LEO CLIENT COMPANIES CREATE OVER 6,600 NEW JOBS IN 2023
• 6,640 new jobs created in 2023
• 6% employment increase on 2022
• Net employment gain of 2,131
• 10th year of consecutive jobs growth for LEOs
• 7,167 companies with 38,726 jobs financially supported by LEOs
• 82% of new jobs created were outside the Dublin region
Today in Dublin, Minster of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Neale Richmond, T.D., announced that the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are now financially supporting more jobs in small businesses across the country than at any time since their inception in 2014.
There are now 38,726 jobs that are financially supported across the country by the Local Enterprise Offices. That is higher than the 38,535 jobs they peaked at in 2019, pre-pandemic. Those jobs are within 7,167 companies that have availed of grant aid from their LEO and are in addition to the thousands of other companies they support via training, mentoring and programmes and initiatives such as the Trading Online Voucher and Lean for Business.
Local Enterprise Office supported companies created 6,640 new jobs in 2023, which saw a 6% increase in employment from 2022. There was a net employment gain of 2,131 for the year. The figures also show that 82% of new jobs created by LEO client companies were outside of Dublin.
Despite a 10th consecutive year of positive job creation by the Local Enterprise Offices, the figures highlighted specific challenges for the small and micro enterprise sector. This included challenges around filling vacant roles and maintaining existing staff.
Minister Neale Richmond, T.D., said; “I have been fortunate enough to visit many Local Enterprise Offices and I have seen first-hand the superb quality of their mentorship and supports, and the impact they have on the businesses and entrepreneurs they support. These results are a testament to our Local Enterprise Offices; ten consecutive years of job growth is a major accomplishment that reminds us how crucial their support is both for new businesses, but also in helping existing businesses to grow.
“With 82% of new jobs created outside of Dublin, it is clear that our Local Enterprise Offices are supporting businesses right across Ireland. What is also evident is the resilience of Ireland’s fantastic small businesses that have continued to adapt to an ever-changing business environment.
”This Government is committed to backing business and will continue to work closely with small businesses, support their growth, help them to find new markets and to stimulate job growth and the Local Enterprise Offices have a key role to play here. Today’s results show that we are moving in the right direction, and I have no doubt that our Local Enterprise Offices will be there to support businesses at every turn.”
John Magee, Chair of the network of Local Enterprise Offices, said; “The results today highlight the exemplary work that’s been done by LEOs across the country. These figures are only a fraction of what is being achieved. While we financially support over 7,000 companies, we work closely with thousands more with our competitiveness and productivity supports, other supports like the Trading Online Voucher along with training and mentoring. In many cases these interventions can be just as impactful for clients.
“Working within the local authorities and with Enterprise Ireland, we are ensuring that every business has access to support no matter how small and we have local expertise to help them succeed. There are continued challenges, particularly in retaining and hiring staff but small businesses have shown resilience and adaptability to overcome bigger challenges in recent years. This is the 10th consecutive year of jobs growth for the LEOs and we aim to continue this again in 2024.”
Carol Gibbons Head of Regions and Local Enterprise, at Enterprise Ireland said; “2023 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. Enterprise Ireland will continue to work closely with the LEO network in 2024 to ensure that all businesses can access the support and advice they need to start, grow and win in all markets.”
Sonya Kavanagh, Chair of the CCMA Business Committee and Chief Executive, Kildare County Council, said; “Local Enterprise Offices fulfil a vital role within Local Government by initiating, supporting and driving business in creating and sustaining jobs in Irish communities. The supports provided are a proven effective one-stop shop to guide the success of small and medium sized enterprises across the country. The 6,640 jobs created and supported through Local Enterprise Offices in 2023 are testament to their integral role in assisting Irish business to develop both locally and nationally and in developing and enhancing the communities we live in.”
Today’s announcement took place at Quality Building Materials in Baldolye, Dublin, who have been supported by their Local Enterprise Office since they were founded in 2011. The roofing production company have steadily built their business and are now exporting to key markets including the UK and Germany. They added 5 jobs in 2023 to double their workforce. Also in attendance were MachineLab who were supported by LEO Wexford to create 17 new jobs in 2023, Milestone who were supported by LEO Meath to create an additional 36 new jobs last year and Funky Monkey supported by LEO Fingal who also added new staff in 2023.
The Local Enterprise Offices located in the local authorities and funded through Enterprise Ireland support thousands of small Irish businesses and entrepreneurs nationwide. Since their establishment in 2014 they have been for the first stop shop for entrepreneurs and small businesses and providing a range of supports including financial, mentoring, training and sector specific expertise to help guide businesses at any stage of their development.
They also run key initiatives to foster entrepreneurship across the country including Local Enterprise Week, National Women’s Enterprise Day, the Student Enterprise Programme and the National Enterprise Awards. The Local Enterprise Offices are also running a campaign encouraging small businesses to save time money and energy by availing of their competitiveness and productivity supports including Green, Lean and Digital for Business. www.AllInADaysWork.ie For more information on the Local Enterprise Offices go to www.LocalEnterprise.ie
