BT '999' Centre Opens For Business

Both the Irish BT boss and the Tánaiste are today attending the official opening of the new emergency call answering service for Ballyshannon.

It was launched today by the Chief Executive Officer of BT Ireland, Chris Clark and Tánaiste Mary Coughlan.

This Co Donegal call centre was initially announced at the opening of the Portnason IT centre in 2005.

The tendering process and legislative issues both resulted in a somewhat of a hold-up, and some town councillors over the last four years feared that the call centre was becoming less and less a reality.

It's expected 50 high-skilled jobs are be created with the service, although the specifics will be confirmed at the Lakeside Centre event.

BT Ireland's Chris Clark said the telecommunications firm is keen to push ahead with the project as soon as possible.

The Emergency Call Centre at the IT Centre, Portnasson is owned by the Erne Enterprise Development Company.

This development was first flagged in 2007 when the then Minister, Noel Dempsey TD announced the establishment of a national emergency call out centre to be located in Ballyshannon at the official opening of the IT Centre.

However, since that announcement, eircom relinquished its contract and a new provider was sought.

The western town has been hit hard with the loss of 75 jobs from Likelys last week and over 1,300 local people remain on the dole queue.

James Likely Ltd of Ballyshannon went into liquidation after the company blamed the collapse of the construction industry and the implementation of a new form of procurement contract by the government as the main reasons for the closure.

(BMcC/JM)