New local enterprise office established

AFTER 21 years providing supports to new enterprises and small local businesses throughout the Fingal region, Fingal County Enterprise Board ceased operations last week.

On Tuesday, April 15, the new structure, Local Enterprise Offices (or LEOs), will replace the 35 County Enterprise Boards around the country.

The LEOs have an expanded role in the provision of business supports and are based within the local authorities.

The previous chief executive of Fingal County Enterprise Board, Oisín Geoghegan, took up his new role as Head of Enterprise at the Local Enterprise Office in County Hall, Swords.

Speaking about the dissolution of the County Enterprise Board that he had served for the last 14 years, he said:

“I have been privileged to have led an extremely effective and committed small team at Fingal County Enterprise Board for the last number of years.

“I am delighted that the new Fingal LEO will not only retain the experience of my colleagues from the Enterprise Board but will be enhanced with the expertise of new staff from the local authority.

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The new Fingal LEO will be located on the first floor of County Hall in Swords. Funding is provided by Enterprise Ireland under a Service Level Agreement with the local authority.

The establishment of the LEOs marks the most significant change to the provision of local enterprise support services in the state for over 20 years. It is hoped that the new structure will ensure that there is

“joined up thinking

? in services to business, with each LEO providing a first-stop shop for all start-ups and businesses seeking supports from State agencies.

Mr Geoghegan said the core objective of the LEO is to create a positive entrepreneurial environment where small businesses can succeed and employment will be created.

“A very exciting schedule of programmes and services will be rolled out in the coming weeks and months,

? he added.

“We have been examining the changing needs of businesses and all of the LEO service offerings will reflect those needs. Watch this space.

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The new website for the Local Enterprise Office Fingal is www.localenterprise.ie/fingal.