merrion street

16th May 2014, Jimmy Deenihan, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht today officially launched the Kerry Local Enterprise Office (LEO).

The Kerry LEO is part of a network of 31 LEOs which will deliver an improved system of local enterprise supports to start-ups and small businesses across the country – with more staff, more funding, and more services being provided.

Start-ups create two-thirds of all new jobs across the economy. From today, people thinking of starting or expanding a business in every part of Kerry will be able to access the full range of State supports provided by different Government bodies – for example Kerry County Council, Enterprise Ireland, Revenue, the Department of Social Protection, the Credit Review Office, training bodies – in one easily accessible location within the local authority.

Speaking ahead of the event Minister Deenihan said:

“The Kerry Local Enterprise Office will deliver more and better services to start-ups and small businesses across the county that we rely on to create the jobs we need – with more staff and more funding. The LEOs are about promoting entrepreneurship and self-help, they will be the first-stop-shop for those beginning a new business as well as those wishing to expand their existing one. This is a good day for Kerry”

The establishment of the LEOs will mean that all categories of business – including sole traders, micro businesses and small and medium sized companies – will have access to Government supports and advice. Previously some businesses – for example, companies who were too large to access County Enterprise Board supports, but were not exporting and therefore did not qualify for Enterprise Ireland supports – fell through the cracks between different agencies.