Business

150 jobs created as part of service's expansion

UP TO 150 jobs are being created at the Northern Ireland Child Maintenance Service in Belfast.

The positions are part of a £3 million expansion at the body and will be within the division which provides services to the east of Britain.

Social development minister Nelson McCausland described the announcement as "fantastic news for local people".

The news completed a great seven days for the jobs market in the north which ha already seen announcements amounting to more than 1,000 posts.

"Securing new jobs in the current climate is a challenge and it is testament to the hard work and dedication of staff in the Northern Ireland Child Maintenance Service," he said.

"These are jobs which could have gone to one of the other service providers in Great Britain, but Belfast has come out on top by offering a quality service and value for money.

"I'm delighted that my department is playing its part in boosting the local economy and securing much needed local jobs."

The service provides impartial advice to help separated and separating parents in Northern Ireland make informed choices about child maintenance and help set up, arrange or collect child maintenance.

Already this week more than 800 jobs have been announced in Antrim, Derry and Newry.