More public sector jobs to be stripped from Down

More public sector jobs to be stripped from Down

6 June 2012 - by David Telford

SOCIAL Security Agency offices across the district are to be downgraded as part of a radical shake-up of services.

Staff working in offices in Downpatrick, Newcastle and Ballynahinch currently responsible for processing income support and jobseekers allowance payments are to transfer out of the area as the service is being centralised.

The Social Security Agency is creating a number of new payment processing centres across the Province with local staff expected to be relocated to either Lurgan or Newry this November.

Centralising services will dramatically reduce the number of staff working locally who in future will only be capable of providing advice and a limited number of payments to claimants.

The Social Security Agency’s plan will result in the stripping of all current benefit processing provision from its offices across East Down, with claims that up to 40 staff could be moved out of the district.

The move is another blow to public service provision in the area. A number of civil servants have already been moved out of several government departments in Downpatrick, with health finance staff based at the Downshire Hospital battling moves to transfer them to Ballymena.

Social Security staff at the Mount Crescent office in Downpatrick fear up to 30 of them will be moved out of the town, leaving around six behind, with half that number remaining at offices Ballynahinch and Newcastle.

They also disagree that the centralisation plan will improve customer service, arguing it will create more problems for them and customers, “significantly diluting” services available locally.

The move to downgrade the status of the district’s three benefits centres has also angered trade unions and local politicians who have vowed to fight the decision and warned of the implications for people claiming benefit.

One concerned member of staff who contacted the Recorder said it was suggested two years ago that Downpatrick would be one of the processing centres when the new universal credit system is introduced.

“There has obviously been a major change in thinking but we don’t know why. While some front line staff will remain at local offices, their role will be to deal with customers face-to-face. However, some queries staff may have will need to be referred to the new processing centres.

“We don’t know who will be staying or going, but the decision to press ahead with the restructuring has created a lot of uncertainty. Many of the affected staff are women and have young families. Having to travel further to work has its implications, not least financial. While no figures have been confirmed, there are fears that around 40 staff could transfer out of the district.”

The staff member revealed £80,000 was spent recently on refurbishing the Downpatrick office which indicated to employees that it was going to be named as one of the new dedicated centres.

A spokeswoman for the Social Security Agency said the number of staff in Down District affected by the changes has yet to be finalised and confirmed that when the changes are implemented, customers who prefer to have their enquiry dealt with face-to-face will continue to do so.

“The Agency is committed to maintaining a strong network of front offices and each will be properly resourced to ensure they continue to provide the current excellent service to customers,” she continued.