An independent review, conducted by Professor George Bain has recommended that public sector employment be spread more evenly across Northern Ireland.

Six locations have been earmarked including Ballymena, Coleraine, Craigavon, Londonderry, Newry and Omagh.

Government bodies that could potentially be moved include the Department of Agriculture, and the newly appointed Victims Commission and Northern Ireland Environment Agency.

Any relocation would have to be formally approved by the Stormont Executive.

Professor Bain said: "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.

"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," he added.

Agriculture minister Michelle Gildernew gave a positive reaction to the recommendations.

"We need to be as close to the people we serve as possible and to the heart of the community and I want to work as closely as we can with the rural community," she said.

The NIPSA trade union has called on full consultation in the weeks ahead.

The total cost of decentralisation could be as much as £40 million.