The Department of Community, Culture and Leisure has confirmed that five railway workers will be made redundant from today (5 May 2011). The staff involved include one joiner, two blacksmiths and two painters, who were informed of the decision earlier today. Their unions have been informed. Hon David Cretney MHK, Minister for Community, Culture and Leisure, said: ‘The Department regrets having to make anyone redundant. We had hoped that staff would be reduced over three years through natural wastage but the timetable was brought forward when the DCCL was required to achieve savings in its budget of over ?800,000 from April this year. ‘Initially, 32 railway workers were advised that a reduction of 22 posts was being considered so I am pleased that the final number of compulsory redundancies is much lower. Other posts identified as technically redundant have been reduced through a combination of voluntary redundancy and redeployment.’ Minister Cretney added: ‘Attempts were made to save four of these posts by making changes to working agreements and it is disappointing that these proposed changes were not accepted by the workforce representatives. However, by reducing the costs of operating the railways we hope to provide greater security for the remaining employees.’ The Department expressed its gratitude to the union representatives involved for assisting in the process and has arranged for affected employees to be assisted in their search for new employment. ENDS