10/01/2007

Around 260 jobs at risk in Coleraine

Around 260 jobs could be at risk at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing offices (DVLNI) in Coleraine, it has today emerged.

The announcement came after Department of Environment Minister, David Cairns, revealed that the main functions of the car tax office in Coleraine are to move to a central station in Swansea in Wales next year. However, he added that the changes would mean better services for motorists.

It is understood that if this happens, over half the staff at the Coleraine office will face redundancy. The government has said that it will try to deploy most of the staff within other departments of the civil service, with around 90 staff members being moved to a different type of work which the DVLNI will begin handling at the same time.

East Londonderry Assembly member David McClarty has criticised the lack of compassion demonstrated by Environment Minister David Cairns over job losses.

Mr McClarty said: “The Minister’s words about improvements for the public are no more than another smokescreen from the government to cover up its latest move to centralise services.

“He should remember that this is again depriving local people of employment and throwing hardship on families in the Coleraine area.

“To suggest that the restructuring will be unsettling for vehicle licensing staff is an understatement of gigantic proportion which will only further anger those who are losing their jobs after years of dedication and professionalism in the service.

Mr McClarty added: “The truth is that jobs are being lost in an area which has suffered greatly from closures in recent times. There are major question marks hanging over the future of other departments within County Hall and the Inland Revenue and Excise operation at Adelaide Avenue in the town.

“I believe we need a fresh impetus in the drive to promote Coleraine as far as investment is concerned. We cannot afford to take this lying down.

“The outlook for our young people leaving education and seeking employment locally is getting bleaker all the time and needs to be urgently addressed.”

(EF/KMcA)

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