§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
What plans they have to increase the number of government jobs in Strabane District Council area. [HL4466]
§ Baroness AmosAt present the Department for Employment and Learning has 23 staff in the Strabane District Council area based in the Strabane Job Centre. It is currently estimated that this number will increase by 5.5 when the office becomes a Jobs and Benefits Office in October 2005. The North-West Development Office of the Department of Social Development is the key driving force behind the successful regeneration and development of Londonderry, Limavady Borough Council and Strabane District Council area. In the past it assisted with the identification of suitable sites for the new Pension Centre, Londonderry, officially opened in June 2003. In the future, it will continue to provide similar assistance in the Strabane District Council area.