Press Release Tuesday, 22 December 2015
Fingal Local Enterprise Office predicting big leap in new start-ups during Leap Year
Fingal Local Enterprise Office planning at least ten ‘Start Your Own Business’ Programmes in 2016, with positive outlook for local economy
A big leap in the number of start-ups is expected in 2016, according to the Fingal Local Enterprise Office, which is planning to run 10 ‘Start Your Own Business’ training programmes during the Leap Year, each of which will have 12 new entrepreneurs.
Based within the Local Authority Network, the Fingal Local Enterprise Office (LEO) is one of 31 offices around the country, set up as the ‘first-stop-shop’ for new start-ups and small businesses looking to grow. In 2015, 4,000 aspiring entrepreneurs benefited from more than 260 LEO ‘Start Your Own Business’ programmes, which were held across every county in Ireland. In Fingal over 200 clients participated in the Start Your own Business programmes and bootcamps that were held throughout 2015. Many of these individuals have gone on to start up their own successful businesses and continue to receive support and assistance from the Local Enterprise Office.
Helping a new entrepreneur become ‘start-up ready’, typically these training programmes run over 10 weeks, focussing on how to prepare business plans, what market research and marketing tools are available, how to manage cash flow and making the most out of technology. According to the Local Enterprise Office, the majority of those completing the ‘SYOB’ programme successfully start up their own business, creating further employment in the local community.
The next programme is due to start in January in Swords and will be run over 10 weeks. The cost of this course is subsidised by the Local Enterprise Office and places cost just €150, which include all training materials.
Oisin Geoghegan, Head of Enterprise in Fingal, highlighted all the other supports that are on offer to new-start-ups in 2016, such as grants, microfinance loans, one-to-one mentoring and business advice clinics. Geoghegan said: “Following on from two years of remarkable growth in the Irish economy, we’re encouraging anyone thinking of starting a business in 2016 to talk to the experts here at the Local Enterprise Office, to find out about the supports on offer and to sign up for the ‘Start Your Own Business’ training programme.”
Paul Reid, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council (and also Chair of the Economic, Enterprise and Tourism Committee with the County and City Management Association), said: “Through our local authority network, the Local Enterprise Offices are the first-stop-shop for promoting entrepreneurship, helping to increase the number of start-ups in every area. By fostering business start-ups, we look forward to the creation of more jobs locally in 2016, in every local authority area.”
More positive news for start-ups in 2016 comes from the ESRI, the Economic and Social Research Institute, which has revised upwards its outlook for the Irish economy in 2016, forecasting a growth rate of 4.8 per cent.* Ireland has also retained the fourth spot in the ‘Best Countries for Business’ world rankings, according to Forbes Magazine.
All 31 Local Enterprise Offices will be offering the ‘Start Your Own Business’ training programmes throughout 2016, with many scheduled to begin in January and February. More details around the supports on offer to start-ups through the Local Enterprise Offices are available through www.localenterprise.ie/Fingal
ENDS
For all media queries, please contact your Local Enterprise Office
Notes to Editor
*Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) Source: Quarterly Economic Commentary /Winter 2015 (Executive Summary). Extract: “The Irish economy is set to register a substantial growth performance in 2015 with an expected 6.7% year-on-year increase in output….We revise upwards our outlook for 2016, with an expected output growth rate now of 4.8%.”
Forbes Magazine Best Countries for Business 2015 / Source: forbes.com/best-countries-for-business/
