Ulster Unionist MLA for West Tyrone, Ross Hussey, has commented following the publication of a Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO) Report on the use of agency staff by the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

The Policing Board representative said:

‘I welcome the report by the NIAO on this issue as it brings some much needed clarity. I noted with interest the conclusions of the report which stated that it was important not to underestimate the scale of the challenges faced by the PSNI given the unprecedented loss of skilled and experienced staff over the last ten years. In those circumstances it is clear that temporary staff are needed and especially those with policing skills given the current security situation.’

‘Whilst the procurement, appointment, management and control of these temporary staff has improved over the last ten years, the report is clear that it has not always met the high standards of governance and accountability expected of public sector bodies in Northern Ireland. This obviously requires further review and the Policing Board will be dealing with this in the coming weeks. However, other parts of the report are very positive and must be highlighted. For example, the PSNI has made total savings of £22 million through the use of temporary rather than permanent staff over the period 2005 to 2012 and the arrangements for appointing temporary staff have improved significantly since January 2011.’

‘Despite Sinn Fein and others trying to portray this as a matter of grave concern, the facts are that the PSNI has been reducing its reliance on temporary workers and by March 2012 there were only around 400 remaining in place. Less than 300 of these were former police officers who retired at the time of Patten and they are in roles which require knowledge of policing or criminal justice. I have no difficulty in recognising the benefits which these people bring to the organisation.’

ENDS