3,700 New Jobs Created in 2017 by Local Enterprise Office-supported Companies
A net total of 3,700 new jobs were delivered in 2017 by start-ups and small businesses from across the country that have been supported by the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs). This brings the total number of new jobs created by LEO-backed companies to 15,000 since the LEOs were set up in 2014.
The jobs results by the LEOs were welcomed by the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD and the Minister of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Pat Breen TD, as they opened the recent annual LEO Forum in Athlone.
The 31 LEOs nationwide, run in partnership by Enterprise Ireland and the Local Authorities, provide a ‘first stop shop’ for the supports available to entrepreneurs, start-ups and small businesses.
Commenting on the 2017 LEO results, Minister Humphreys said: “Creating more and better jobs in regional and rural Ireland is a priority for the Government. As the Government rolls out its plans for balanced economic development over the next ten years, I believe the LEOs will have a major role in supporting entrepreneurs to start and stay locally.”
Minister Breen also welcomed the jobs figures, saying: “In a challenging environment LEO clients have contributed substantially to economic development up and down the country, especially outside of the main urban centres. I would encourage the Local Authorities and Enterprise Ireland to maximize the job creation potential that exists at local level.”
Representing the Local Enterprise Offices, Sheelagh Daly said: “These jobs figures are a testament to the determination of local entrepreneurs who are growing their own businesses with the help of their Local Enterprise Office. Every day, thousands of small businesses are accessing a range of supports through LEOs, such as training, mentoring, grants and microfinance loans.”
Brendan Flood, Divisional Manager, Regions and Entrepreneurship, Enterprise Ireland, said: “I strongly welcome these excellent performance figures from the Local Enterprise Offices. During 2017, more than 80 companies progressed from the LEOs into the Enterprise Ireland portfolio, to help them achieve their global ambition. Enterprise Ireland will continue to work closely with the LEOs and our Local Authority partners to achieve balanced growth throughout every region.”
Speaking on behalf of Local Authorities, Anna-Marie Delaney, Offaly Local Authority Chief Executive and Chair of the CCMA Committee on Economic Development & Enterprise, said: “As these results for 2017 clearly demonstrate, the LEOs are playing a pivotal role in local job creation nationwide. I believe that the work of the LEOs complements and enhances the broader economic development remit of the Local Authorities.”
The forum also highlighted the need for LEO companies to prepare for the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) which becomes law in May 2018.
Minster Breen said: “There is a range of information available to assist LEO companies in complying with their GDPR obligations. As a first step, I would encourage them to visit GDPRandyou.ie which is an excellent source of guidance provided by the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner. Don’t leave it until the last minute, now is the time to think about data protection measures.”
