§ Judy MallaberTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the outcome of the prior options study on the superannuating functions in Northern Ireland departments. [56147]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyAfter consideration of the options for the future delivery of the superannuation functions of Departments of Finance and Personnel, Health and Social Services and Education, I have concluded that, in this case, the Government's aim to achieve best value in public services would be achieved most cost effectively by the application of the management disciplines associated with agencies to the current arrangements, allied to adherence to rigorous targets and benchmarking against best practice in other public and private sector organisations. This solution will contribute to any additional arrangements which the New Northern Ireland Assembly might wish to introduce.