Opposition to cuts at social security bases

Opposition to cuts at social security bases

7 September 2016

LOCAL politicians are seeking an urgent meeting with Stormont minister Paul Givan to discuss the future of Social Security offices in Ballynahinch and Newcastle.

Staff at both offices discovered recently that their bases had been earmarked for potential closure in a management document that was accidentally placed on the staff intranet.

While a message to staff later clarified the document was based on draft proposals for the future structure of the local office network and stressed no decisions had been taken, they remain concerned.

In July, 15 employees of the Social Security office at Mount Crescent in Downpatrick were told that their office, which deals with the Social Fund, will move to Lisburn, Dungannon or Antrim. This issue is also to be raised with Mr Givan.

There was across-the-board political support at Monday night’s meeting of Newry, Mourne and Down Council for a motion tabled by Rowallane councillor Billy Walker to meet with the Stormont minister to highlight the major impact closing offices and reducing staff numbers will have on claimants.

Councillor Walker said local politicians “totally oppose” plans for the local offices which deal with hundreds of claimants on a monthly basis, many of whom he warned will be unable to travel outside the district to have their claims processed.

Appealing to Mr Givan to maintain the status quo, councillor Walker said staff who work at the local offices provide an “invaluable service” to people, many of whom are vulnerable and cannot afford to travel outside the district.

“The number of claimants in the areas served by offices in Ballynahinch, Newcastle and Downpatrick merits the offices not only remaining open, but a full complement of staff in each to help those in need,” he declared. “Enough is enough. There were staff reductions at the Ballynahinch office a number of years ago and now we have this. This office is already operating with a skeleton staff and must remain open, along with the office in Newcastle.”

Councillor Walker said he and Strangford MP, Jim Shannon, are due to meet with Mr Givan later this month and hopes local councillors will join them, adding: “The message which goes out from this council tonight is loud and clear — hands off our Social Security offices. They play a key role at the heart of the community and must be retained.”

Councillor Gareth Sharvin, who seconded the motion, voiced concern about the situation at the Downpatrick office and backed calls to meet with Mr Givan, while councillor Glynn Hanna suggested the recent leak about the future of the local offices may well have been deliberate to “test the water and see how people in the community reacted.”

He declared: “If this goes ahead it will affect people who find themselves in the most difficult of circumstances and who can’t afford to travel out of the area to meet with staff who process their claims. These are people who need face-to-face attention.

“We need to take this issue up and I fear that the Kilkeel office could be next. We need to send a strong letter to Minister Givan outlining our deep concerns and seek a meeting with him on this issue.”

Councillor Jill Macauley said she shares the concerns of her colleagues on the threatened closure of the offices in Newcastle and Ballynahinch and the potential impact this has on staff and those who depend on the services they provide.

Councillor Willie Clarke said the “claimant has to be the main focus of the government department,” explaining many who rely on the support local offices provide are vulnerable and in need of direct contact with staff.