The County and City Managers’ Association (CCMA) today (29th April 2014) welcomed the official opening by Taoiseach Enda Kenny of the 31 Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) across the Local Authority network. “We are delighted to be providing this new and enhanced support for small businesses at local level” said Mr Daniel McLoughlin, CCMA Chair and County Manager, South Dublin County Council. “LEOs will be the front line in delivering business growth and jobs, providing direct support and pulling together all the players – agencies, local authorities and the private sector – to support everyone with a good business idea and strengthen the enterprise sector in every local area.”
2014 has been designated the Year of Jobs with over 61,000 jobs created in the past 12 months. To further accelerate this, the LEO will be the ‘first stop shop’ for all Government supports for anyone who wants to start or expand their business and create jobs in the towns and villages of every county in Ireland.
“We will develop local enterprise plans putting micro and small business at the heart of job creation locally. By bringing the functions of the old County and City Enterprise Boards into the local authority structure we are confident that we can offer a more streamlined service for clients. Our aim is to overcome the typical barriers to success that small businesses face such as management skills, access to finance or lack of marketing or planning skills”, added Mr McLoughlin.
New Protocols have been developed with key agencies, such as Revenue, Department of Social Protection, Department of Education and Training Boards, Skillnets, Microfinance Ireland and the Credit Review Office to ensure clients have access to all Government supports. As well as advice and direct supports LEOs will promote a pro-enterprise culture locally, by organising enterprise events, supporting local business networks and working with local Chambers and other organisations such as schools etc.
The Local Enterprise Office also has the full support of Enterprise Ireland and other agencies that support business. Enterprise Ireland’s considerable expertise nationwide in supporting entrepreneurs, innovation and exports – and growing small local businesses into outward international companies - will be available through Local Enterprise Offices.
Futher information on the LEOs and links to individual offices at https://www.localenterprise.ie/
Further information on the launch at http://www.enterprise.gov.ie/en/News/Local-Enterprise-Offices-are-open-for-business.html