LOCAL ENTERPRISE OFFICE CARLOW NOW SUPPORTING OVER 180 SMALL BUSINESSES AND 1,100 JOBS ACCORDING TO NEW FIGURES
- 226 new jobs created in 2025
- 16% job increase from 2024
- 12th year of YoY jobs growth
- Net employment gain of 43 in 2025
- 183 total small businesses employing 1120 people supported by LEO Carlow
Today, Minister of State for Employment, Small Business and Retail, Alan Dillon, T.D., announced the annual results of the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) for 2025 which showed that Local Enterprise Office Carlow supported companies created 226 jobs in 2025.
The net jobs created by Local Enterprise Office Carlow supported clients in 2025 was 43, which takes into account companies that amalgamated, ceased trading and those that transferred on to Enterprise Ireland.
The new figures show that the LEO Carlow financially supported 183 small businesses in their portfolio across the county these companies in turn employ 1,120 people.
The total national figures for the Local Enterprise Offices across the country were announced with the LEOs now financially supporting 40,285 jobs across 7,148 companies. This is the most jobs the Local Enterprise Offices have supported nationally since their inception in 2014.
In 2025 there were 7,261 new jobs created by LEO clients companies with a net jobs creation figure of 2,479. This was up 7% nationally on 2024. 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 Grow Digital Voucher, Lean for Business and Green for Business along with training and mentoring.
Minister Alan Dillon T.D., said; “The 31 Local Enterprise Offices continue to be the backbone of local economic development, supporting 40,285 jobs in 2025, the highest level since their establishment. Last year alone, LEO client companies created 7,261 new jobs, delivering a 7% increase on 2024 and marking the 12th consecutive year of jobs growth.
Crucially, 82% of these new jobs were created outside Dublin, demonstrating the impact of targeted local supports in every region. From digitalisation to sustainability and export development, our LEOs are helping small businesses compete and scale. Government remains firmly committed to strengthening these supports so that entrepreneurs nationwide can continue to grow and thrive.”
The Local Enterprise Offices were to the fore in supporting small businesses across the country in 2025, helping thousands to become secure funding, upskill and avail of supports to becoming more sustainable and competitive. Recent supports such as the Grow Digital Voucher enables small businesses to take their first steps in digitalisation and the Market Explorer Grant supports companies in looking at new markets.
Speaking of the announcement, Paula O’Brien, Director of Services: Planning, Economic Development, Regeneration and Corporate Services, Carlow County Council, said: “Today’s figures clearly demonstrate the sustained impact of strategic investment in local enterprise across County Carlow. The creation of 226 new jobs in 2025 and a net employment gain of 43 jobs reflect not only the resilience of our small business sector, but also the effectiveness of the supports delivered through Local Enterprise Office Carlow. For the 12th consecutive year of jobs growth, these results underline the critical role that Carlow County Council’s Local Enterprise Office plays in driving balanced economic development and supporting quality employment throughout the county.”
Anne Lanigan, Head of Local Enterprise and Regions, Enterprise Ireland, said; “These strong employment results reflect the impact of the Local Enterprise Office network and the ambition of the small businesses it supports across the country. The continued growth in jobs, with 82% of the new jobs created last year outside Dublin, shows that entrepreneurs can start, grow and scale their businesses from anywhere in Ireland. Enterprise Ireland will continue to work closely with the Local Enterprise Offices in areas such as competitiveness, sustainability and digitalisation, supporting businesses to strengthen capability and create jobs in 2026 and beyond.”
Cllr. Ken Murnane, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council, added: “The announcement that businesses supported by Local Enterprise Office Carlow created 226 jobs in 2025 and now sustain over 1,100 jobs across the county is extremely encouraging. These figures show what can be achieved when local businesses engage with the wide range of supports available. I would strongly encourage all small businesses, entrepreneurs and those with a business idea to connect with the Local Enterprise Office, take advantage of the financial, mentoring and training supports on offer, and play their part in continuing this positive jobs growth for Carlow.”
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 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.ieFor more information on the Local Enterprise Offices go to www.LocalEnterprise.ie
