THE need to not only secure existing public sector jobs in Omagh but promote the town for further decentralisation in the Review of Public Administration (RPA), was unanimously agreed by Omagh District Council at the monthly meeting.

This issue came up last month with fears that 15 jobs would be lost with closure of the Rural Development Division office in the town. These fears were allayed when DARD Minister Michelle Gildernew said she has no planns to close this office, but she confirmed a need to reduce staff in some areas.

Sinn Féin Cllr Barry McElduff emphasised the need to be vigilant in securing public sector jobs.

"We need to argue for more public sector jobs in Omagh," said Cllr McElduff. "We have a strong public sector tradition here and we need to refine our arguments for the addition of future jobs to be decentralised to Omagh now with major changes up ahead with RPA. We need to make a leading contribution to that debate to protect our public sector jobs and maximise the possibilities that lie ahead."

These sentiments were fully supported by SDLP Cllr Jo Deehan who also raised the environmental and safety benefits of decentralisation.

"It is the logical answer to decentralise public service jobs s o people can live and work in the same locality," said Cllr Deehan. "It doesn't make sense from an environmental point of view with people commuting daily to Belfast. There is also the benefits of increased road safety.

"This should be a point of argument in our fight for the location of public sector jobs in Omagh."

Sinn Féin Cllr Declan McAleer declared the need to maintain Omagh's status as a centre of administration by being pro-active to prevent jobs slipping away from workplaces such as the car tax office which is earmarked to close next year.

Cllr McElduff proposed the council seek an early meeting with the Minister for Finance and Personnel Peter Robinson concerning Omagh's suitability for public sector jobs. This was unanimously agreed.