Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Social Security Agency Questioned Over Crossmaglen Closure - Hearty

Published: 13 December, 2008

Sinn Féin councillor Terry Hearty has met with senior management of the social security agency in Newry on Friday morning to discuss the closure of the Crossmaglen office two days a week as now more than ever it is in needed more than ever as more people are facing difficulty dure to the credit crunch.

Cllr. Hearty said,

"The management stated that this was only a temporary measure due to the backlog of claims combined with the fact that there is a number of staff off sick. They also needed one member of staff from the Crossmaglen office to go to Newry to process claims.

"I explained that this was totally unacceptable, at time when there are such high levels of unemployment, they could easily find people with the skills and knowledge to process claims for unemployment benefits.

"Their response was that it takes up to 6 weeks to train someone up for this job."

"I was amazed that at this stage and the economic situation we find ourselves in a situation that this hadn't taken place. I also put to them that in this day and age Crossmaglen should have the proper IT equipment and the means to process claims in Crossmaglen rather then them going to Crossmaglen office to make an appointment to go to Newry when all of this could be done in Crossmaglen as it is in Kilkeel.

I also received assurances that when all the staff returned from sick leave the Crossmaglen office will re-open on a full time basis.