Environment Minister Mark H. Durkan arrives for the opening of the DOE Regional HQ at Ebrington, with his wife, Anne, and nine-day-old baby daughter, Lily. Photo Lorcan Doherty Photography
Twenty-five jobs have been created in Derry with the opening of the new regional headquarters for Environment Minister, local MLA Mark H Durkan.
The Minister, along with DOE planning chief Fiona McCandless, also from the city, have now relocated from Belfast to Ebrington in the Waterside.
Both will be based at the new regional HQ along with along with their staff.
DOE marine staff will also relocate to the former military barracks.
Environment Minister Mark H. Durkan at his desk with wife, Anne, and 9-day-old baby daughter, Lily. Photo Lorcan Doherty Photography
Mr Durkan said “On taking up office I pledged to move jobs to the North West in line with the Executive’s commitment to disperse civil service jobs as much as possible.
“The very fact that the Chief Planner operates out of Derry sends a clear message that top jobs can be based here.
“I intend to make it my business to see what other jobs might be based here and would urge my fellow Executive Ministers to follow suit.
“I am very pleased that we will be the first tenants of the newly re-furbished Ebrington site which has tremendous potential to become an important economic, cultural and social hub for the city of Derry.
“My move here is a vote of confidence in the site’s potential. I hope this will act as a spur to investors and others so that the site can be fully developed for the benefit of the people of Derry.
“The transformation of this building is a reflection of the path Derry itself has taken – from siege and war to politics and peace. ”
Responsibility for the management and re-development of Ebrington rests with Ilex urban regeneration company. Chief Executive Mel Higgins said: “This is great news. As tenants at Ebrington, DOE is bringing 25 jobs to the city and paving the way for future announcements about several other buildings on site. Plans are well advanced for a number of other buildings to be operational by the end of March 2015”.
Environment Minister Mark H. Durkan with DOE Planning Chief, Fiona McCandless, and Mel Higgins, Chief Executive, ILEX. Photo Lorcan Doherty Photography
