To ask the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the approximate number of staff that will move to her Department’s new headquarters at Ballykelly; and whether economic benefits, through job creation in the local area, is a realistic outcome of this move.

On 26 June, the First Minister and deputy First Minister conveyed agreement to the relocation of my departmental headquarters to Ballykelly. The project is now proceeding and involves a new build, to accommodate 400 workstations to be completed by the end of 2017 and an extension to accommodate a further 200 workstations to be completed by end of 2020.

In order to ensure that there is a transfer of corporate knowledge to the new location my officials are preparing a detailed staff transition plan which will align with the 400 and 200 workstation arrangements.

The relocation of my department to Ballykelly will realistically help stimulate the local economy through increased local spending, provision of high quality and high value public sector jobs and potentially jobs associated with the construction and the ongoing servicing of the new accommodation. It will help to share wealth across the economy and contribute to better-balanced economic growth and help to address disparities in the distribution of public sector jobs in the north of Ireland.