Enterprise arm bolsters job figures in Limerick
LIMERICK’S Local Enterprise Office (LEO) helped create 453 new jobs in 2023.
The facility, based out of Cecil Street in the city centre, is run by the council, with staff there responsible for supporting start-up companies which employ less than 10 people.
As well as funding, Limerick’s LEO provides training programmes and mentoring in a range of areas from financial skills and product innovation to starting your own business and maximising your presence online.
Mike Cantwell, the head of LEO in Limerick said: “The results announced are a testament to Limerick’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.”
Established in 2014, there is a LEO in each county in the Republic of Ireland.
Figures provided by the government reveal that staff at Limerick’s LEO support 313 client companies.
All taken together, these companies employ 2,049 people, with a total of 453 new jobs created through the calendar year.
When downsizing of some companies is taken into account, it led to a net gain of 238 new positions across the city and county.
Minister of State for Housing and Planning, local TD Kieran O’Donnell said: “LEOs play a hugely important role in supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs right across the country, providing expert advice, mentorship, as well as financial supports.”
“From supporting businesses to move online through the trading online voucher scheme, to helping businesses ‘go green’ with the green for business scheme and the new energy efficiency grant, LEO support can make a huge difference to our small businesses,” he added.
Across the State, the LEO network supported more than 38,700 jobs from over 7,000 businesses in 2023.
Nationwide, a total of 6,640 jobs were created with the support of LEOs in 2023.
“Fine Gael is always proud to back business and our LEOs; in Budget 2024, an additional €9 million in funding was secured to ensure that LEOs can continue to support our entrepreneurs across Limerick,” Mr O’Donnell concluded.