OFM/DFM should be trimming the fat off their Department, not seeking another £2m - Elliott
News that an additional £6 million over three years is being considered in the priorities and budget 2007 to pay for additional costs in OFM/DFM including special advisers salaries, has alarmed UUP MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone and OFM/DFM Committee Member Tom Elliott .
In a statement Mr Elliott said,
“I understand that in the Priorities and Budget for 2007 there is a spending proposal for an additional £2 Million a year for three years for what are called ‘restoration related costs’. These additional cost pressures apparently relate to the cost of re-establishing the private offices for First and Deputy First Ministers, the Civic Forum, and the cost of Special Advisers.
I am alarmed at this. The department is already is already suffering from bureaucracy creep and flabby enough as it is. Across the board various departments are being asked by the Finance Minister to tighten their belts while OFM/DFM seek another £6 Million to help pay for, among other things, more special advisers.
I feel that OFM/DFM should be leading by example and trimming some of the fat off their department, not asking for more gravy.”