Local Enterprise Offices to help Tipperary Small Businesses

Local News, Announcements

A new iniatiative which will see the introduction of Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) nationwide will offer improved services to Tipperary small businesses.

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 showcased a Local Enterprise Office (LEO) in Fingal County Council while also announcing details of the improved new support service for micro and small enterprises.

A network of 31 LEOs across the country will now provide a system of supports for micro and small enterprises as part of the improved new service. As a result, micro and small enterprises can avail of:

•  Mentoring programmes overseen by Enterprise Ireland
• Training and management development programmes overseen by Enterprise Ireland
• Pathway into the range of Enterprise Ireland supports for companies with ambitions to export
• Advice on and access to a range of services from across Government
• Companies with over 10 employees operating exclusively in the domestic market will be eligible for supports under the new system
• Access to the range of support services – including planning and licensing
• Access to the various training services offered by SOLAS
• Access to the Microfinance Ireland Loan Fund

According to Minister Perry “The LEOs will allow local businesses access vital information, advice and guidance, including access to other State services with supports relevant to small business". 

Noel Coonan TD has welcomed this news and added "It will bring together for the first time in a structured manner the skills, experience and resources of Enterprise Ireland, the CEBs and the Local Authorities to micro and small businesses".

These LEOs will not have any separate individual legal standing but will be business units within a Local Authority reporting ultimately to the County Manager as with other Units within a Local Authority. The LEO will be staffed by the combined resources of the staff of the former CEB and the staff of the Business Support Unit of the Local Authority.