Hundreds will be hit by Social Security closures

Hundreds will be hit by Social Security closures

28 September 2016

THE closure of Ballynahinch Social Security office will hit 329 people who rely heavily on the services it provides and result in 15 staff being moved out of the area.

The confirmation comes as political pressure is ramped up to secure the future of the office and its sister office in Newcastle after plans were unveiled to close them and transfer staff and services elsewhere.

The future of the Ballynahinch office was discussed at a meeting at Stormont on Monday when Strangford MP Jim Shannon and Rowallane councillor Billy Walker met with Communities Minister Paul Givan.

Along with Strangford MLA Philip Smith, they have appealed to people who use the office to respond to public consultation on its future. Mournes councillor Willie Clarke has issued a similar appeal to people who use the Newcastle office.

Describing Monday’s meeting as “forthright and constructive,” Mr Shannon said it was made abundantly clear that if people want the Ballynahinch office to remain open they must respond to the public consultation.

“The proposal is to close the office as the works that are needed to bring it up to standard are excessive. It’s being argued that offices in Lisburn, Downpatrick and Knockbreda are only just over 10 miles away and that services can be provided there,” the MP continued.

Mr Shannon highlighted the financial impact bus fares will have on claimants who will have to travel outside Ballynahinch and said to believe people can have an acceptable level of service by travelling to other extremely busy Social Security offices “is just not logical and the consultation process must reflect this.”

Mr Smith said the closure of the Ballynahinch office will impact on the 329 people who use the service it provides and also highlighted the impact travel costs will have on those on Jobseekers Allowance who will have to access services elsewhere.

“The current consultation is in place for the public to have its say on this proposal before a definite decision is made and it is interesting that members of the DUP are openly opposed to the closure, even though it is their Minister’s decision.”

Mr Smith said the government is finally getting round to preparing for welfare reform including the delivery of Universal Credit. He explained the Ballynahinch office has been declared not ‘fit for purpose’ to deliver the necessary telephony and digital based services and claimed if it was to be relocated it could cost the taxpayer upwards of £2m.”

He added: “Whilst a loss of 15 jobs within the town is very disappointing the employees are not going to be made redundant but posted to other offices. In some cases, redeployment may be more convenient for them in terms of travel to work. I have put an urgent question to Minister Givan asking whether there will be some contingency plans for Jobseekers who will possibly have to travel to other offices to sign on.”

Councillor Walker described the consultation process as the only opportunity there is to retain the Ballynahinch office, adding: “I know how busy this office is and do not believe it can be successfully merged with other offices. The consultation process provides the chance to influence the final decision.”

Councillor Clarke warned the closure of the Newcastle office would have “dire consequences” for the most vulnerable, revealing staff fear have concerns about the implications of redeploying to work elsewhere.

He added: “The primary concern in all of this should be the claimant and as we head into further economic uncertainty and hardship, Minister Givan should ensure these closures are not realised.

Social Security offices are a vital service which will no doubt act as a further assistance to people as we face into darker economic uncertainty due to the Brexit result.”