Local Enterprise Offices are now supporting a record breaking number of jobs across the country.

For the first time since LEO's were set up over a decade ago close to 40,000 jobs are being supported nationwide.

In Dublin city, supported companies created 494 jobs in 2024, up significantly from the 343 that were created in 2023.

The Local Enterprise Offices, located in the local authorities, are funded through Enterprise Ireland.

They support thousands of small Irish businesses and entrepreneurs nationwide.  

LEO's have been described as the first stop shop for entrepreneurs and small businesses and provide a range of supports including financial, mentoring, training and sector specific expertise to help guide businesses at any stage of their development.  

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke, T.D., announced the annual results of the Local Enterprise Offices.

The net jobs created by Local Enterprise Office Dublin City-supported clients in 2024 was 129, which takes into account companies that amalgamated, ceased trading and those that transferred on to Enterprise Ireland.  

The new figures show that the LEO Dublin City financially supported 433 small businesses in their portfolio across the city and these companies in turn employ 2005 people.  

The total national figures for the Local Enterprise Offices across the country were announced with the LEOs now financially supporting 39,541 jobs across 7,176 companies.  

This is the most jobs the Local Enterprise Offices have supported nationally since their inception in 2014.

In 2024 there were 7,104 new jobs created by LEO client companies with a net jobs creation figure of 2,459.  

This was up 7% nationally on 2023.  From the jobs created, 81% were outside of the Dublin region.   

The LEOs also provide substantial funded support to thousands of other small businesses across the country with programmes such as the Energy Efficiency Grant, Lean for Business and Green for Business along with training and mentoring.       

Minister Burke said it has never been easier for businesses to access support through the LEO offices.

“The 31 Local Enterprise Offices continue to be the primary anchor for economic development in communities across the country.  

"Our LEOs ensure that every small business, regardless of location, has a support system available to them, no matter what their concern.  

"The continued broadening of the Local Enterprise Office remit highlights the value they add to our SME community."

While, Greg Swift, Head of Enterprise, Dublin City Council said: “The results announced are a testament to Ireland’s small business community.  

"When faced with adversity, they have adapted, pivoted, upskilled and did whatever it took to sustain themselves.  

"The figures show that companies have seen the opportunities in the challenging trading conditions they have faced.  

"The Local Enterprise Office Dublin City are doing great work in their support of small businesses.  

"We are seeing new opportunities for Dublin businesses here and as always with tough economic periods we see new ideas and companies.  

"This year will be no different and as we continue to work closely with Enterprise Ireland and Dublin City Council to ensure our small businesses get the best possible support.”  

Head of Entrepreneurship, Regions and Local Enterprise at Enterprise Ireland, Carol Gibbons said: “2024 was a challenging year for business and these very positive employment results are a testament to the dedication and commitment of the LEO network across the country and the ambitious businesses it supports.  

“Key to the success of the LEO network is the close relationship it fosters with both start-up and scaling businesses across communities.

"It is particularly encouraging to see the breadth of new jobs created across the country and showing that if you want to start and scale a company, the supports are there to do it from anywhere in Ireland.  

He added: "Enterprise Ireland will continue to work closely with the LEO network particularly in the areas of competitiveness, sustainability and digitalisation in 2025 giving them the support and advice they need to start, grow and to explore new markets this year and beyond.”

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