Minister of State for Employment, Small Business and Retail, Alan Dillon TD, has announced the annual results of the Local Enterprise Offices for 2025, showing that companies supported by Local Enterprise Office Meath created 197 jobs during the year.
The figures represent a significant increase on job creation levels recorded in 2023 and 2024, highlighting the ongoing commitment of Local Enterprise Office Meath, supported by Meath County Council, to small and medium enterprises across the county.
In 2025, the net number of jobs created by Local Enterprise Office Meath clients was 54. This figure takes into account companies that amalgamated, ceased trading or transferred on to Enterprise Ireland.
The latest results also show that Local Enterprise Office Meath provided financial support to 246 small businesses in its countywide portfolio. These companies collectively contributed to the creation of
- 197 new jobs created in 2025
- Second consecutive year of year on year jobs growth
- Net employment gain of 54 in 2025
- 246 total small businesses employing 1,443 people supported by LEO Meath
Chief Executive Kieran Kehoe, Meath 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 197 jobs is only a small part of the role that LEO are playing in fostering entrepreneurship and growing enterprise in towns, villages and communities all over Meath.
“These jobs and client 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 support 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.”
The total national figures for the Local Enterprise Offices across the country were announced with the LEOs now financially supporting 40,285 jobs across 7,148 companies.
This is the most jobs the Local Enterprise Offices have supported nationally since their inception in 2014.
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 support in every region. From digitalisation to sustainability and export development, our LEOs are helping small businesses compete and scale. The government remains firmly committed to strengthening these supports so that entrepreneurs nationwide can continue to grow and thrive.”
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 support to become 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.
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 the first stop shop for entrepreneurs and small businesses and provide a range of support 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.
