95 pension jobs to be filled by existing civil servants

The move will instead result in the relocation of posts that already exist within the Social Security Agency (SSA).

Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has stated that the redeployment of the civil service jobs needed to comply with statutory rules.

“The human resources plans for the re-location of the posts are being managed under a business-driven Recruitment, Training and Redeployment Strategy. A key requirement of the Strategy is the need to ensure that the services provided to customers are maintained throughout the relocation exercise and that Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) policies on staff redeployment and vacancy management are complied with,” he stated.

Mr McCausland outlined the requirements when asked by SDLP MLA Colum Eastwood how he would ensure that civil servants based in Belfast who wish to transfer to Londonderry were able to do so.

“Staff needed for the relocated function will be identified from a range of sources, including those staff currently in post and who wish to move with their post; Departmental staff who have been identified for redeployment; and NICS staff placed on priority pools for redeployment, Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) work adjustments and Welfare transfers,” stated the Minister.

“In addition, in order to secure the degree of experience necessary to allow the maintenance of service levels, and to reflect the fact that this exercise is essentially about the relocation of existing posts, staff across the Department with relevant experience have been invited to express an interest in the vacancies available. If vacancies remain after these stages, expressions of interest will be invited from staff across the wider NICS,” he commented.