Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English, T.D., was in Offaly yesterday where he met with council officials and members of the Local Enterprise Office Offaly team as well as some of our client companies

The Minister was greeted at Birr Civic Centre by Leas Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council, Cllr. Tony McCormack, Chief Executive, Anna Marie Delaney, Head of Enterprise, Orla Martin, Cathaoirleach of the Birr Area, Cllr. John Carroll, Cllr. John Clendennen and Pat Gorman, member of the Evaluation and Approvals Committee. 

Cllr. Tony McCormack in his welcome address thanked Minister English for taking the time to visit Offaly and also commended the Local Enterprise Office Offaly team.

Cllr. McCormack said the LEO team “have supported 1047 jobs across 212 client companies in 2021, with a net gain of 29 jobs. In addition, the Local Enterprise Office assisted many other businesses with business advice, guidance, enterprise training and access to business loans."

The Minister then met with LEO team members and members of the Evaluation and Approvals Committee to hear about the work that is ongoing in the county as well as their priorities and future plans."

Minister English was then introduced to this year’s finalists from the Offaly Enterprise Awards and other enterprises from around the County.

Minister English also met with Seamus Duffy, I-LOFAR Education & Engagement Manager and with Caitriona Montgomery, Business Development Manager in stream BIRR.

Minister English said:

“The importance of the LEO network to local businesses cannot be overstated. They provide a vital service in supporting companies whether it is through training, mentoring or with other important supports. Our new Regional Enterprise Plans are very much region specific, building on local strengths, and in this regard, the LEOs have a hugely important role to play in their success and in helping to drive economic activity here in Offaly.”

Minister English then visited Birr-based LEO client company, Applied Concepts Ltd, which was established in 2007 by Mark Clendennen. The company designs and manufactures high-quality sandblasting machines as well as various blasting parts and accessories and is a market leader in the industry.

The Minister then travelled to Ferbane to visit Euram Air Leases, a business established by John Odlum, also in 2007. The company specialises in civil aircraft, engine and inventory trading, consignment management and sales.

On the conclusion of his visit to Offaly, Minister English said:

“I am delighted to have visited Offaly to meet with so many enterprising people and hear about their exciting plans. I am regularly impressed with the diversity of businesses that engage with our LEO teams all over the country. Today I met with a local company who are market leaders in the sandblasting industry and another who are successfully trading in the global airline industry. The willingness of businesses like these to grasp opportunities is vital in delivering regional growth and job creation and the Government will continue to support such innovation and ambition to ensure our economic growth.”