MLAs back fresh DUP call for civil service reform after damning Audit Office report
The DUP has called on the finance minister to bring forward a “time-bound plan” to reform the civil service – saying the system needs to be better managed.
Brian Kingston MLA said a recent report from the NI Audit Office had highlighted failings within the department of finance to get a grip on challenges facing the service.
He said agency workers have doubled over the past five years – at a cost of £500m – and that situation cannot continue. The North Belfast MLA highlighted “persistent, high levels of sickness absence” – which he said cost £48.8m in 2024/25.
“There are currently no targets or action plans in place to address this. Department of Finance Officials have said it is up to each department to manage this yet. Yet, when we ask each department, they say it is managed by the Department of Finance”, Mr Kingston said.
As MLAs debated the DUP motion, the finance minister said the Audit Office report “reinforces the need for reform” – but said if the responsibility was left to one minister, opportunities may not be realised.
UUP leader Jon Burrows said there is need for real change in NICS – but he is not critical of the “hard working men and women” in the organisation.
He said there is an issue about culture, senior leadership and political leadership. “I do think it is unhelpful when we have Stormont not in existence for a period of time – for any type of transformation.
He said there was a “lack of focus” on nationalist benches – accusing them of focusing too much on international issues not relevant to Northern Ireland.
Earlier, SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone highlighted the audit office report, asking the minister if he could explain why three quarters of its reform recommendations from 2020 haven't been implemented yet, and how many will be before the end of this mandate.
The minister said there are “huge challenges in transforming an organisation of the scale of its civil service” – but that he has strategies in place “to put momentum into the program of change that everybody accepts [is] needed within the civil service”.
The DUP motion calling for reduced reliance on agency staffing, and improved efficiency was passed.