36,000 Jobs in Local Enterprise Office supported businesses – Burke

A total of 36,000 jobs in over 7,100 small companies are now supported by the Local Enterprise Office network which demonstrates Fine Gael’s ongoing commitment in Government to help develop employment and enterprise opportunities with businesses across the country, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Deputy Colm Burke said: “Local Enterprise Offices do fantastic work to support businesses throughout the country by offering services such as mentoring, training, upskilling and financial supports.

“Following the dissolution of the County and City Enterprise Boards in 2014, the 31 Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) were established to promote entrepreneurship and to act as a “first-stop-shop” for providing advice and guidance and financial assistance to those wishing to start or grow their own business.

“Since they were established eight years ago, LEOs have provided assistance to indigenous enterprises under financial grant aid schemes and with Training, Development and Mentoring supports.

“There have been record levels of investment by the Government in the LEO network across the country, which has increased by over 300% from over €17 million in 2014 to over €68 million in 2020, with over €3 million provided to date this year.

“Government investment in LEOs has resulted in eight years of consecutive employment growth which is a huge success story when it comes to promoting entrepreneurship and enterprise development.

“Local Enterprise Offices now support over 7,100 companies financially within their portfolio, with almost 36,000 associated jobs and a net gain of 3,000 jobs in 2021 alone.

“In my own county of Cork, 2,257 new net jobs have been delivered through businesses supported by LEOs. New jobs have been consistently delivered through these businesses, with the exception of 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic impacted significantly on new job creation.

“Fine Gael has always prioritised supports for small businesses and entrepreneurs; we recognise they are crucial to job creation and the development of our economy.

“Throughout the pandemic, we assisted businesses with a robust and sustained programme of financial supports, with over €48 billion provided by Government to supporting both our economy and society.

“As a Government we are on hand to help businesses who need it as they respond to the challenges of recent years, and to drive entrepreneurship,” Deputy Burke concluded.