13th May 2022
Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English TD, visited the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) in Laois yesterday where he met with council officials, members of the LEO team as well as some of their client companies.
The Minister was greeted at County Hall by John Mulholland, Chief Executive of Laois County Council, Councillor Conor Bergin, Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council, Councillor JJ Fennelly, Leas Cathaoirleach of Portlaoise Municipal District and Acting Head of Enterprise, Honor Deevy.
Minister English also met with the LEO team, members of the Evaluation Committee and Local Authority Members and was briefed about developments in the county as well as future plans.
Minister English said:
“Our Local Enterprise Offices are hugely important to businesses and their role has been invaluable over the last couple of years. Their knowledge of local businesses and close contact with them is vital in providing that all important support and assistance. Whether it is advice, training or mentoring or other practical assistance, the LEOs can help local businesses to develop and to realise their true potential. There is plenty of potential in Laois and through working closely with the LEOs and availing of other Government supports and initiatives, businesses across a range of sectors here can flourish, creating more employment in the county.”
The Minister then called to Portlaoise Enterprise Centre where he visited LEO client company TSI Flowmeters Ltd. With over twenty years’ experience, TSI are the market leaders in providing innovative water management solutions to a wide range of customers including water utilities and fire services.
Minister English finished his Laois visit at another LEO client, Ballykilcavan Brewing Company. David Walsh-Kemmis set up the company in 2016 and started brewing beer in 2018. The beers are distributed all over Ireland and the company are now developing a visitor centre at the brewery.
A number of food producers from the Laois Taste Group also visited Ballykilcavan including The Merry Mill, Temptation Patisserie and Mueller and O’Connell Bakery.
On the conclusion of his visit the Minister said:
“On my visits to Local Enterprise Offices around the country it is really noteworthy how local communities are recognising the strengths and business opportunities that exist in their own area and are seeking to make the most of them. It is evident here in Laois too with ventures such as the Laois Taste Group. Our new Regional Enterprise Plans were specifically developed to enable collaboration and to utilise local insight and resources so as to realise enterprise growth and job creation. The Plans are complementing the work of our Agencies, our Local Enterprise Offices and the local authorities and will help to deliver on the Government commitment to achieve more balanced regional enterprise.”
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