Minister Breen visits the Local Enterprise Office Leitrim and meets local entrepreneurs in Carrick on Shannon

The Minister of State for Employment and Small Business, Mr. Pat Breen T.D. met with a number of small businesses and entrepreneurs on a visit to Carrick on Shannon. Welcomed by Frank Curran, Chief Executive of Leitrim County Council and Joe Lowe, Head of Enterprise at Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Leitrim, the Minister met with three Leitrim-based LEO supported businesses at the Hive Enterprise Centre: Primary Planet - Ireland’s first children’s news magazine; Carrig Brewing Company; and McNiffe’s Bakery - a boxty and potato cake manufacturer. All three companies, which employ 24 people between them, have received direct financial assistance and mentoring from LEO Leitrim.

Emphasising the importance of small business to the Irish economy, Minister Breen said “Small businesses are critical for the Irish economy as a whole, and for balanced regional development. I am encouraged to see first-hand the level of entrepreneurial activity in Leitrim and the genuine talent, commitment and imagination of these local entrepreneurs. LEO Leitrim, in partnership with the County Council, provides a vital ‘first-stop-shop’ service to anyone thinking of starting or seeking to grow a business in the county. This demonstrates the Government’s commitment to maximising opportunities for new start-ups and existing small businesses in Leitrim”.

The Minister added: “With the search for Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE) 2016 underway in the LEOs nationwide, I would urge all aspiring young Leitrim entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 35 to grasp the opportunity and get your applications to www.ibye.ie by the 14th October deadline”.

Welcoming the Minister to Local Enterprise Office Leitrim, Head of Enterprise Joe Lowe said: “Leitrim is a very enterprising county and is an ideal location to start or expand a business. Minister Breen’s visit was an ideal opportunity to highlight Leitrim’s entrepreneurs, who have established successful businesses and created local jobs in our county.”

In the course of his visit to Carrick on Shannon, Minister Breen also met with Enterprise Ireland supported enterprises: Cora Systems Ltd. and Prior PLM Medical - Research and Development, and finished with a tour of the Vistamed facility in the IDA Business Park.

Further details on the supports available to small businesses in Leitrim are available through www.localenterprise.ie/Leitrim.