Over 400 jobs supported in 2025 by Kildare Co Council's Local Enterprise Office

The Minister of State for Employment, Small Business and Retail, Alan Dillon recently announced the annual results of the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) for 2025 which revealed that Local Enterprise Office Kildare supported the creation of 417 jobs in 2025.  This marks a substantial increase from the 323 jobs created by LEO Kildare in 2024. 

 Nationally, the Local Enterprise Offices across the country now supports 40,285 jobs across 7,148 small businesses, the highest level since the Local Enterprise Offices were established in 2014.  In 2025 alone, LEO client companies created 7,261 new jobs, with a net jobs gain of 2,479 – a 7% rise on 2024.  Of the jobs created, 82% were outside of the Dublin region.    

 Minister Dillon welcomed the results, stating: “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.” 

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Throughout 2025, the Local Enterprise Offices across the country provided essential supports to thousands of small businesses, from financial assistance and mentoring, to digitalisation, sustainability and competitiveness programmes.  Recent initiatives include the Grow Digital Voucher, helping small businesses begin their digital transformation, and the Market Explorer Grant, supporting businesses seeking new markets.   

Commenting on the results, Jacqui Mc Nabb, Head of Enterprise, Kildare 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.” 

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.”