Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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27. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if further discussions have taken place within his Department in relation to the provision of a local enterprise office for Drogheda and east County Meath to cater for the significant population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40141/21]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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My Department in conjunction with the Local Enterprise Offices network across the country has continued to develop a range of financial aid and business assistance programmes to help local businesses with the LEOs acting as a ‘first-stop-shop’ for advice and guidance, financial assistance, and other programmes for anyone intending to start or grow a business.

In that regard, both the Louth and Meath Local Enterprise Offices encourage a strong spirit of entrepreneurship throughout their respective Local Authority areas and ensure that all businesses within their locality are supported through grant aid, where applicable, and an extensive suite of training and development programmes on the basis of needs and qualifying criteria. I am assured that the full range of financial aid, programmes and activities that both Louth and Meath Local Enterprise Offices deliver are dispersed in an equitable and transparent way throughout both counties.

In regard to the suggestion of an additional Local Enterprise Office; when the Local Enterprise Office network was instituted under the County Enterprise Boards (Dissolution) Act, 2014, a Local Enterprise Office was established on the basis of the functional area of the 31 County and City Councils in Ireland. This model has been in operation for over 7 years with excellent and deepening co-operation between my Department, Enterprise Ireland and the Local Authorities over time. This collaboration has been the platform for ongoing and incremental success in terms of client engagement and strong local jobs growth in both Louth and Meath. In addition, the LEO network nationally provides a forum for sharing of good practice and collaboration between Local Enterprise Offices. There are no plans to change the structure.

In terms of LEO involvement in both counties, the following key statistics for both Louth and Meath Local Enterprise Offices indicate a healthy level of performance in both areas.

LEO Louth – Key Statistics

LEO Meath – Key Statistics