NIO Staff Not Paid 'Danger Money', Says Union

A union chief has rejected claims so-called 'danger money' is being paid to hundreds of civil servants in the province, insisting the payments are related to Northern Ireland Office (NIO) staffs' work in law and order.

John Corey, General Secretary of the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA), was responding to calls from a Unionist peer to end the allowances, which have been paid to certain officials since 1992.

Almost half a million pounds is given to NIO workers every year because of the nature of their jobs.

Staff at the department are currently charged with overseeing the devolution of policing and justice to the local assembly.

Over 1,500 workers currently receive the money, which is around £287 every year.

It has been over 14 years since the IRA declared its ceasefire, however a threat still remains from dissident republican, with factions issuing renewed warnings to the police and government officials.

Lord Laird has branded the continued payments as an "absolute disgrace".

He said: "I want to know on what basis do they think civil servants working in the Northern Ireland Office are under a bigger threat in this country?"

"It has taken me a couple of years to force the information out of them about the funding. This is a public body, a part of government funded by the taxpayer yet it takes years to get questions answered," added Lord Laird.

A total of £442,554 has been distributed among 1,542 administrative staff, who receive the payment because of the NIO's work on law and order.

Another 270 staff receive a daily danger allowance of £1.31 subject to being on certain sites.

While a review of the current arrangements is expected to commence soon, NIPSA's Mr Corey denied the cash was a form of 'danger money'.

"It is part of the agreed terms and conditions of employment that civil service staff qualify for a small environmental allowance to take account of the particular circumstances of their workplace and the physical conditions in which they carry out their duties."

The specials allowance is not described as danger money by the NIO.

A spokesman said: "The allowance was introduced in recognition of the Department's work in the law and order field and that is being reviewed."

(PR)(BMcC)