€200k for Local Enterprise Offices in Limerick

THE Government has announced €200,000 investment for local enterprise offices in the city and county, as part of a nationwide initiative to help create jobs. 

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mary Mitchell O’Connor and Minister of State for Employment and Small Business, Pat Breen recently launched the funding initiative which will see local enterprise office clients around the country receiving a €1.85m boost.

Welcoming the funding announcement, Fine Gael Senator Maria Byrne said: “The funding is being made available to 15 LEOs to assist micro-enterprises in creating local jobs. It is being provided to those LEOs that have identified a pipeline of demand for financial assistance for projects that can be initiated this year.

“The funding of €200,000 for LEOs in Limerick will be used to provide direct capital grant assistance to micro-enterprises within Limerick. The aim is to assist Limerick’s entrepreneurs to start-up or expand their business. In total it is expected that the funding will assist micro-enterprises to create or sustain over 300 jobs across the country.”

There are more than 6,500 LEO clients across the country, and in 2015 more than 7,000 new full- and part-time jobs were created.

“I would encourage all micro and small business owners in Limerick to engage with their local LEO, even if they don’t currently need financial support, as there are a huge number of other supports available to them.”

Sen Byrne added that LEOs are a “key service” in supporting local businesses that provide “an excellent first-stop-shop” service.