THE NUMBER of company liquidations and receiverships being notified to the State’s official journal increased almost three-fold during March and April compared to the same period last year.

An examination of the 12 most recent issues of Iris Oifigiúilshow that details of some 371 liquidations, receiverships and other forms of administration or wind-ups have been published in the journal since the beginning of March. The average number of entries is 31 per issue.

This compares to 160 published notices in the 12 issues published between March and mid-April last year, or an average of a little over 13 per issue.

The 2008 figures reflected a marginal rise from 2007, when 135 liquidations and other forms of administration were notified in the same period: an average of 11 entries per issue.

There is also clear evidence that the number of non-voluntary liquidations has increased sharply, with the Revenue Commissioners being named as the petitioner in many of the notices.

Of those companies whose activities can be identified from their titles, the vast majority of those being wound-up are in development, construction and property.

Sixteen of the 20 companies whose activities were readily identifiable in the edition of April 7th, 2009, belonged to the category.

Similarly, on April 3rd, 12 of the 16 companies whose principal activity could be discerned from the company name were either development or construction companies.

Other sectors that were heavily represented included: financial and information technology companies; hotel groups; hospitality companies; haulage and road transport companies; and retail companies.

The number of receivers being appointed to companies has also increased dramatically. Some 18 companies went into receivership during March and April, compared to only 5 during the same period last year.

Iris Oifigiúilis the official journal used by the Government for making public announcements relating to appointments, legislation and other notices.