New supports for SME as part of Budget 2023

LOCAL ENTERPRISE OFFICES WELCOME NEW SUPPORTS AND ENCOURAGE SMALL BUSINESSES MAKE CONTACT

The network of Local Enterprise Offices today welcomed the new supports being made available to small businesses as part of Budget 2023.

Padraic McElwee, Chair of the network of Local Enterprise Offices has stressed that small businesses make contact with their LEO as they plan for the next 12 months. “Small businesses have had to ensure several years of hardship through challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit. These have brought much uncertainty to trading conditions.

“As we now face into the winter of a cost-of-living crisis that is putting pressure on every small business, it is welcome to see that the Government will be supporting companies and their significant challenges related to rising energy costs and helping businesses to become more sustainable for the future.

“This will no doubt be of comfort to businesses but what we would say to any small business is to reach out to your Local Enterprise Office and see what we can do for you. Many businesses can avail of a range of supports that will make their companies work more efficiently, and in many cases will save them money.

Initiatives such as the Lean, Digital and Green programmes will have a positive impact on most businesses. So, we would ask companies to engage with us, we can work with you on ways and means to adapt your business for the next 6 months and beyond.

“We will continue to work with our colleagues in the Department of Enterprise, Trade, and Employment, Enterprise Ireland and the Local Authorities to help small businesses in any way we can over the coming months and our doors are always open.”