Local Enterprise Office Carlow Now Supporting 219 Small Businesses And 1,106 Jobs According To New Figures
- 314 new jobs created in 2024
- 10% job increase from 2023
- 11th year of YoY jobs growth
- Net employment gain of 102 in 2024
- 219 total small businesses employing 1,106 people supported by LEO Carlow
Today, Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke, T.D., announced the annual results of the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) for 2024 which showed that Local Enterprise Office Carlow supported companies created 314 jobs in 2024.
The net jobs created by Local Enterprise Office Carlow supported clients in 2024 was 102, which takes into account companies that amalgamated, ceased trading and those that transferred on to Enterprise Ireland.
The new figures show that the LEO Carlow financially supported 219 small businesses in their portfolio across the county these companies in turn employ 1,106 people.
The total national figures for the Local Enterprise Offices across the country were announced with the LEOs now financially supporting 39,541 jobs across 7,176 companies. This is the most jobs the Local Enterprise Offices have supported nationally since their inception in 2014.
In 2024 there were 7,104 new jobs created by LEO clients companies with a net jobs creation figure of 2,459. This was up 7% nationally on 2023. From the jobs created, 81% were outside of the Dublin region.
The LEOs also provide substantial funded supports to thousands of other small businesses across the country with programmes such as the Energy Efficiency Grant, Lean for Business and Green for Business along with training and mentoring.
Minister Peter Burke, T.D., said; “The 31 Local Enterprise Offices continue to be the primary anchor for economic development in communities across the country. Our LEOs ensure that every small business, regardless of location, has a support system available to them, no matter what their concern. The continued broadening of the Local Enterprise Office remit highlights the value they add to our SME community.
It has never been easier for a small business to access supports through their Local Enterprise Office, including companies looking to digitalise their operations, to take their first steps in sustainability or identifying new markets. These areas will be key pillars going forward to ensure our small businesses can continue to compete both at home and abroad. Government is firmly committed to supporting them all the way.”
The Local Enterprise Offices were to the fore in supporting small businesses across the country in 2024, helping thousands to become secure funding, upskill and avail of supports to becoming more sustainable and competitive. They also released new supports with the Grow Digital Voucher enabling small businesses to take their first steps in digitalisation and the Market Explorer Grant to support companies in looking at new markets.
Kieran Comerford, Head of Economic Development & Enterprise with Carlow County Council’s Local Enterprise Office 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.”
Carol Gibbons, Head of Entrepreneurship, Regions and Local Enterprise at Enterprise Ireland, said; “2024 was a challenging year for business and these very positive employment results are a testament to the dedication and commitment of the LEO network across the country and the ambitious businesses it supports.
“Key to the success of the LEO network is the close relationship it fosters with both start-up and scaling businesses across communities. It is particularly encouraging to see the breadth of new jobs created across the country and showing that if you want to start and scale a company, the supports are there to do it from anywhere in Ireland.
Enterprise Ireland will continue to work closely with the LEO network particularly in the areas of competitiveness, sustainability and digitalisation in 2025 giving them the support and advice they need to start, grow and to explore new markets this year and beyond.”
Coilín O'Reilly, Chief Executive of Carlow County Council added “The results announced today highlight the vital role of Local Enterprise Office Carlow, as part of Carlow County Council, in driving job creation and fostering innovation within our small business community. These achievements reflect the talent, resilience, and determination of local entrepreneurs who have embraced opportunities despite challenges.
As a Council, we are committed to supporting job creation across multiple fronts—whether through the Local Enterprise Office, strategic infrastructure development, enhancing digital transformation, or initiatives to promote sustainability and competitiveness. The significant growth in jobs and businesses supported in 2024 showcases the positive impact of these collaborative efforts. Carlow County Council will continue to work closely with Enterprise Ireland and our business community to ensure that Carlow remains a vibrant and sustainable hub for enterprise, providing opportunities for all to thrive.”
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 shop 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 also 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