Local Enterprise Offices now supporting a record number of jobs

Local Enterprise Offices helped create over 7,100 new jobs in 2024. 

• 7,104 new jobs created in 2024
• 7% employment increase on 2023
• Net employment gain of 2,459
• 11^th year of consecutive jobs growth for LEOs
• 7,176 companies with 39,541 jobs financially supported by LEOs
• 81% of new jobs created were outside the Dublin region

Today in Dublin, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke, T.D., announced that the Local Enterprise Offices are now financially supporting more jobs in small businesses across the country since their inception in 2014. This is an 11^th consecutive year of jobs growth for the Local Enterprise Offices.    

The figures for 2024 show that the LEOs financially support 39,541 jobs which is up from 38,726 in 2023.  These jobs are in 7,176 Local Enterprise Office client companies across the country.   The jobs have been supported by LEO grant aid and do not account for other jobs that would have been created by additional LEO supports such as training, mentoring and, competitiveness and productivity supports.   

A total of 7,104 new jobs were created by Local Enterprise Office supported businesses in 2024, which saw a 7% employment increase compared to 2023.  There was a net employment gain of 2,459 jobs, which was also up on the 2023 figure of 2,131.  The figures highlighted that 81% of all new jobs created by LEO supported companies were outside of the Dublin region.   

The figures also highlighted specific challenges and opportunities in the small business sector.  Many small businesses are having issues around attracting and retaining staff.  There was positive growth in several sectors including technology, food manufacturing and precision engineering.  They have all benefitted from an increased demand and significant technological advancements.     

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 supports through their Local Enterprise Office, including companies looking to digitalise their operations, to take their first steps in sustainability or identifying 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.”   

John Magee, Chair of the Local Enterprise Offices, said; “Year on year the Local Enterprise Offices are continuing to support the growth needs of small businesses across the country.  These figures show the impact that LEOs are making and the vital role they play in fostering and growing enterprise in towns, villages and communities all over Ireland.  The creation of over 7,000 jobs in small businesses is a significant achievement but is only a small part of how the LEOs are impacting companies.   

“These jobs and associated client companies are only those who have been financially supported by the LEOs but our impact is much wider than that.  There are thousands more companies that will have benefited from digitisation, training, mentoring and taking those initial steps to becoming more sustainable.  All of these supports are enabling businesses to become more productive and more competitive.  LEOs are working with clients on ways to save time, money and energy in their businesses, and are having a significant impact. 

“We are delighted to report 11 years of continuous growth and our continued support for new businesses and the new jobs they create is a testament to the quality and resilience of the entrepreneurs we have across the country. We look forward to continuing to support the small business community in whatever way we can in 2025 and beyond.”   

Today’s announcement took place at The Black Stuff in Dublin, a company supported by Local Enterprise Office Dun Laoghaire Rathdown.  The Black Stuff were established in the kitchen of founder John Larkin in 2020 during Covid.  They manufacture and sell a range of handmade natural soaps and deodorants via an e-commerce direct to consumer model, supplying a customer base around the world.   

In 2024 their turnover was €4.5million with €3.5million of that coming from export sales.  They have received significant support from their Local Enterprise Office with priming grants to support new jobs and productivity supports around lean and sustainability.   The Black Stuff won Best Start-Up at the National Enterprise Awards and added 13 new jobs in 2024.   

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 to explore new markets this year and beyond.” 

Shane Tiernan, Chair of the County and City Management Association (CCMA) Economic Development Committee said: “Small and medium-sized businesses are at the heart of every local economy, sustaining communities by providing jobs, driving commercial activity, and encouraging people to spend locally. Ensuring these businesses have the support they need to start and to grow is a key priority for local authorities.  

“There is a Local Enterprise Office in every local authority area – that’s 31 dedicated local teams offering entrepreneurs, and would-be entrepreneurs, a wide range of experience, skills, supports and services right on their doorstep. We encourage anyone interested in starting or growing a small business to check out the supports available through their Local Enterprise Office so that we can continue to invest in building thriving local economies.” 

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 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 

Ends 

For further information:

Cian Doherty, Drury PR, cian.doherty@drury.ie / 087 772 6678

Rachel Kilbane, Drury PR, Rachel.Kilbane@drury.ie / 083 339 8587

Declan Lee, Enterprise Ireland / Local Enterprise Offices: Declan.Lee@enterprise-ireland.com / 087 695 7451