New Local Enterprise Office Opens

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation has officially opened the Donegal Local Enterprise Office (LEO).

The Donegal LEO is part of a network of 31 LEOs which will deliver an improved system of local enterprise supports to start-ups and small businesses across Ireland, providing more staff, funding and services.

The launch means that people thinking of starting or expanding a business in Donegal will now be able to access the full range of State supports provided by different Government bodies, in one easily accessible location within the local authority. The support and advice also ranges from sole traders to small and medium-sized companies.

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton TD said: "The Donegal Local Enterprise Office will deliver more services and better services to the start-ups and small businesses across the county that we rely on to create the jobs we need – with more staff and more funding. Today is a good day for business in Donegal.

"A key part of our Action Plan for Jobs is supporting job-creation across every region of the country. Donegal was hit hard by the collapse in employment across the country between 2008-2010, with more than 10,000 people joining the live register.

"Across the Border region more than 30,000 jobs were lost. It is encouraging that over the past three years we have seen real progress in Donegal, with 2,000 people leaving the live register and for example 500 additional people working in IDA companies in the county.

"Across the border region more than 14,000 jobs have been added over the past year. However we must do more to make the recovery local, and that is why were are making changes like – establishing the Donegal LEO, building advance IDA facilities in Letterkenny and a new competition to find the best young entrepreneur in Donegal."

(JP)