Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke, T.D., has announced the annual results of the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) for 2024, showing that companies supported by the Local Enterprise Office Fingal created 197 net new jobs in 2024. This marks an increase from the 178 jobs created in 2023.
The net jobs created by Local Enterprise Office Fingal-supported clients in 2024 was 197, which takes into account companies that amalgamated, ceased trading, and those that transferred to Enterprise Ireland.
The total national figures for the Local Enterprise Offices across the country were also announced, with the LEOs now financially supporting 39,541 jobs across 7,176 companies. This represents the highest number of jobs supported by the Local Enterprise Offices since their inception in 2014.
In 2024, 7,104 new jobs were created by LEO client companies, with a net job creation figure of 2,459. This represents a 7% increase nationally compared to 2023.
The LEOs also continue to provide substantial funded supports to thousands of other small businesses nationwide through programs such as the Energy Efficiency Grant, Lean for Business, Green for Business, along with training and mentoring.
Minister Peter Burke, T.D., said: “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.
It has never been easier for a small business to access support through their Local Enterprise Office, including companies looking to digitalise their operations, take their first steps in sustainability, or identify new markets. These areas will be key pillars going forward to ensure our small businesses can continue to compete both at home and abroad. Government is firmly committed to supporting them all the way.”
The Local Enterprise Offices were at the forefront of supporting small businesses across the country in 2024, helping thousands secure funding, upskill, and avail of support to become more sustainable and competitive. New supports, such as the Grow Digital Voucher and Market Explorer Grant, were also introduced to help small businesses digitalise and explore new markets.
Oisín Geoghegan, Head of Enterprise at Local Enterprise Office Fingal, said: “The results announced today 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 Offices across the country have gone above and beyond in their support of small businesses, but there is renewed optimism.
We are seeing new opportunities for Irish businesses, and as always, during tough economic periods, we see new ideas and companies emerge and flourish. This year will be no different, and as we continue to work closely with Enterprise Ireland and the local authorities to ensure our small businesses get the best possible support, there are certainly green shoots emerging across the country.”
Carol Gibbons, Head of Entrepreneurship, Regions and Local Enterprise at Enterprise Ireland, 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.
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 explore new markets this year and beyond.”
The Local Enterprise Offices, located within local authorities and funded through Enterprise Ireland, support thousands of small Irish businesses and entrepreneurs nationwide. Since their establishment in 2014, they have been the first stop shop for entrepreneurs and small businesses, providing a range of supports including financial assistance, 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 also run 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.
For more information on the Local Enterprise Offices, visit www.LocalEnterprise.ie.
