UP TO 5,500 public sector jobs should be relocated from Belfast to towns across Northern Ireland, a study has recommended.

The Independent Report on Location of Public Sector Jobshas called for the transfers to take place over the next five years.

Publishing his report, Prof Sir George Bain said his seven-member review team had agreed some 27 recommendations aimed at achieving a fairer spread of public sector employment. "Above all else, we believe there should be better economic balance in Northern Ireland and this is at the heart of our recommendation that there should be some relocation of public sector jobs," Sir George said.

"However, we have also concluded that any movement of jobs should be taken forward in a modest and prudent manner and that it should be introduced on a phased basis."

His call for the transfer of 5,500 jobs represents about 3 per cent of the total public sector workforce in the North.

Some 13 agencies could be earmarked for decentralisation, the report suggested. To begin with, the review team is calling for transfers to begin with a series of carefully considered pilot schemes.

"We have identified a small number of locations across Northern Ireland to which public sector jobs should be relocated," he said, "and we have recommended that some pilot projects, totalling about 3,000-4,000 posts, should be selected from the list of organisations set out in the report".

The reports suggests Derry, Newry, Co Down; Craigavon, Co Armagh, Omagh, Co Tyrone, Coleraine, Co Derry, and Ballymena, Co Antrim, as possible sites for relocated jobs.

The report was commissioned from Sir George, a former vice-chancellor of Queen's University, by the Department of Finance and Personnel. Welcoming its findings, Finance Minister Nigel Dodds said: "This was an independent review and there are a number of detailed suggestions contained in the report that will need careful examination and consideration before decisions on a way forward can be reached."

Mr Dodds said he would refer the Bain recommendations to his ministerial colleagues for "early Executive discussion".

However, the Executive has not met since June due to the impasse over key policy issues involving Sinn Féin and the DUP. A meeting scheduled for tomorrow also seems likely to be cancelled as talks continue.

Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew said it made sense for her department to be located nearer the farming community.

John Corey, general secretary of public sector union NIPSA said: "It is imperative that the interests and rights of existing civil service and public service staff are fully protected."

SDLP spokesman Declan O'Loan suggested other towns including Downpatrick, Co Down, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, and Cookstown, Co Tyrone, also be considered.

Alliance party Assembly member Stephen Farry said the report seemed "one-dimensional", and called for more consideration to be given to the fair spread of public sector jobs within Belfast.