Written question asked by Iris Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party) on Thursday, 13 July 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 17 July 2006. It was answered by Maria Eagle (Labour) on Wednesday, 19 July 2006 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Jobcentres

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many jobcentres are operating in (a) non-rural and (b) rural areas of Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The Department helps employers fill their vacancies and assists jobseekers to find employment through a network of 35 offices (25 Jobs and Benefits offices, JBOs where a joint work-focused service is provided with the Social Security Agency and 10 jobcentres) located in towns and cities throughout Northern Ireland.There are eight offices serving the city of Belfast, two in Londonderry, and one each in the cities of Armagh, Lisburn and Newry. The remaining 22 offices are located in each of the main rural towns of Northern Ireland.In order to deliver the Government's policy on welfare to work the Department is working in partnership with the Social Security Agency to provide a joined up work focused jobs and benefits service. 25 of the planned 35 offices have been rolled out as J and BO’s and it is expected that rollout of the remaining 10. Namely Andersonstown, Ballymena, Ballynahinch, Bangor, North Belfast, Cookstown, Downpatrick, Newcastle, Newtownards and Strabane will be complete by March 2008.

Secondary information