Redundancies are ‘devastating news’ - Foster

Mrs Foster said Friday’s annoucement of job losses following the company entering administration was also a blow to the many sub-contractors connected with the company.

“The announcement today from the administrator regarding Patton is devastating news for the affected workers, their families and the local community as a whole, particularly when so many people area already facing difficulties in the current economic downturn,” Mrs Foster said.

She added: “The news will also come as a blow to the many sub-contractors who did business with the company.

“I have spoken with the company and with the Administrator this week and I want to assure staff that, together with Invest NI, the Department of Employment and Learning, and colleagues in the entire Northern Ireland Executive, we will do all that is possible to limit the impact of the redundancies.

“Clearly, this is a difficult time for the building industry, which is why the Economy and Jobs initiative announced earlier this week by the Executive includes provision of more than £40million to deliver a range of projects in the current financial year which will support the construction sector.

“I and Executive colleagues will continue to look at every possible option to assist the Northern Ireland economy as a whole.”