Businesses supported by Local Enterprise Offices across Ireland generated 3,149 net jobs in 2019, according to the Government body.
The Local Enterprise Offices supported by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation are now supporting 38,535 jobs across 7,400 client companies it was announced today at the start of Local Enterprise Week 2020 (2 to 6 March).
During Local Enterprise Week more than 300 events will take place run by the 31 LEOs across the country. These will focus on everything from starting your own business and financial planning to how to make your business more sustainable and how to pitch for funding, aimed at helping entrepreneurs and small businesses to start and grow.
“Whether it’s through training, mentoring, funding, or expert one to one business advice, the Local Enterprise Offices are making it happen for small businesses and entrepreneurs”
The 2019 figures for the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), operated in partnership by Enterprise Ireland and the local authorities, show that 3,149 net jobs were created last year across the country.
This is the sixth year of continuous employment growth for the Local Enterprise Offices since their inception in 2014.
Impact of LEOs
LEOs saw increases across all supports in 2019 including training, mentoring and funding. The number of those trained in 2019 was up 6.4pc last year with 37,306 availing of training through their Local Enterprise Office. There was also a 10.5pc increase in mentoring assignments completed, with 10,756 clients benefitting from LEO mentoring.
“These figures continue to emphasise the impact that the Local Enterprise Offices are having on indigenous Irish businesses across the country,” said Oisin Geoghegan, chair of the network of Local Enterprise Offices.
“Whether it’s through training, mentoring, funding, or expert one to one business advice, the Local Enterprise Offices are making it happen for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Our expertise and experience is the bedrock of our ability to help businesses and this week, Local Enterprise Week, helps us highlight the range of support on offer. We would encourage any small business owners, or budding entrepreneurs to get out there, sample some of the events and see how we can help your company.”
Starting up
Over €20m was invested in Local Enterprise Office clients and start-ups last year, up from €18.2m in 2018. In 2019 the Local Enterprise Offices also worked successfully with their clients to assist 162 companies transfer to Enterprise Ireland.
“The Local Enterprise Offices are to the fore in our Future Jobs strategy and make a significant contribution to boosting local economies across the country,” the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Heather Humphreys, TD.
“They are helping to create jobs in every area across Ireland with funding, supports and expert guidance. Year-on-year we have increased our support for the Local Enterprise Offices and they have repaid that support with results which have been on the up since they began six years ago. We will continue to support them and ensure that training, mentoring and financial support is available to our small businesses and entrepreneurs to help them to plan, start and grow,” Minister Humphreys said.
Written by John Kennedy (john.kennedy3@boi.com)
Published: 2 March, 2020
