Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has identified 70 posts within DOE alone, which will transfer to Coleraine.

Over 300 DVA jobs will be lost throughout Northern Ireland, but primarily in Coleraine, when motor tax services shift to Swansea on Monday 21 July.

Over 50 posts transferring from Belfast will go to DVA staff in Coleraine. A further 20 staff will relocate to Coleraine, which will help to lessen the impact on the local economy, after the Westminster government announced in March that it was centralising all our vehicle licensing services in Swansea.

Mark H Durkan is also working with the Minister for Transport in London to secure twelve additional new jobs, funded by Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in Swansea.

The Minister is also moving existing filled posts in DOE to Derry to further boost the local economy.

Mark H Durkan said: "The loss of hundreds of DVA jobs is a devastating blow to the hard working people affected and their families. I pledged to draw a fine comb over my Department to establish as many posts as I could to offset the job losses and lessen the economic impact. 70 jobs from an already dispersed department like the DOE is welcome. I am hopeful that I can secure another dozen jobs from Westminster to deal with vehicle excise enforcement.

"I continue to work closely with my Executive colleagues to try and ensure other government departments will now make up the shortfall.

"I am also mindful of the economy in Coleraine and further afield that has been affected by the job losses. To that end, I am arranging to relocate 24 posts from DOE Planning, including the chief planner, DOE Marine Division, and some posts from my own Private Office to Ebrington in Derry. Some of the posts in Derry will be suitable redeployment opportunities for surplus DVA staff."

(CD/MH)