Local Enterprise Offices supporting job creation throughout the country- Bannon

Fine Gael Longford Westmeath TD, James Bannon has today, (Tuesday) welcomed the national launch of the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) by the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD.

“Today’s launch heralds the opening of a nationwide system of 31 Local Enterprise Offices designed to deliver an improved system of local enterprise supports to start-ups and small businesses across the country. With over 60,000 net new jobs created last year, we are on the road to economic recovery. The services provided by the LEOs will ensure that the jobs boost is felt right across all regions of the country.

“The LEOs will build on the significant achievements of the County and City Enterprise Boards and will provide a ‘first-stop-shop’ for all Government supports for small business in easily accessible locations across the country. The full range of State supports provided by different Government bodies – for example local authorities, Enterprise Ireland, Revenue, the Department of Social Protection, the Credit Review Office, training bodies – will be in one easily accessible location within the local authority.   In replacing the 35 independent State agencies which previously provided supports in this area, the establishment of the LEOs cuts down on bureaucracy and means real savings.

“The LEOs are fantastic resource for sole traders, micro businesses and small and medium sized companies seeking information and support on starting or growing a business. Previously some businesses were considered too large to access supports from City and County Enterprise Boards, but as they were not exporting they did not qualify for Enterprise Ireland supports either and so fell between two stools. All categories of business will now benefit from services provided by the LEOs.

“I know that throughout Longford and Westmeath, all available grants, mentoring and training facilities are needed to aid growth and development following what has been an extremely difficult time for local businesses.

“The new network of local enterprise offices will provide an additional €3.5 million in funding with a particular focus on supporting young entrepreneurs under 30 years of age. Longford and Westmeath is home to some top quality graduates and it is essential that we provide opportunities for these young people within our own county. The LEOs will aid in establishing these openings.

“Through the LEOs companies can access the full range of financial supports available to business in the State including access to seed capital schemes and direct referral to the Microfinance Ireland loan scheme for businesses that have been turned down by the banks.

“Staff training is also a key service on offer, with the establishment of a new Centre of Excellence to guarantee ‘best practice’ service and staff training nationally.

“The LEOs will breathe new life into many sectors of our regional economies. Small business owners will now be able to walk into their Local Enterprise Offices and get the supports they require. This marks a real reform of local government and devolution of power from central Government.

  “The Government’s Action Plan for Jobs is focused on bringing more opportunities to regional areas and the LEOs are an important step in facilitating this development and in providing a more integrated support service for the entrepreneurial, self-starting and motivated people who want to create jobs and contribute to their local economies.