Local Enterprise Office client companies created 7,261 new jobs in 2025

Jobs in Ireland financially supported by LEOs now above 40,000

Wed, 21 Jan, 2026 - 15:28

Martin Claffey

The number of jobs in Ireland financially supported by the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) has gone above 40,000, figures released on Wednesday show.

In 2025, Local Enterprise Office client companies created 7,261 new jobs with a net employment gain for the year of 2,479. Some 82% of the new jobs were created outside of Dublin.

Client companies who have received funding through LEOs are now supporting 40,285 jobs, up 7% on 2024.

"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," said Minister of State for Employment, Small Business and Retail, Alan Dillon.

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 a first stop for entrepreneurs and small businesses and providing a range of supports including financial, mentoring, training and sector specific expertise.

Kieran Comerford, chair of the network of LEOs, said 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.

"We look forward to growing our work with these businesses in 2026 and to help those who have a great idea to get started.”