The decision by Environment Minister Mark H Durkan to decentralise a number of Department of Environment (DOE) jobs to Derry has been welcomed by East Derry Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Ó hOisín.
Mr Durkan and 25 of his departmental staff are to move from Belfast to Ebrington in Derry.
The move follows the announcement by Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill that DARD (Department of Agriculture and Rural Development) headquarters are to move to Ballykelly.
Welcoming both announcements, Mr Ó hOisín said it was important that the many civil servants in the North West who undertake the long journey to Belfast every day were given the opportunity to work closer to home.
He added: “This will help address the work to life balance and allow civil servants more time for their families, recreation and leisure which will result in a greater spend in this area.”
Mr Ó hOisín. said over 600 jobs being reallocated to Ballykelly and the latest announcement by Durkan of 25 jobs being reallocated to the Ebrington site the “imbalance” of governmental jobs being situated solely in Belfast was “beginning to be addressed.”
He concluded: “As the public sector is the biggest employer in the North I would call on all Ministers to look at decentralisation to areas right across the North in order to help spread the wealth created by these jobs.”
Tags: