A report from the Department of Finance and Personnel has found that Roman Catholics are still under represented in the upper echelons of the Civil Service.

A review of Article 55 of the Fair Employment and Treatment Order shows that while both religions are fairly represented, at senior levels Catholics are still outnumbered.

The Review announced today by Finance Minister Dr Sean Farren covers the period 1 January 1999 to 31 December 2001.

At January 2001 the NICS workforce comprised 30,236 staff. Of those 59% were Protestant and 41% were Catholic. At this overall level the assessment is that there is fair participation by both sections of the community.

However Dr Farren acknowledged that Catholics remain under represented within the Senior Civil Service (SCS), occupying 24.4% of posts.

The Fair Employment bill requires the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) to review, at least every three years, the composition and employment practices of the organisation and determine the extent to which there is fair participation by both the Protestant and Catholic sections of the community.

Dr Farren said: “This Review aims to maintain and promote equality of opportunity for all in respect of appointment and promotion procedures for the Senior Civil Service.

“The NICS will not be complacent in its examination of employment procedures and practices and it will ensure that they contribute fully to the objective of equality of opportunity and fair participation in employment for both sections of the community."

(AMcE)