Tag Archives: LEO

Deputy English praises the hard work of Clare LEO for supportive role THE “determination of the indigenous SME sector to succeed in the Mid-West” has been praised by a Minister of State on a visit to Clare. Damien English, Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, met with the Clare Local Enterprise Office (LEO), as part of a series of nationwide visits to meet the LEO teams and engage with some of their client companies. Minister English said, “The Local Enterprise Office in Clare have worked hard with businesses across the county over the past 18 months and have continued to offer exceptional services such as mentoring, training, upskilling and financial supports during the pandemic. “I am grateful to Padraic McElwee and the LEO team for helping local firms stay afloat and protecting local job opportunities, and especially for their commitment in assisting businesses to make the transition to online trading. “People have shown that by ‘Looking for Local’ …

MANY small businesses around the county are said to be playing a waiting game over their futures, with some cautious optimism that a new focus on supporting local companies could provide a life-line. While Phase Three of the re-opening of the economy brought a welcome upturn in footfall in towns across Clare, some businesses had already made the tough decision to keep their doors shut. “The future is less uncertain, but it is still is uncertain,” said Margaret O’Brien, CEO of Ennis Chamber of Commerce. “We’re very sad to see one our members who have already taken the decision not to re-open. Pandora had a very attractive shop on O’Connell Street, with a lovely offering and great staff. They had renewed their membership in March, so they certainly didn’t expect that they would be closing down for good. For the retail sector as a whole, there is a lot of concern about how things will go and it will be …

A net total of 173 new jobs were delivered in 2016 by small businesses in Clare that have been supported by Local Enterprise Office Clare. The figure is the fourth highest of the country’s 31-strong Local Enterprise Office network, according to the results of the latest LEO annual jobs survey published by Minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor and Minister for Employment and Small Business Pat Breen The results, compiled by Enterprise Ireland, show the total number of people employed in small businesses supported by Local Enterprise Office Clare stood at 1,110 (full-time and part-time) at the end of last year. Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council,Bill Chambers commented, “The strong jobs performance by Local Enterprise Office Clare clients during 2016 is extremely welcome and testament to the strong entrepreneurial activity ongoing throughout the county. The figures also underline the considerable role now played by Local Enterprise Office Clare in providing financial, information and training supports to entrepreneurs and micro enterprises.”

A net total of 3,533 new full and part-time jobs were delivered in 2015 by the 6,500 small businesses from across the country that have been supported by the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), according to Minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor. The results, compiled by Enterprise Ireland following a survey, show that overall in 2015 a total of 7,122 new full and part time jobs were created in gross terms. The numbers employed in LEO supported small businesses currently stand at 32,592 overall. The 31 LEOs provide a ‘first stop shop’ for supports and signposting to start-ups, micro enterprises and small businesses nationwide in one easily accessible place. Commenting on the 2015 results, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation said, “The creation of 3,533 net new jobs in 2015 by clients of the Local Enterprise Offices is a remarkable achievement and testament to the hard work and personal sacrifices being made by entrepreneurs in local communities all around the country. I …

Local Enterprise office Clare held the first of a series of women in business networking events on Tuesday. Special guest Maria Kelly, spoke to a large group of focused and successful business women.The network, which has grown in numbers over the last number of years, is testimony to the fact that female specific supports have been successful in increasing the number of female entreprenuers in Ireland. The Leo Clare women in business network has a diverse range of female entrepeneurs across varying sectors including; hospitality, retail, manufacturing, craft, food, tourism and new comers at early stage start up. The network welcomed back loyal members and greeted new members to the group. Collectively the business that were in attendance at this event employ in excess of over 450 people collectively, and this figure continues to grow. The presentation highlighted the importance of developing a business growth strategy. “Most small business owners are too busy or are too close to their business to …

Young people running their own business for least two years, are being encouraged to participate in a competition that could give them much needed finance. Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur’ (IBYE) competition is being promoted by the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) in Clare. As part of the Action Plan for Jobs initiative , it is aimed at those aged between 18 and 30 and the Local Enterprise Office has an investment fund of €20,000, to present to a “best established” business owner, based in the locality. Supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through Enterprise Ireland, the competition is designed to seek out and support entrepreneurial talent across the country. A total investment fund of €50,000 is on offer through the Local Enterprise Office, €20,000 of which, will go to the ‘Best Established Business’ winner. A further €20,000 investment fund is on offer for the ‘Best Start-Up’ winner locally, with €10,000 on offer to the ‘Best New Idea’ winner. …

Figures released this week show  that 202 extra jobs were created by County Clare companies, supported by the Department of Jobs, through the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Clare during 2014. The results reveal that at the end of 2014 total direct employment among the 161 LEO client companies in Clare stood at 1,346, up from 1,142. “In comparison to other local authority areas, LEO Clare has helped to deliver significant jobs growth during its first year of operation. These figures show that the LEO model of supporting the enterprise sector in Clare in partnership with the various agencies responsible for job creation in the region is helping to directly produce real jobs,” commented Fine Gael Senator Tony Mulcahy. “By bringing the functions of the former County Enterprise Boards into the Clare County Council structure, LEO Clare clearly is offering a more streamlined service for clients and is proactively reaching out to, engaging with, advising and funding small and micro businesses. As …

More than 250 Clare secondary school students participated in the county final of the Student Enterprise Awards at Treacys West County Hotel in Ennis today (Thursday). Hosted by the Local Enterprise Office Clare, the Awards Scheme forms part of Clare’s Student Enterprise Programme, which seeks to stimulate the creation of real-life businesses in secondary schools by encouraging students to research and manage their own business, with support from local business mentors. The Clare County Final saw students present 76 enterprise ideas at various stalls throughout the awards ceremony venue with prizes being awarded in nine categories. The first prize winners of the junior, intermediate and senior categories will go on to represent Clare in the national final in Croke Park on Wednesday, April 22. Student Enterprise Awards winners: Junior Category Winners – 1st Luxury Bags (St Anne’s Community College Killaloe), 2nd Buí Beauty (Scoil Mhuire Ennistymon), 3rd Nifty Knots (Scoil Mhuire Ennistymon). Intermediate Category Winners – 1st Blissful Beauty (St …