LOCAL ENTERPRISE OFFICE CLIENTS NOW SUPPORTING A RECORD NUMBER OF JOBS SMALL BUSINESSES CREATED 7,261 NEW JOBS LAST YEAR WITH LOCAL ENTERPRISE OFFICE FUNDING
- 7,261 new jobs created in 2025
- 7% employment increase on 2024
- Net employment gain of 2,479
- 12th year of consecutive jobs growth for LEOs
- 7,148 companies with 40,285 jobs financially supported by LEOs
- 82% of new jobs created were outside the Dublin region
For the first time since their inception in 2014, the number of jobs financially supported by the Local Enterprise Offices has gone above 40,000 across the country. Client companies who have received funding through their Local Enterprise Office (LEO) are now supporting 40,285 jobs. This is up 7% on 2024. The figures will be announced today at LEO client company, the Smooth Company, by Minister of State for Employment, Small Business and Retail, Alan Dillon, T.D.
In 2025, Local Enterprise Office client companies created 7,261 new jobs with a net employment gain for the year of 2,479. This means it is the 12th consecutive year of jobs growth for the Local Enterprise Offices since their inception in 2014, with both jobs created and net jobs up on the 2024 figures.
The jobs have been supported by LEO funding and do not account for other jobs that would have been created by additional LEO supports such as training, mentoring and, competitiveness and productivity supports. The figures also show that 82% of the new jobs were created outside of Dublin.
The figures also highlighted specific challenges and opportunities in the small business sector. Recruitment and retention are ongoing issues for smaller businesses in competition with larger companies. The cost of doing business continues to be an issue and many are moving from part-time and seasonal workers to subcontracting and project-based work arrangements.
In the small business sector, there is strong job growth in manufacturing, engineering, energy and environmental services, design, and technology led businesses. These sectors are benefiting from rising market demand, ongoing technological innovation, and the transition towards more sustainable and digitally enabled business models, positioning them as key drivers of employment growth across the LEO client base
Minister Alan Dillon T.D., said; “The 31 Local Enterprise Offices continue to be the backbone of local economic development, supporting 40,285 jobs in 2025, the highest level since their establishment. Last year alone, LEO client companies created 7,261 new jobs, delivering a 7% increase on 2024 and marking the 12th consecutive year of jobs growth.
Crucially, 82% of these new jobs were created outside Dublin, demonstrating the impact of targeted local supports in every region. From digitalisation to sustainability and export development, our LEOs are helping small businesses compete and scale. Government remains firmly committed to strengthening these supports so that entrepreneurs nationwide can continue to grow and thrive.”
Kieran Comerford, Chair of the Local Enterprise Offices, said; “These figures highlight the significant impact that the Local Enterprise Offices and their clients are making in driving economic growth across the country. The creation of over 7,000 jobs is only a small part of the role that LEOs are playing in fostering entrepreneurship and growing enterprise in towns, villages and communities all over Ireland
“These jobs and clients figures only reflect those who have received financial funding from their LEO and do not capture the thousands more that receive the likes of Lean, Green and Digital supports or training and mentoring. The numbers today are immensely positive and reflect the resilience of the small business sector and we look forward to growing our work with these businesses in 2026 and to help those who have a great idea to get started.”
Today’s announcement took place at The Smooth Company, a business supported by Local Enterprise Office South Dublin. Established by Áine Kennedy in 2022 the company launched their first product the Smooth Stick and followed this with several products and market expansion since. They have been significantly supported by the LEO since 2022 and increased their jobs by 40% in 2025. Áine Kennedy was also named EY Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year in 2025.
Anne Lanigan, Head of Local Enterprise and Regions, Enterprise Ireland, said; “These strong employment results reflect the impact of the Local Enterprise Office network and the ambition of the small businesses it supports across the country. The continued growth in jobs, with 82% of the new jobs created last year outside Dublin, shows that entrepreneurs can start, grow and scale their businesses from anywhere in Ireland. Enterprise Ireland will continue to work closely with the Local Enterprise Offices in areas such as competitiveness, sustainability and digitalisation, supporting businesses to strengthen capability and create jobs in 2026 and beyond.”
Shane Tiernan, Chair of the County and City Management Association’s (CCMA) Economic Development Committee and Chief Executive of Roscommon County Council, said: “Today’s jobs figures are really good news. Thriving small and medium-sized businesses are essential to every local economy and local authorities support them through our Local Enterprise Offices. There is a LEO in every single local authority in the country, offering expertise and advice on the services available to entrepreneurs and potential entrepreneurs. We encourage anyone interested in starting or growing a small business to explore what their Local Enterprise Office has to offer.”
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 for the first stop 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. The Local Enterprise Offices are running a campaign encouraging small businesses to save time money and energy by availing of their competitiveness and productivity supports including Green, Lean and Digital for Business. www.AllInADaysWork.ie For more information on the Local Enterprise Offices go to www.LocalEnterprise.ie
