26 new Local Enterprise Office-backed jobs for Clare

The Minister for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Pat Breen T.D. has today (September 24th) announced the creation of 26 new jobs for Clare across three small businesses supported by Local Enterprise Office Clare.

The new jobs are being created by AiP Thermoform Packaging Ltd in Ennis, Core Optimisation in Shannon and Vanderlust Campervans in Ennistymon. Recruitment for the new jobs is underway.

Minister Breen is meeting staff from all three companies today on a visit to Ennis, along with the Head of Enterprise from Local Enterprise Office Clare, representatives from Clare County Council, Enterprise Ireland and the local business community.  

Making the announcement in Ennis, Minister Breen said: “I warmly welcome these 26 Local Enterprise Office supported jobs by three Clare companies. In a challenging business environment, LEO clients have contributed substantially to economic development throughout the country and I want to pay tribute to the company owners and their teams on their performance to date.  I would also like commend Local Enterprise Office Clare on the tremendous work they do and the supports they provide to nurture these businesses throughout the county. The Government, through the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, is investing heavily in regional development and I am delighted to see that this investment is helping small businesses and start-ups in Clare to grow, create more jobs and enter new markets.”

Cllr. Alan O’Callaghan, Deputy Mayor of Clare, commented, “Clare is well known for its innovative approach to business and entrepreneurship and each of the companies announcing jobs are reinforcing this longstanding reputation. With the support of the Minister’s Department, through Clare County Council and Local Enterprise Office Clare, micro enterprises can access a wide range of supports to assist them start and grow a business which ultimately creates employment opportunities for the local community.”

Padraic McElwee, Head of Enterprise with Local Enterprise Office Clare, said: “Helping small businesses start and grow is at the very heart of what Local Enterprise Offices do and this jobs announcement is very positive for County Clare. Three locally-based small businesses are bringing 26 valuable jobs to communities across the county and the Local Enterprise Office wants to acknowledge their hard-earned success and congratulate them on their job creation achievements.”

“Through financial assistance, mentoring and training supports, Local Enterprise Offices help hundreds of start-ups and small companies every year to grow their businesses throughout the region. Last year in the Mid-West alone, over 3,000 people were trained around starting and growing a business, 530 mentoring assignments were organised and 4,800 people were employed in 820 LEO-backed companies,” added Mr. McElwee.

Congratulating the Clare companies on their performance, Mark Christal, Manager of Enterprise Ireland’s Regions and Entrepreneurship Division, said: “Achieving strong regional growth is a key focus for Enterprise Ireland under the Regional Action Plans for Jobs and these 26 Local Enterprise Office-supported jobs for Clare demonstrate the benefits of this approach. The supports that are in place to boost job creation, including these new jobs being announced today, underpin the successful collaboration between the Local Enterprise Offices, Local Authorities and Enterprise Ireland that help more Irish companies realise their global ambition.”

Pat Dowling, Chief Executive of Clare County Council, welcomed today’s announcement, saying: “These new jobs are a fantastic boost for Clare and the wider region, and a great example of how small and developing businesses are contributing to jobs growth and balanced economic recovery in Clare. Today’s announcement is an opportunity to recognise and highlight the variety of industries and job opportunities that exist in Clare and around the country. A key focus for Clare County Council is on making great places to live and work and creating attractive environments for businesses to establish and flourish.”

The 31 Local Enterprise Offices are located in each county and provide a ‘first stop shop’ of supports and expert advice for entrepreneurs, start-ups, micro enterprises and small businesses providing training, mentoring and financial supports. Funding for the Local Enterprise Offices, working in partnership with the local authorities and Enterprise Ireland, is provided by the Government of Ireland through the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation.

Page last reviewed: 24/09/18

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