Funding Secured For Job Creation

Funding of €1.85 million has been secured for 15 Local Entreprise Offices (LEOs) to help create local jobs by assisting micro-enterprises.

The funding was announced by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation Mary Mitchell O'Connor, and Minister of State for Employment & Small Business Pat Breen, who said that the funding was available to LEOs that "have identified a pipeline of demand for financial assistance for projects that can be initiated this year".

Making the announcement Minister Mitchell O'Connor said: "Since their establishment in April 2014, the Local Enterprise Offices have been facing increased demand for their services as the economy recovers. I am pleased to be able to enable the LEOs to cater for identified demand by adjusting the allocation of the Capital funding available for local enterprise development this year.

"This re-allocation of €1.85m in local enterprise development Capital funding will help the LEOs to support micro-enterprises to create or sustain over 300 jobs in LEOs across the country."

The Minister also said that she would encourage all micro and small business owners to engage with the LEO for their area, even if they don't currently need financial support. "I think they would be surprised at the quality and usefulness of the supports that would be made available to them," she added.

(MH)