Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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404. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of jobs created due to supports provided by local enterprise offices in 2018 and to date in 2019. [45122/19]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Local Enterprise Offices are the ‘first-stop-shop’ for providing advice and guidance, financial assistance and other supports to those wishing to start or grow their own business. Each LEO is a hub of expert advice, information and practical supports.

The LEOs can offer direct grant aid to microenterprises in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sector which, over time, have the potential to develop into strong export entities. Subject to certain eligibility criteria, the LEOs can provide financial assistance within three main categories;

- Feasibility Grants (investigating the potential of a business idea)

- Priming Grants (to part-fund a start-up)

- Business Development grants for existing businesses that want to expand.

This is the 5th year for employment growth for the Local Enterprise Offices, with a gross figure of 8,007 jobs (net 3,656) created nationwide in 2018 as a result of supports provided by the Local Enterprise Offices.

Please note that the 2019 LEO performance outcomes will not be known until completion of the annual employment survey of LEO clients in Q1 2020.

Further detail on the LEO performance in 2018 can be found through the link below.