The LEOs are the first-stop-shop for advice and guidance, financial assistance and other supports for those starting or growing their business. The LEOs can offer financial assistance to microenterprises (10 employees or fewer) in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors which, over time, have the potential to develop into strong export entities. The LEOs also offer soft supports in the form of training and mentoring, and a signposting service to other relevant state supports.
Micro-enterprises may also avail of the Trading Online Voucher Scheme (TOVS) from the LEOs. The Scheme offers the opportunity for businesses to develop their website or digital marketing strategy by availing of vouchers of up to €2,500 or 50% of eligible expenditure.
Table: TOVs approved by LEO (2014 – 30th June 2018)
LEO
|
2014
|
2015
|
2016
|
2017
|
Number of TOV’s Approved in the period 1st Jan to 30th June 2018*
|
Carlow
|
18
|
29
|
22
|
12
|
1
|
Cavan
|
6
|
12
|
14
|
20
|
9
|
Clare
|
3
|
21
|
37
|
32
|
22
|
Cork City
|
21
|
30
|
35
|
32
|
16
|
Cork N/W
|
19
|
84
|
55
|
42
|
26
|
Cork South
|
16
|
76
|
47
|
35
|
19
|
Donegal
|
28
|
34
|
25
|
48
|
25
|
Dublin City
|
40
|
90
|
104
|
140
|
50
|
Dublin /DLR
|
30
|
92
|
74
|
78
|
17
|
Dublin Fingal
|
53
|
48
|
51
|
51
|
32
|
Dublin South
|
8
|
24
|
37
|
38
|
26
|
Galway
|
6
|
24
|
54
|
44
|
24
|
Kerry
|
33
|
73
|
64
|
59
|
24
|
Kildare
|
28
|
45
|
24
|
43
|
10
|
Kilkenny
|
26
|
41
|
28
|
28
|
24
|
Laois
|
5
|
20
|
18
|
11
|
17
|
Leitrim
|
22
|
15
|
18
|
12
|
4
|
Limerick
|
25
|
52
|
58
|
45
|
16
|
Longford
|
3
|
12
|
12
|
15
|
11
|
Louth
|
14
|
28
|
39
|
55
|
27
|
Mayo
|
12
|
22
|
22
|
29
|
18
|
Meath
|
6
|
15
|
11
|
31
|
11
|
Monaghan
|
2
|
22
|
22
|
18
|
10
|
Offaly
|
6
|
24
|
14
|
15
|
12
|
Roscommon
|
4
|
23
|
18
|
22
|
15
|
Sligo
|
32
|
21
|
27
|
22
|
10
|
Tipperary
|
20
|
43
|
33
|
37
|
19
|
Waterford
|
29
|
32
|
49
|
46
|
9
|
Westmeath
|
9
|
30
|
25
|
29
|
9
|
Wexford
|
16
|
37
|
45
|
33
|
14
|
Wicklow
|
50
|
82
|
58
|
67
|
33
|
TOTALS
|
590
|
1,201
|
1,140
|
1,189
|
560
|
* Figures are provisional.