270 civil service jobs announced for Derry

Over 250 new jobs are to be created for Derry, it has been announced.

Speaking in the Assembly today, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said announced that 270 would be created at Lisahally Service Centre.

The jobs boost will expand the services of the Department for Communities on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

This announcement will expand the workforce delivering roles in areas such as Universal Credit, Child Maintenance, Disability and Retirement Services.

Minister Lyons said: "Mr Speaker, I am committed to greater regional balance and rather than just talk about it, I have
ensured my department delivers.

"I have ensured that we spread as much of these jobs throughout Northern Ireland and I am pleased to announce that over 40% will be outside of Belfast in Londonderry, Ballykelly and Ballymena.

"In Belfast there will be 595 additional jobs, in Londonderry an additional 270, in Ballymena 116 and in Ballykelly, 27. 
DUP Foyle MLA Gary Middleton welcomed the announcement.

Mr Middleton said: "I welcome today's announcement from the Minister for Communities. This is a hugely significant announcement for Londonderry and the North West region.

"It is not just the creation of 270 new jobs at Lisahally, but an investment in our area through additional salaries and a boost to our local economy. It will see the total number of jobs at Lisahally rise to 800 in total.

"The jobs announced today are part of DfC plans to increase their resources for the delivery of Department for Work and Pension services including Child Maintenance, Disability and Retirement Services.

"I welcome the commitment by Minister Gordon Lyons MLA and the Department for Communities to the Foyle Constituency."

SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan said he the announcement would make 'a significant difference' to Derry's economy.

He said: “This jobs announcement is welcome, particularly for the areas outside Belfast that so often struggle to get investment of this nature. I know that in Derry these jobs will make a significant difference to our local economy, providing good jobs, and giving people more money to spend in local businesses.

“That the North has been chosen for these jobs by the Department for Work and Pensions is testament to the quality of the workforce here and the skills we have to offer. I hope that we can build on this by attracting further investment and new companies to create the jobs needed right across the North.

“I’d like to see a further breakdown of these jobs and have raised issues around previous recruitment processes by the department. We will continue to press the department and Minister for more information around timelines for the delivery so that we can get these positions filled as soon as possible and people and the local economy can begin to benefit from these jobs.”