§ Mr. ToddTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list each of the functions relating to the payroll for which her Department is responsible, indicating the management systems purchased, all sub-contractors involved in the work, co-operative arrangements with other Departments and the costs of the systems and processes in the last year for which figures are available. [10745]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyFor the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments, the available information is as follows:520W
The Department of Finance and Personnel provides a centralised non-industrial payroll service to NI Departments and NI civil servants employed by the NIO. For 1996–97, the total cost of the systems and processes, including the costs of the personnel section in each NI Department, was £2,303,202.The Department of Education for Northern Ireland operates a teachers' payroll system which pays salaries to teachers in most schools and colleges on behalf of their employing authorities. Costs for 1996–97 were £886,612.The Department of the Environment (NI) operates a payroll system for weekly paid industrial staff. Costs for 1996–97 were £1,774,713.The Department of Agriculture (NI) operates a payroll system for weekly paid industrial staff. Costs for 1996–97 were £439,721.The Northern Ireland Office has a contract with Chessington Computer Services Ltd,. for the provision of a payroll service for the home civil service staff. The terms of the contract are commercial in confidence.