Yesterday, Minister of State for Employment, Small Business and Retail, Alan Dillon, T.D., announced the annual results of the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) for 2025, which showed that companies supported by Local Enterprise Office Wicklow created 115 jobs in 2025. 

Net figures of 50 jobs were created by clients that the Local Enterprise Office Wicklow supported in 2025. This takes into account companies that amalgamated, ceased trading and those that transferred onto Enterprise Ireland. The new figures show that the LEO Wicklow financially supported 159 small businesses in their portfolio across the county, and these companies in turn employ 695 people. 

The Local Enterprise Offices were to the fore in supporting small businesses across the country in 2025, helping thousands to secure funding, upskill and avail of supports to becoming more sustainable and competitive.  Recent supports such as the Grow Digital Voucher enables small businesses to take their first steps in digitalisation and the Market Explorer Grant supports companies in looking at new markets. 

Speaking at the announcement Minister Alan Dillon T.D. said, “The 31 Local Enterprise Offices continue to be the backbone of local economic development, supporting 40,285 jobs in 2025, the highest level since their establishment. Last year alone, LEO client companies created 7,261 new jobs, delivering a 7% increase on 2024 and marking the 12th consecutive year of jobs growth. Crucially, 82% of these new jobs were created outside Dublin, demonstrating the impact of targeted local supports in every region. From digitalisation to sustainability and export development, our LEOs are helping small businesses compete and scale. Government remains firmly committed to strengthening these supports so that entrepreneurs nationwide can continue to grow and thrive.”

Commenting on the results, Cllr. Melanie Corrigan, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council said, “These figures highlight the significant impact that the Local Enterprise Offices and their clients are making in driving economic growth across the country.  The creation of over 7,000 jobs is only a small part of the role that LEOs are playing in fostering entrepreneurship and growing enterprise in towns, villages and communities all over Ireland. These jobs and clients figures only reflect those who have received financial funding from their LEO and do not capture the thousands more that receive the likes of Lean, Green and Digital supports or training and mentoring. The numbers today are immensely positive and reflect the resilience of the small business sector and we look forward to growing our work with these businesses in 2026 and to help those who have a great idea to get started.”

Emer O’Gorman, Chief Executive, Wicklow County Council said, “Small businesses are the backbone of the local economy and these impressive employment results show that, despite near full employment, local business can sustain and grow jobs with the help of the Local Enterprise Office Wicklow. I urge business owners and start ups to avail of the wide range of supports available to them whether it is to create jobs, future proof their business, reduce overheads and energy costs or avail of mentoring in areas that they need help in.”

Anne Lanigan, Head of Local Enterprise and Regions, Enterprise Ireland, said, “These strong employment results reflect the impact of the Local Enterprise Office network and the ambition of the small businesses it supports across the country. The continued growth in jobs, with 82% of the new jobs created last year outside Dublin, shows that entrepreneurs can start, grow and scale their businesses from anywhere in Ireland. Enterprise Ireland will continue to work closely with the Local Enterprise Offices in areas such as competitiveness, sustainability and digitalisation, supporting businesses to strengthen capability and create jobs in 2026 and beyond.”

The Local Enterprise Offices located in the local authorities and funded through Enterprise Ireland, support thousands of small Irish businesses and entrepreneurs nationwide. Since their establishment in 2014 they have been for the first stop shop for entrepreneurs and small businesses and providing a range of supports including financial, mentoring, training and sector specific expertise to help guide businesses at any stage of their development. 

They also run key initiatives to foster entrepreneurship across the country including Local Enterprise Week, National Women’s Enterprise Day, the Student Enterprise Programme and the National Enterprise Awards.  The Local Enterprise Offices are also running a campaign encouraging small businesses to save time money and energy by availing of their competitiveness and productivity supports including Green, Lean and Digital for Business.  www.AllInADaysWork.ie

For more information on the Local Enterprise Offices go to www.LocalEnterprise.ie

IMAGE:

Visit by Tánaiste Simon Harris T.D. to Ace Group Ltd in Blessington, where owner Robin Gardiner announced his growth plans for doubling the capacity and workforce in the company. From L-R: Cllr. Jason Mulhall, Cllr. Pat Mahon, Vibeke Delahunt (Head of Enterprise LEO Wicklow), Cllr. Avril Cronin, Cathaoirleach Baltinglass MD, Tánaiste Simon Harris T.D., Robin Gardiner (CE Ace Group Ltd), Cllr. Melanie Corrigan, Cathaoirleach Wicklow County Council, Emer O’Gorman, Chief Executive Wicklow County Council, Edward Timmons T.D. and Cllr. Patsy Glennon. Photo by Mick Kelly.