South Down MLA Seán Rogers has welcomed news that fifty jobs will be decentralised and brought to Downpatrick this week from the DARD Fisheries Hut 5 office at Stormont,
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The DARD Fisheries office has moved to the Downshire Civic Centre adding to the build up in the public services hub.[/caption]
The SDLP member who led in an Assembly adjournment debate on bringing public sector jobs to South Down said: “Whilst the number of jobs is relatively small, I am hopeful that it signifies a recognition that further efforts on decentralisation will have to take place to address the huge economic imbalance that exists.
“It is no secret that the number of applicants who expressed an interest in wanting to benefit from this decentralisation on this occasion was in excess of 900”.
Mr Rogers added: “The relocation of the fisheries office jobs makes perfect sense as the majority of NI Fisheries are located along the County Down coastline from Portavogie, Ardglass and Kilkeel. It is a win-win situation… removing cars from the traffic congestion in Belfast whilst creating a more accessible and strategically located workplace for employees”.
Mr Rogers committed to continuing in his campaign on bringing more public sector jobs to the constituency saying “I firmly believe there is a real need to scale up on this development by decentralising jobs across all Government Departments to South Down. How can any Minister justify adding to the traffic congestion when all indicators in efficiencies point to decentralisation?”
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