‘Super Office’ slammed
Thursday, 18 September 2008
Councillor Boyd Douglas.
THE agricultural office in Limavady may permanently close its doors after the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) proposed to slash the number of local offices, it has emerged.
The Northern Constitution was contacted by a reliable source, who did not wish to be named, and he detailed how DARD is proposing to cut the number of local agricultural offices from 33 to just 10 'super offices' which is a significant slash, and includes offices in Magherafelt, Maghera, Limavady and Derry, "To cut the number of offices from 33 to 10 is just absurd and means that the Limavady sub-office will most certainly 'come under the hammer', so to speak," he said.
The concerned citizen also explained that there had been a public consultation in early July regarding the proposal but this finished on September 5 with all people concerned having till then to voice their opinions.
NIPSA official, Noel Griffin said: "You don't close offices down. If gone through with, the office closures in Magherafelt, Maghera and Limavady will see a total of 70 staff, nine from Limavady and 31 from the Magherafelt office alone, having to be redeployed which is just unacceptable."
According to Mr Griffin, the new site for the super office, which will encompass the Magherafelt, Maghera and Limavady premises, will be Dungiven, but he believes this is not convenient for everyone.
“The farming community is, on the whole, an ageing community. As well as this, a recent survey found that 30 percent of the farming community had some sort of a disability and 30 percent also had a person in their 60s or 70s living with them. How then can these same people make it all those extra miles to Dungiven? Rural offices need to stay open to accommodate these people."
Mr Griffin believes this super office in Dungiven will have negative consequences for the three towns and the local economies will even be affected as staff, if the offices were to close, would no longer be shopping in, or even buying lunch in these towns.
The NIPSA official also stressed that for DARD to use the argument that the three offices weren't busy enough to justify their existence was 'utter nonsense,' saying "I know for a fact that 1500 single farm payment forms were put through the Magherafelt office in the last year with an additional 500 going through Limavady which is 2000 forms, how then can DARD try and say that the offices weren't being used?"
The final decision on which offices will close and which will remain open will be made by Agricultural Minister Michelle Gildernew, who, as of yet has not made any announcement.
Commenting on this Mr Griffin said:" I would urge local councillors, MLAs, farmers and community groups to make strong representations to the Minister to keep Magherafelt and Limavady offices open.
“The Department's recent strategy in relation to leading the way as the 'Rural Champion' is also highly relevant. To do that the Department need to support and enhance rural communities by improving the service that already exists rather than closing it down.
“Our members fully support the need for vibrant, modern offices accessible to all. However we strongly object to the proposed closure of 23 regional offices thereby removing a public service from rural areas where they are most needed."
“NIPSA's recent meeting with the Minister was constructive and she listened carefully to our concerns in respect of the farming community and our members. We also welcomed her assurance that the final nine locations were not a 'done deal'," added Mr Griffin.
Limavady UUC Councillor, Boyd Douglas, slammed the proposal.
Mr Douglas said: "I would not be happy with this proposal at all and there doesn't seem to be much common sense behind it. The Limavady area is a very important area in terms of agriculture and we need the office here to be retained.
“I am completely opposed to this proposal."
A spokesperson for the DARD said: "No decisions have been made, nor will there be until the feedback on the public consultation has been fully considered."
