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Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English TD, visited the Dublin City Local Enterprise Office (LEO) today as part of a series of similar countrywide visits by the Minister, who is keen to engage with the LEO teams and their client companies.
The Minister was greeted at the Civic Offices, Wood Quay by Chief Executive Officer of Dublin City Council, Owen Keegan and LEO Head of Enterprise and Economic Development, Greg Swift. He discussed current developments with the Dublin City Council team before officially launching the Local Enterprise Development Plan for Dublin City 2021-2024.
Minister English said:
"The work of the Local Enterprise Office is hugely important in our larger urban areas where building networks and contacts can often be daunting. The LEOs closeness to local business helps to provide that important network and support. It provides businesses with all types of assistance whether it is help with upskilling, mentoring, training or in numerous other practical ways. LEOs provided invaluable help over the last 19 months and now that we are in recovery they are there to provide the necessary support as businesses stabilise and grow."
The Minister then met with some LEO client companies, starting with Cloud Picker, a micro coffee roastery with speciality coffee from all over the world. They supply to cafés and restaurants throughout Ireland and currently employ 13 full-time staff.
Next Minister English was briefed by Akara Robotics, a company who have developed an end-to-end robotic UV disinfectant system. The system can be rapidly deployed to decontaminate frontline medical settings such as CT scan rooms and operating rooms.
Mother Reusables, who create stylish reusable bottles and coffee cups from 100% recycled materials, told the Minister of their commitment to sustainability. As well as their total use of recycled materials they plant a tree for each bottle they sell.
Minister English then called to the Guinness Enterprise Centre (GEC), a world-class entrepreneurial centre for ambitious and innovative companies. He was greeted by manager Eamonn Sayers who explained how GEC provide a modern, spacious and flexible working environment supported by the best-in-class business support services.
The Minister then met with some LEO clients who are based in the GEC. Find a Venue Zoom Party offers virtual team building events. Companies can choose from a range of packages featuring quiz shows, wine tasting, comedy shows and virtual magicians.
Jenny Huston of Edge Only spoke to Minister English about the company’s unique jewellery designs that are made from 100% recycled gold and sterling silver and are individually hallmarked in Dublin Castle.
Bee8, an environmentally and socially sustainable social enterprise told the Minister about their work in providing employment opportunities for local people. Some of the activities that Bee8 are involved in include managing beehives, delivering beekeeping classes and working with local schools and other organisations on projects that enhance the local natural environment. The honey they harvest is sold locally and all revenue reinvested to further develop Bee8.
On the conclusion of his engagements, Minister English said:
"During my visits in recent weeks I have been hugely impressed by the diversity I have witnessed and the level of innovation. Today I have spoken to businesses involved in coffee roasting, robotics, recycling, virtual events, jewellery design and beekeeping. It is really pleasing to witness at first hand that entrepreneurial spirit and the can-do attitude that comes with it. It is also really encouraging to see that sustainability features so highly for these businesses and that in many cases sustainability is their business."