Beggs tackles minister over local benefits office jobs

Ulster Unionist MLA for East Antrim, Mr Roy Beggs, has pressed the DSD Minster and expressed concern over the possible relocation of civil service social security office jobs from Larne, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey, as a further debate rages over proposals to strip Larne of its DARD office.

Speaking during Assembly questions, Mr Beggs asked: "The Minister is aware from the consultation of the concern about the relocation of back office jobs from offices in Larne, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey. She mentioned clustering - will the minister outline in more detail how that will affect existing employees in Larne, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey who, potentially, face moving?

"Will those jobs move gradually, or ultimately migrate, to Ballymena"

Highlighting East Antrim's dearth of civil service employment, he said there is "great concern that jobs are migrating to Belfast or Ballymena".

The minister affirmed that "no decisions will be taken … until we determine the outcome of the pilot exercise in the north area".

Speaking later from his constituency office, Roy Beggs MLA said "The Social Security Minister, Margaret Ritchie has announced her intention to implement her proposals subject to successful pilot in the Northern region. This is effectively a stay of execution over her proposal to move back office jobs away from Larne, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey, subject only to a successful pilot in the Northern region. Ominously a new social security processing center for Ballymena has also been announced."

I have been highlighting for a long period of time that East Antrim has not got its far share of civil servant jobs and have articulated these concerns in numerous consultation responses and on the floor of the Northern Ireland Assembly. The Social Security proposals will create even more disparity."

In answer to a recent Assembly question the Finance minister revealed to Mr Beggs that in the past 5 years over £2m has been spend on up-grading the Crown Buildings in Larne and £1.7m on the Carrickfergus refurbishment. In addition if vacated, recurrent building costs of £358,000 and £213,011 respectively will be incurred until a new tenant is be found, which would be difficult in the present economic climate. Roy Beggs said, "It is not in the public interest to pay for job relocation out of East Antrim and for DSD and DARD to continue to pay hundreds of thousands of pounds per year for vacant offices. I will continue to press ministers on these matters and I hope that they will appreciate the arguement that I am making."

ENDS