Clients of Carlow LEO created 226 jobs last year
Small businesses supported by Local Enterprise Office Carlow created 226 jobs last year
SMALL businesses supported by Local Enterprise Office Carlow created 226 jobs last year, according to new figures announced by the minister of state for employment, small business and retail Alan Dillon. The job creation figures represent a 16% increase from 2024 and mark the 12th consecutive year of jobs growth for the Local Enterprise Office.
LEO Carlow now financially supports 183 small businesses across the county, which collectively employ 1,120 people. The nett employment gain for 2025 was 43 jobs, taking into account companies that amalgamated, ceased trading or transferred to Enterprise Ireland.
Minister Alan Dillon said the 31 Local Enterprise Offices across the country “continue to be the backbone of local economic development”, supporting 40,285 jobs in 2025 – the highest level since their establishment.
Paula O’Brien, director of services, planning, economic development, regeneration and corporate services at Carlow Co Council, said the figures “clearly demonstrate the sustained impact of strategic investment in local enterprise across County Carlow.
“The creation of 226 new jobs in 2025 and a nett employment gain of 43 jobs reflect not only the resilience of our small business sector, but also the effectiveness of the supports delivered through Local Enterprise Office Carlow,” she added.
Nationally, LEO client companies created 7,261 new jobs in 2025, delivering a 7% increase on 2024. Crucially, 82% of these new jobs were created outside Dublin.
Cathaoirleach of Carlow Co Council cllr Ken Murnane encouraged all small businesses, entrepreneurs and those with a business idea to connect with the Local Enterprise Office to avail of the financial, mentoring and training supports on offer.
