New future for Ballymena Jobs and Benefits office

A new office for those seeking jobs and those claiming benefits opened to the public in Ballymena today.

The new facility brings together the services previously provided by the Social Security Agency and the Department for Employment and Learning’s JobCentre.

This new office is on the new Parkway and will replace the Bridge Street premises for the JobCentre office, and the Mount Street premises for Social Security benefits.

The managers of the new office, Rosemary Quinn (Department of Employment and Learning) and Linda Finlay (Social Security Agency) said: "This is great news for the people of Ballymena and the surrounding areas. This new office will enable customers to seek benefit advice, sign on for their Jobseekers Allowance and look for work all under the same roof. The SSA staff within the new Jobs & Benefits office will give advice and guidance on benefits, and the DEL staff will help people find suitable employment. The Jobs & Benefits office has numerous information points with touch screens, enabling jobseekers to have access to job vacancies throughout Northern Ireland and further afield.

"This new purpose built accommodation facilitates joint working between the Social Security Agency and the Department of Employment and Learning which will provide a more customer focused service for the people of Ballymena and surrounding areas."

Notes to editors:

Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9497 or the DEL Communications Branch on 028 9025 7872. Out of office hours please contact Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.