and work has commenced on a book of business across the United Kingdom from London to Manchester to Cornwall to Leeds.  Our head office in the UK is based in Manchester.

Initially we will be dealing with a large book of business involving Latent Defect damage to all property types from single units to Multi Unit residential and commercial developments. Coupled to this is our private client base in the UK which we forecast to grow considerably.

If you have any engineering consultancy requirements in the UK please do not hesitate to contact us on +44 3300539213 or email info@aoca.co.uk You can also visit our new website on www.aoca.co.uk