'North social security changes won't cost jobs'

A major reorganisation of the Social Security Office network in the North will not mean job losses, it was insisted today.

The Social Security Agency (SSA) dismissed claims from public service union NIPSA there were plans to cut 200 jobs and shut offices as it put out for consultation a package of proposals which the agency said were aimed at improving services for customers at its local office network.

“The proposals will mean no office closures, no redundancies for staff and face-to-face services for customers will continue to be available as normal,” said the agency.

It said services would be enhanced with significant improvements in telephone appointment bookings – through a single centralised number – and an online provision.

The agency also said there were proposals to centralise a number of back office processing functions.

NIPSA, which strongly criticised the proposals, said that centralisation could mean up to 850 staff being forced to move office.

Bryan Davis, chief executive of the SSA, conceded some staff would have to travel further to work.

But he said: “We will put in place a range of measures which will mitigate impacts for staff who are affected.”

Mr Davis said at present processing work was spread too thinly across the local office network with 74 processing teams located at 35 sites.

“The service to customers is fragmented and cannot be sustained into the future.

“I am determined that we will protect this skilled work to ensure its ongoing viability. What I am proposing is to consolidate this work into 18 processing teams.

“This will provide a critical mass of people in each team leading to a more focussed and more professional service for customers.”

A big plus for the proposals, he said, was most business could now be done buy telephone – but that those who wanted a face-to-face appointment could have one and with reduced queues, he claimed.

NIPSA, claimed there was a plan for 200 job cuts, branded it a disgrace at a time when the number of people unemployed was rising significantly.

It called on Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie to suspend the proposals so there could be no disruption of services to claimants facing a very difficult time.

General secretary John Corey said: “At a time when the Executive Ministers need to be ensuring that all the current Social Security Office services remain fully available to people in need of assistance, the SSA is proposing major changes which will cut local services and mean less staff at the front-line to help people in need.

“We are calling on ministers to suspend this whole review process at this time.”

The consultation will run for a longer-than-normal 17 weeks, the SSA said.