To ask the Minister for Communities whether an economic assessment was carried out for the towns that are scheduled to have Jobs and Benefits Office closures.

My Department is aware of wider concerns regarding the impact of the proposed closures of the Cookstown, Newcastle and Ballynahinch Social Security Offices and JobCentres on job opportunities and the local economy. In order to assess the economic impact of the proposals a Regulatory Impact Screening is currently being completed on these proposals to determine whether a Regulatory Impact Assessment is required.

My Department will also use any evidence provided in the response to the public consultation exercise into the proposed office closures to inform the Regulatory Impact Screening.