Last October it was announced that the new jobs would be generated over the next three years by global customer service giant Teleperformance, generating an estimated £12 million in salaries. As well as providing work for young people and those who wish to return to the work force, it was hoped these jobs may also be able to attract some of those who have moved away to find work back home to Fermanagh.

The announcement was made by the then Finance Minister, Mrs Foster and former Employment and Learning Minister, Stephen Farry. At the time, Mrs Foster said: “I am delighted to have played a part in the journey that has brought Teleperformance to Fermanagh. Securing this further investment for Fermanagh marks another tremendous milestone which I am proud to be a part of.”

Now, one year on, local MLA Richie McPhillips says he has been “very disturbed” by the delay and “inaction” on this job’s announcement. He is due to meet with the North’s director of Teleperformance and the chief executive of the company in the next fortnight for an update. 

“We are now 12 months after the announcement and not a single extra job has been created. In fact, the staffing levels for Teleperformance are now less than they were before the announcement. Numerous staff have raised concerns over the lack of investment and over their own job security, which cannot be acceptable.

“This is an issue that has concerned me greatly and that is why I have sought a meeting on the matter. The people of Fermanagh need these jobs,” Mr McPhillips added. 

Fellow MLA Rosemary Barton also expressed her disappointment that the biggest jobs announcement outside Belfast for twelve years has still failed to materalise. 

“The creation of these jobs would have generated £12 million in salaries and provided opportunities for skills development and training in a county that still continues to suffer from large numbers of job loses which has impacted financially on it.

“While the take over of Liberty Insurance by Teleperformance did secure 200 jobs, no new employment from the 800 promised ever materialised. Empty promises are not good enough, Fermanagh and South Tyrone must not be forgotten about by this Executive.”

Sinn Fein’s Sean Lynch added: “I would hope that the company remain committed to bringing jobs here and that when they do come, they will pay the living wage set by the Living Wage Foundation.”

A spokesman for Invest NI assured the Herald this week that they remain in regular contact with the company and receive updates on its progress.  

“Before Teleperformance can begin creating these new jobs major works are required, including the construction of a new communications room which was completed in June this year. In addition to this Teleperformance is also installing network infrastructure to connect the Enniskillen site into its national and international computer network to meet their business needs. The work for the first new line to the Enniskillen Exchange was completed in August, work on a second line is in progress. This level of investment in infrastructure by the company to support its base in Enniskillen is a clear commitment to the project, jobs and the area,” the spokesman added.