Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 November 2019
400. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of persons employed by businesses that received support from local enterprise offices in 2018 and to date in 2019. [45118/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) have been making a hugely important contribution to our economy since their inception in 2014. Year on year they have grown their client numbers and increased the job creation in communities across the country. The LEOs are central to the continued growth of small businesses and the success of budding and future entrepreneurs.
The Local Enterprise Offices are the ‘first-stop-shop’ for providing advice and guidance, financial assistance and other supports to those wishing to start or grow their own business. The 31 LEOs nationwide are operated in partnership with Enterprise Ireland and the Local Authorities. They provide expert training, mentoring and financial assistance to entrepreneurs and small businesses who may want to start, develop or grow their company.
In 2018, the LEOs supported 36,666 people employed in 7,164 LEO client companies throughout the country. There were 3,656 new jobs created by LEO-supported companies in 2018, with an 11 per cent increase in employment in companies in the LEO portfolio last year. The 2019 LEO performance outcomes will not be known until completion of the annual employment survey of LEO clients in Q1 2020.
The LEOs publish an impact report annually, which includes details of employment performance and other key metrics and the LEO Impact Report 2018 can be found through the link below.
https://www.localenterprise.ie/Portal/Documents-and-Publications/Impact-Report-2018-/LEO_Impact_Report_2018.pdf
