*PICTURED: Padraig McElwee of the Local Enterprise Office, Clare. Photo by Arthur Ellis
THE annual results of the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) for 2023 has revealed that Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Clare supported companies created 188 jobs in 2023.
The net jobs created by Local Enterprise Office Clare supported clients in 2023 was 62, which considers companies that amalgamated, ceased trading and those that transferred on to Enterprise Ireland.
The new figures show that the LEO Clare financially supported 229 small businesses in their portfolio across the county these companies in turn employ 1,393 people.
The total national figures for the Local Enterprise Offices across the country were announced with the LEOs now financially supporting 38,726 jobs across 7,167 companies. This is the most jobs the Local Enterprise Offices have supported nationally since their inception in 2014.
In 2023 there were 6,640 new jobs created by LEO client companies with a net job’s creation figure of 2,131. This was up 6% nationally on 2022. From the jobs created, 82% were outside of the Dublin region.
The LEOs also provide substantial funded supports to thousands of other small businesses across the country with programmes such as the Trading Online Voucher, Lean for Business and Green for Business along with training and mentoring.
The Local Enterprise Offices were to the fore in supporting small businesses across the country in 2023, helping thousands to pivot online or adapt their products and services through a large suite of supports. They Local Enterprise Offices offering training and mentoring in a range of areas from financial skills and product innovation to starting your own business and maximising your presence online.
Padraic McElwee, Head of Enterprise said, “Despite many challenges the businesses we support in Clare have demonstrated remarkable resilience to overcome these challenges and continue to grow their businesses and create new employment opportunities. This year we have seen first-hand the ability of many small businesses to adapt, embrace new technologies and ensure their employees avail of the many upskilling opportunities available to them. 2024 will present new challenges and we have a range of supports available to assist businesses which will help them to continue growing their businesses and provide employment. We continue to work closely with Enterprise Ireland and other agencies to ensure our local businesses adapt, and embrace, emerging trends in reducing their carbon footprint and improving productivity through digitisation. ”
Located in the local authorities and funded through Enterprise Ireland the LEOs 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
