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10/06/2003
£1.3m jobs and benefits office opens in Portadown
A £1.3 million Jobs and Benefit Office has been opened in Portadown today.
The new centre, which was officially opened by Social Development Minister Des Browne, brings together the services of the Social Security Agency and the Department for Employment and Learning to help local unemployed people back into work.
The Minister said: “It’s encouraging to see that Jobs and Benefits is already showing real results in getting people into work and also transforming the relationships between customers and staff. I believe that if you treat people with dignity and respect and have a positive approach they will respond positively.
“This service is at the very forefront of our reform programme providing a real step change in the social welfare system, a system which encourages people into work, provides security for those who can’t work and puts this organisation at the leading edge of service delivery.”
Portadown is the latest centre to benefit from investment in a modernised and dynamic welfare system.
So far 11 of the new integrated offices have opened and over the next few years a total of 35 will be introduced across Northern Ireland.
(MB)
The new centre, which was officially opened by Social Development Minister Des Browne, brings together the services of the Social Security Agency and the Department for Employment and Learning to help local unemployed people back into work.
The Minister said: “It’s encouraging to see that Jobs and Benefits is already showing real results in getting people into work and also transforming the relationships between customers and staff. I believe that if you treat people with dignity and respect and have a positive approach they will respond positively.
“This service is at the very forefront of our reform programme providing a real step change in the social welfare system, a system which encourages people into work, provides security for those who can’t work and puts this organisation at the leading edge of service delivery.”
Portadown is the latest centre to benefit from investment in a modernised and dynamic welfare system.
So far 11 of the new integrated offices have opened and over the next few years a total of 35 will be introduced across Northern Ireland.
(MB)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
