Cost of temporary staff at Department of Education hits £2.8m in five years

THE number of temporary and agency staff at the Department of Education has more than doubled in the last three years, and with it the cost of the financial outlay.

Figures revealed by the Department of Education show £2.8m has been spent over the last five years to plug gaps in the organisation.

In 2019/20, the department employed 17 people on temporary contracts or through an agency at a cost of £314,941 to the taxpayer.

While the extra staffing level remained at 17 in the next two years, the cost rose to £547,955 in 2020/21 and then to £567,357 a year later.

There was a big jump in the number of those employed either through an agency or on a temporary basis in 2022/23, with 25 roles filled at a cost of £702,149.

While the overall cost fell to £697,047 last year (2023/24), the numbers employed rose to 37.

SDLP MLA Daniel Mccrossan said the figures showed an alarming upward trend and the department needs to develop a new culture of working practice.

“It is clear from these figures that there is an increasing reliance on temporary and agency staff within the Department of Education, with a significant financial figure attached,” he said.

“While I understand that there will be instances when these types of staff will be needed, their use should not become the norm. When the department needs to recruit staff, they should make every effort to fill posts permanently.

“This would not only reduce the spending on temporary staff, but provide these staff with job security and the experience needed to perform the job to the best of their ability.

“I would call on the new Education Minister Paul Givan to instil a culture change within the department and move away from this over-reliance on temporary and agency staff.

“We need to ensure that we go about our recruitment in the way that provides the most value for money and the best environment for all of the staff involved.”

A Department of Education spokesperson said: “Agency workers are engaged to undertake temporary pieces of work, or to provide urgent cover while awaiting recruitment of a permanent member of staff.

“The number of agency workers fluctuates throughout the year. The number reported is the amount working at the end of the financial year (2023/24 is the February 2024 figure).”