Employment at Local Enterprise Office companies up 10% from 2021

In 2022, Local Enterprise Office supported companies create 7,870 new jobs in 2022 resulting in a net employment gain of 3,447 for the year in spite of difficult economic conditions related to the cost of living and energy crises.

The results showed a 10% increase in employment in Local Enterprise Office supported companies compared to 2021 and is the ninth consecutive year of jobs growth by the LEOs.

The figures also revealed that 84% of the new jobs created were outside of the Dublin region and there was employment growth in each of the 31 Local Enterprise Offices.

“These results show the significant role the Local Enterprise Offices are playing in not only creating new businesses and jobs but also in sustaining them. On the back of some of the most difficult years for small businesses we are still seeing growth across the country. During the pandemic we saw how essential the LEOs were to small businesses and they will be essential as we navigate the ongoing cost of living and energy crises,” said Simon Coveney, T.D., Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

“With 84% of new jobs being created outside of Dublin it reinforces the Government’s strategy to strengthen employment throughout Ireland. As the remit of the Local Enterprise Offices has now broadened to companies up to 50 employees, even more SMEs will be able to avail of their supports, but also their expertise in growing enterprise in towns and villages across the country.”

Local Enterprise Offices, located in the local authorities and funded by Enterprise Ireland, now financially support 7,221 client companies in their portfolio and a total of 37,863 jobs.

Support initiatives

The LEOs also support thousands of additional companies through a range of programmes and initiatives such as Digital Start, Green for Micro, the Trading Online Voucher and Lean for Micro.

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.

“While the figures point to supporting over 7,000 companies, that is just our financial interventions. In many cases our training, mentoring and supports such as Lean, Green and Digital can create just as significant impact on a business and we work with thousands of those companies across the country,” said Padraic McElwee, Chair of the network of Local Enterprise Offices.

“Small businesses know that many challenges still lie ahead in 2023 but what we have seen in recent years is the adaptability and resilience of our SMEs. We will continue to support that going forward, working closely with our partners and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment we will ensure we are providing the best guidance and supports to our new and growing businesses,” he added.