Stormont's finance minister could do more to 'wage war on civil service waste' after 'damning' report - DUP

​Diane Forsythe says that Sinn Fein are avoiding opportunities to save money through a closer relationship with the home civil service in Great Britain, but aren’t willing to do so for “political reasons”.

The Department of Finance said an Audit Office report this week “reaffirms the importance of continued transformation” in the civil service, with “work is already well under way”.

The report found that sickness absence in the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) has grown to an average of more than 13 days per employee, per year.

It also said the service has not delivered “the scale and pace of reform necessary to demonstrate value for money in its workforce and people management”.

Addressing the report’s findings, Ms Forsythe, the DUP’s finance spokesperson, told MLAs that finance minister John O’Dowd isn’t doing enough to address the issue.

“Where is the ambition from the Finance Minister to wage war on waste in government? In publishing his multi year budget plans he said he was in listening mode.

“I hope he is listening to the Comptroller & Auditor General and to this report which clearly identifies areas where he has failed to act”, she said. The South Down MLA questioned what the Sinn Fein minister is doing to tackle the cost of sick leave – which she said “has been steadily increasing with an average of 13.4 days lost per staff year in 2024-25, compared with 12.6 days in 2018-19”. “John O’Dowd needs to take action to deliver efficiency, the question is- is he really in listening mode?”, she said.

The DUP has been calling for a closer relationship between NICS and the UK Civil Service, citing efficiencies of scale and the sharing of expertise.

“NICS could benefit from a closer relationship with the Home Civil Service in Great Britain - yet for political reasons, this is a route Sinn Fein seem unwilling to take”, Ms Forsythe told the Assembly.

A Department of Finance spokesperson said: “The NIAO report reaffirms the importance of continued transformation across the Civil Service, and this work is already well under way. The NICS People Strategy 2025–2030, alongside a broad programme of renewal already completed and in progress, is focused on strengthening efficiency, effectiveness, and value for money across the organisation.

“Reducing sickness absence and supporting the health and wellbeing of staff remain key priorities for all departments as they manage their respective absence levels. Through the People Strategy, departments are being supported by revised and newly developed HR policies, enhanced line manager training, and a range of wellbeing initiatives — all designed to improve attendance and promote a healthy, productive workforce.”

Last May, the News Letter revealed that the cost of staffing the office of the Head of NICS had rocketed, with both the cost to the and the number of employees almost doubling under the tenure of Jayne Brady. A spokesperson said all appointments to the office are taken in accordance with established NICS procedures.