LOCAL ENTERPRISE OFFICE WESTMEATH NOW SUPPORTING OVER 254 SMALL BUSINESSES FINANCIALLY AND 1272 JOBS ACCORDING TO NEW FIGURES

• 249 new jobs created in 2021
• Net employment gain of 181 in 2021
• 254 total small businesses employing 1272 people supported by Financial Grant Assistance by LEO Westmeath.

Today, at a live virtual event, An Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar TD, announced the annual results of the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) for 2021 which showed that Local Enterprise Office Westmeath financially supported companies created 249 jobs in 2021. 

The net jobs created by Local Enterprise Office Westmeath supported clients in 2021 was 181 which takes into account companies that amalgamated, ceased trading and those that transferred on to Enterprise Ireland.  In 2021 there were 131 transfers nationally by Local Enterprise Office companies to Enterprise Ireland.

The new figures show that the LEO Westmeath financially supported 254 small businesses in their portfolio across the county these companies in turn employ 1272 people. 

The total national figures for the Local Enterprise Offices across the country were announced with the LEOs now supporting 35,729 jobs across 7,158 companies.  In 2021 there were 7,440 new jobs created by LEO clients companies with a net jobs creation figure of 2,999.  This was up 9% nationally on 2020.  From those figures, 85% of those employed in LEO supported companies are outside the Dublin region.    

The LEOs also provide other substantially 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. In 2021 1,812 participants attended training programmes/seminars with 456 participants availing of individual mentoring assignments.    

The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar TD said: “Over 35,000 people employed in small businesses around the country have been helped in some way by our Local Enterprise Offices. They are at the heart of communities in every county, always on hand to provide advice, training or financial backing and have proved invaluable throughout the pandemic, during which I know a huge amount of people relied on their local office.

“Last year, businesses supported by LEOs created nearly 3,000 net new jobs, which is remarkable given the year we just had. I’m really pleased to see that 85% of these jobs were outside of Dublin, indicating the Government’s focus on balanced regional development is working.

“These numbers a real boost today and will contribute to our overall target of having 2.5m people in work by 2024. Thank you to all our LEO staff for your phenomenal work over the past year.”

The Local Enterprise Offices were to the fore in supporting small businesses across the country in 2021, 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.    

Christine Charlton, Head of Enterprise, LEO Westmeath said; “The results announced today are a testament to Ireland’s small business community.  When faced with adversity, they have adapted, pivoted, upskilled and did whatever it took to sustain themselves.  The figures show that companies have seen the opportunities in the challenging trading conditions they have faced.  The Local Enterprise Offices across the country have gone above and beyond in their support of small businesses but there is renewed optimism.  We are seeing new opportunities for Irish businesses here and as always with tough economic periods we see new ideas and companies emerge and flourish.  This year will be no different and as we continue to work closely with Enterprise Ireland and the local authorities to ensure our small businesses get the best possible supports there are certainly green shoots emerging across the country.” 

Welcoming the strong employment results, Enterprise Ireland CEO, Leo Clancy said; “2021 was another very positive year for job creation in companies supported by the Local Enterprise Offices.  Companies supported by the Local Enterprise Offices are creating good quality employment across the country and play a vital role in vibrant local economies.

The Local Enterprise Offices located in the local authorities and funded through Enterprise Ireland support over 7,158 small Irish businesses and entrepreneurs nationwide.  Since their establishment in 2014 they have been the first stop shop for entrepreneurs and small businesses, providing a range of supports including financial, mentoring, training and sector specific expertise to help guide businesses at any stage of their development.