Claims centre to create 190 jobs in Derry

A planned new centre in Derry for the processing of pension claims could create 190 jobs in the city, it was announced today.

The Social Security Agency in Northern Ireland has identified a former shirt factory at Carlisle House on the Hawkin Road as the site for a new office dealing with state retirement pension and pension credit claims.

However the centre is still subject to final commercial negotiations and approval.

Revealing plans for the office during a visit to the city, the North's Social Development Minister Nigel Dodds said it would be ‘‘another giant step towards modernising’’ state pensions services.

Plans for the centre have been drawn up in the wake of the new state pension credit which the British government announced in November 2001 to replace the minimum income guarantee.

It is hoped the new credit will alleviate pensioner poverty.

Mr Dodds said the state pension credit would begin in October 2003.

The Democratic Unionist minister continued: ‘‘It will increase the number of pensioners in Northern Ireland entitled to benefit from just fewer than 76,000 to more than 90,000.

‘‘The new service will support pensioners, tackle poverty and reward work and savings in retirement.

‘‘It will ensure that pensioners, who are growing in number, have easy access to all benefits and other services to which they are entitled.’’

Mr Dodds said the location of a pensions processing office in Derry could bring ‘‘significant economic benefits’’ to the city.

‘‘The identification of a former shirt factory as the preferred location for the new pension centre is important,’’ he said.

‘‘Regeneration is not just about smart new buildings; it is about restoring and reusing existing properties," he said.