New job creation accelerates in small business sector as “Enterprise Week” launches in Fingal
Fingal Local Enterprise Office has announced that 162 net new jobs were created in LEO-supported businesses in the region in 2017.
Local Enterprise Week launches to further stimulate Fingal businesses.
A total of 162 new jobs (net) were delivered in 2017 by start-ups and small businesses that have been supported by the Fingal Local Enterprise Office (LEO). The Fingal performance ranks as one of the highest in the country and marks an acceleration of commercial successes among small businesses in the region.
The total number of new jobs created by LEO-backed companies in Ireland now stands at over 15,000 since the LEOs were set up in 2014.
The jobs results by the LEOs were welcomed by the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys T.D. and the Minister of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Pat Breen T.D, as they opened the annual LEO Forum in Athlone.
Fingal LEO is one of 31 LEOs nationwide, run in partnership by Enterprise Ireland and the Local Authorities. The LEO provides a ‘first stop shop’ for supports available to entrepreneurs, start-ups and small businesses.
Commenting on the 2017 LEO results, Minister Humphreys said: “Creating more and better jobs in regional and rural Ireland is a priority for the Government. As the Government rolls out its plans for balanced economic development over the next ten years, I believe the LEOs will have a major role in supporting entrepreneurs to start and stay locally”.
Minister Breen also welcomed the jobs figures, saying: “In a challenging environment LEO clients have contributed substantially to economic development up and down the country, especially outside of the main urban centres. I would encourage the Local Authorities and Enterprise Ireland to maximize the job creation potential that exists at a local level”.
Head of Fingal Local Enterprise Office, Oisin Geoghegan said: “These jobs figures are a testament to the determination of local entrepreneurs who are growing their own businesses with the help of their Local Enterprise Office. Every day, many small businesses are accessing a range of supports through Fingal LEO, such as training, mentoring, grants and other practical business supports.”
Paul Reid, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council welcomed the announcement, saying: “As these results for 2017 clearly demonstrate, the Local Enterprise Offices are playing a pivotal role in local job creation nationwide. The work of the LEO in Fingal greatly enhances the broader economic development remit of the Local Authorities.”
In the meantime, Fingal Local Enterprise Office has announced details of its “Local Enterprise Week”, which takes place between 5th and 9th March 2018. Mayor of Fingal Cllr. Mary McCamley stated her delight at the wide range of practical events planned for the week. “It is wonderful to see all of the key organisations and agencies working with our Local Enterprise Office to provide real opportunities for people who want to start up a new business as well as those already running their own enterprise. We have an excellent reputation in Fingal for encouraging and stimulating enterprise. I am delighted that Fingal County Council, through our Local Enterprise Office, is the leading supporter of enterprise in the region.”
Fingal Local Enterprise Week takes place between 5th and 9th March and features a packed series of events to help businesses and start-ups to access supports, training and networking.
The week kicks off on Monday morning 5th March with a seminar geared at businesses that wish to raise funding. Titled “Show me the Money”, the seminar will run in the Carlton Hotel Dublin Airport and features a range of expert speakers, agencies and organisations that provide finance to businesses.
Other events include: Fingal Enterprise Awards; Business Networking events with Chambers of Commerce; a Business pitching workshop; a seminar aimed at making your business more productive; Scaling Your Business; an event to help businesses in the Food sector; a session on “GDPR”; Women in Business event; Ethnic entrepreneurship; Business advice clinics; and much more. Events are occurring throughout Fingal. Many are completely free of charge while some have a nominal booking fee.
Click Here to view the Local Enterprise Week Schedule