16/04/15 - New jobs announced for Fingal

Press Release                                                                                                    Thursday, 16 April 2015

Over 50 new jobs announced with €260,000 to be provided in Fingal Grant Aid

Exactly one year since the establishment of the Local Enterprise Office in Fingal, Chief Executive Paul Reid announces that the Fingal LEO has just approved a further €260,000 for 14 start-up and growing small businesses, which will create 20 new jobs immediately, rising to 50 jobs over the first year.

The Fingal Local Enterprise Office celebrated its 1st Birthday in style this week, with an announcement that it has approved €260,000 in funding for 14 small businesses, mostly start-up enterprises.

Speaking at the packed “LEO First Birthday Networking Celebration” in Malahide Castle, where more than 200 local businesses gathered to celebrate, the Chief Executive of Fingal County Council Paul Reid was delighted to present the 14 newly approved business owners with their grant approval letters: “Small businesses and start-ups are providing a powerful driving force to our local and national economic growth” Reid commented, continuing “In Fingal I am proud of the performance of our Local Enterprise Office in its first year. It is at the forefront of supporting job creation in dynamic small businesses”.

Of the 14 Fingal small businesses approved for a share of the €260,000 investment, 11 are start-up businesses while 3 are existing small businesses. All of the businesses have demonstrated good growth and future employment prospects and almost all are currently targeting overseas markets for their growth.

The sectors supported include food processing, Software, E-Commerce, Engineering, Manufacturing, Regulatory services, International specialist consultancies, International publications and content management solutions. The businesses and new jobs will be spread throughout the Fingal region including Howth, Sutton, Portmarnock, Skerries, Clonsilla, Baldoyle, Blanchardstown, Castleknock, Balbriggan and Lusk.

Speaking at the presentation of the letters confirming grant aid, Head of Enterprise in Fingal, Oisin Geoghegan stated “these small businesses are creating 20 much needed new jobs immediately. But it will not end there, because we anticipate that employment numbers in these 14 businesses will grow to 50 new jobs after year one, with prospects for further growth and job creation over the next three years in these businesses.”

The Fingal Local Enterprise Office is one of 31 in the country, established in April 2014. Fingal celebrated with the good jobs news announcement in Malahide Castle, attracting many local business owner/managers from throughout the region. The Mayor of Fingal, Cllr. Mags Murray, joined the Chief Executive Paul Reid in the presentation of the grant approval letters to the businesses.

The event also included an inspirational address provided by special guest speaker Michael Dawson, founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of One4All.ie, one of Fingal’s leading successful entrepreneurs.

ENDS

Hi resolution photos available (reproduction free), contact Joe Keogh, 087-9347807

joe@keoghphotography.com

For media queries, please contact Oisín Geoghegan, Head of Enterprise in Fingal, on:  Tel: 01 8900 800, E-mail: oisin@leo.fingal.ie.