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Local Enterprise Offices open for business

Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore, Minister Richard Bruton and Minister Phil Hogan at the official launch of the LEOs today

Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore, Minister Richard Bruton and Minister Phil Hogan at the official launch of the LEOs today

New Offices will provide improved services to start-ups and small businesses across the count

Start-ups create two-thirds of all new jobs across the economy

The Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Minister for Jobs and Minister for the Environment today officially launched the nationwide system of Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs).

The network of 31 LEOs 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.

Today’s announcement means that from today, people thinking of starting or expanding a business in every part of the country will be able to access the full range of State supports provided by different Government bodies – for example local authorities, Enterprise Ireland, Revenue, the Department of Social Protection, the Credit Review Office, training bodies – in one easily accessible location within the local authority.

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 CEB supports, but were not exporting and therefore did not qualify for Enterprise Ireland supports – fell through the cracks between different agencies.

Today’s event also marked the official announcement of the dissolution of 35 independent State agencies which previously provided supports in this area, a move which will lead to savings and reduction in bureaucracy. The 31 Local Enterprise Offices will not be independent agencies and simply be offices within local authorities – although policy direction and funding will continue to be provided by Enterprise Ireland and the Minister for Jobs.

Read the full press release here.

Read the Taoiseach's full speech here.

Read the Tánaiste's full speech here.