NORTHERN IRELAND
Northern Ireland’s controversial in-house awards ceremony for the Public Service has been held again, with a project once branded a “slush fund for paramilitaries” taking a major prize.
The rollout of the new Universal Credit benefit scheme, which has faced calls for its suspension amid concerns that it is pushing some people towards homelessness, also received awards.
More than £30,000 (A$54,600) has been spent on the annual in-house awards ceremony since its launch four years ago to recognise the achievements of Northern Ireland Public Service staff.
Among the costs was £1,500 (A$2,700) spent on British Broadcasting Corporation weather presenter, Barra Best to host last year’s event.
Public spending campaigners called the awards an unnecessary extravagance, but officials said they were an “important opportunity for the Northern Ireland Public Service to recognise the commitment of its workforce”.
The officials said more than 1,300 nominations had been received since the awards began and staff at all grades could submit nominations.
Chief Executive of lobby group Taxpayers’ Alliance, John O’Connell said families who worked hard to pay their tax would be disappointed to discover that Northern Ireland’s Civil Service had splashed their money on unnecessary extravagances.
“Instead of spending thousands of pounds on award ceremonies to congratulate themselves, politicians and Public Servants should prioritise the essential services that they are paid to provide,” Mr O’Connell said.
The Department of Finance said the awards recognised, celebrated and promoted the service, dedication and achievements of staff at all grades right across the Northern Ireland Public Service.
“The awards are a really important opportunity for the Northern Ireland Civil Service to recognise the commitment of its workforce of over 21,000 staff and play a key role in staff engagement, which is essential for the delivery of excellent public services to the people of Northern Ireland,” the Department of Finance said.
Belfast, 27 May 2019
