FIVE railway workers have been made redundant with immediate effect by the Department of Community, Culture and Leisure.

The staff - including one joiner, two blacksmiths and two painters - were told the news yesterday.

Department Minister David Cretney MHK said: "The department regrets having to make anyone redundant.

"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 said it had hoped that staff numbers would be reduced over three years through "natural wastage". However this timing was brought forward when it was asked to achieve savings in its budget of over £800,000 from April this year.

Mr Cretney continued: "Initially 32 railway workers were advised that a reduction of 22 posts were 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."

Unions have been informed.

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