Local Enterprise Offices Launched

The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, and the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan TD, together with the Minister of State for Small Business, John Perry TD, yesterday showcased a Local Enterprise Office (LEO) in Fingal County Council, and announced details of the improved new support service for micro and small enterprises to be provided.

Ministers Bruton, Hogan and Perry announcing details of new Local Enterprise Offices

As part of a radical reform of the system of supports for micro and small enterprises, aimed at delivering a world-class service, the first-stop shop service will be delivered through a network of 31 LEOs across the country.

Among the improved services delivered will be:

• Mentoring programmes overseen by Enterprise Ireland 
• Training and management development programmes overseen by Enterprise Ireland 
• Pathway into the range of Enterprise Ireland supports for high-growth companies with ambitions to export 
• Advice on and access to a range of services from across Government, including Revenue, Credit Review Office, the Companies Registration Office 
• Companies with over 10 employees operating exclusively in the domestic market, which currently in most cases are not supported by the State, will be eligible for supports under the new system 
• Access to the range of support services – including planning and licensing – offered by the Business Support units of Local Authorities 
• Access to the various training services offered by SOLAS 
• Access to the Microfinance Ireland Loan Fund