LOCAL ENTERPRISE OFFICE KILKENNY CLIENTS CREATED 103 JOBS IN 2022

LOCAL ENTERPRISE OFFICE KILKENNY NOW SUPPORTING OVER 182 SMALL BUSINESSES AND 103 JOBS ACCORDING TO NEW FIGURES

 Today, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney T.D., announced the annual results of the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) for 2022 which showed that Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny supported companies created 103 jobs in 2022.  This figure was up significantly from the 81 that were created by LEO Kilkenny in 2021.

The net jobs created by Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny supported clients in 2022 was 103, which takes into account businesses that amalgamated, ceased trading and those that transferred on to Enterprise Ireland.  

The new figures show that the LEO Kilkenny financially supported 182 small businesses in their portfolio across the County and these companies in turn employ 1077 people.  

The total national figures for the Local Enterprise Offices across the country were announced with the LEOs now supporting 37,863 jobs across 7,221 companies.  In 2022 there were 7,870 new jobs created by LEO clients companies with a net job creation figure of 3,447.  This was up 10% nationally on 2021.  From the jobs created, 84% 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 Trading Online Voucher, Lean for Micro and Green for Micro along with training and mentoring.       

Simon Coveney, T.D., Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, said; “These results show the significant role the Local Enterprise Offices are playing in not only creating new businesses and jobs but also in sustaining them.  On the back of some of the most difficult years for small businesses we are still seeing growth across the country.  During the pandemic we saw how essential the LEOs were to small businesses and they will be essential as we navigate the ongoing cost of living and energy crises.  

“With 84% of new jobs being created outside of Dublin it reinforces the Government’s strategy to strengthen employment throughout Ireland.  As the remit of the Local Enterprise Offices has now broadened to companies up to 50 employees, even more SMEs will be able to avail of their supports, but also their expertise in growing enterprise in towns and villages across the country.”  

The Local Enterprise Offices were to the fore in supporting small businesses across the country in 2022, helping thousands to pivot online or adapt their products and services through a large suite of supports.  The Local Enterprise Offices offering training and mentoring in a range of areas from financial skills and product innovation to starting your own business and maximising your presence online.    

Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council Cllr. Pat Fitzpatrick believes “The results announced today are a testament to Kilkenny’s small business community.  When faced with adversity, they have adapted, pivoted, upskilled and did whatever it took to sustain themselves.  We are seeing new opportunities for businesses here and as always with tough economic periods we see new ideas and businesses emerge and flourish’’.   

Acting Head of Enterprise at LEO Kilkenny, Aileen McGrath added ‘’2023 will be no different and as we at LEO Kilkenny will continue to work closely with Enterprise Ireland and all our partners to ensure our small businesses get the best possible supports for their businesses’’.  

Welcoming the strong employment results, Enterprise Ireland CEO, Leo Clancy said; “These are very positive employment results from the Local Enterprise Offices.  It demonstrates the close relationship that exists between the LEOs and the companies they support and how they are able to navigate a challenging business environment, such as we witnessed in 2022.  Enterprise Ireland and the LEOs are engaged in an exciting work programme to increase alignment between both organisations so that we can better serve businesses at all stages of growth and development and help them to create prosperity and jobs throughout Ireland.  I look forward to continuing to work on that agenda in 2023.”

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 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.  For more information on the Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny go to www.LocalEnterprise.ie/Kilkenny