Kildare County Council’s Local Enterprise Office accredited with creating 323 jobs in 2024
Now supporting over 277 small businesses and 1,438 jobs
10th February 2025: Recent figures released by Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke, T.D., reveal that companies supported by Kildare County Council’s Local Enterprise Office (LEO) created 323 jobs in 2024.
Taking into account companies that amalgamated, ceased trading or transferred to Enterprise Ireland, there were 163 net jobs created by LEO Kildare supported clients in 2024.
Nationally, Local Enterprise Offices now financially support 39,541 jobs across 7,176 companies. This is the highest number since the inception of LEOs in 2014.
In 2024 there were 7,104 new jobs created by national LEO clients’ companies. with a net jobs creation figure of 2,459, up 7% from 2023. Out of the jobs created, 81% were outside of the Dublin region.
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 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.
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.
Jacqui McNabb, Head of Enterprise, Tourism and Economic Development, Kildare County Council 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.”
