Your Local Enterprise Office (LEO) is your new first-stop-shop for access to enterprise services. The four main functions of the LEO are:
Business Information & Advice • General business advice and information provision: Business Planning, Financial Advice, Management and Accounting, How-to Guides etc • Advice and information on rates, planning, licensing etc. including cost reductions e.g. water conservation and waste minimisation • Information and access to other government services such as: - Revenue [Seed Capital Scheme, Employment Investment Incentive Scheme (EIIS), Revenue Job Assist] - Social Protection/National Employment & Entitlements Service (NEES) [Back to Work Enterprise Allowance] - SOLAS [Employer Job Incentive Scheme, Training] - Companies Registration Office - Credit Review Office - Other services for example, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Western Development Commission, Fáilte Ireland etc • Advice and information for local businesses on accessing public procurement processes • Advice on energy efficiency, sustainable development and alternative renewable energy sources | Enterprise Support • Provide financial support for start-up and business development. • Provide training supports e.g. Start Your Own Business Programmes, Management development support etc. • Access to commercial/enterprise space • Mentoring • Marketing • Access to dedicated business networks • Product and Service development • Development of web-enabled services with a focus on trading online • Maximising the impact of Community Enterprise Centres in local areas • Access to Microfinance Ireland Loan Fund • Progression pathway for high potential start-ups and high growth companies to Enterprise Ireland including access to Business Angels, New Frontiers Programme etc. • Access to promotional space |
Entrepreneurship Support • Education – Primary & Second level programmes • Female entrepreneurship • Senior entrepreneurship • Development of clusters • Enterprise Awards • Enterprise promotional activities | Local Enterprise Development
• Development & implementation of local enterprise plan • Input into County Development Plan • Development of partnerships with relevant agencies e.g. North/South development • Promotion and marketing of local areas as location for investment in conjunction with the appropriate national body e.g. IDA • Identifying & developing projects & programmes including leveraging resources to implement these programmes and those funded from non-core resources • Development of appropriate enterprise infrastructure at county/city level • Management of local authority enterprise infrastructure or assets e.g. enterprise parks • Acting as an enhanced resource for Government to undertake one-off initiatives • Assisting in development of County/City Economic Strategies as proposed in the Local Government Reform Programme • Direct engagement with businesses in difficulty in order to develop payment plans e.g. commercial rates |
Local Enterprise Offices are there to help guide small businesses on the road to business success. If you are running a small business or if you are thinking of starting one, contact us today to find out how we can help you.