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Jobs go at Troubles murder team | Jobs go at Troubles murder team |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The special police team set up to investigate murders during the troubles is to make 75 staff redundant because of a funding shortage. | The special police team set up to investigate murders during the troubles is to make 75 staff redundant because of a funding shortage. |
The Historical Enquiries Team was set-up in 2005 with a budget of £34m over six years. | The Historical Enquiries Team was set-up in 2005 with a budget of £34m over six years. |
Staff were told of the planned job cuts on Thursday. | Staff were told of the planned job cuts on Thursday. |
They received emails informing them that the budget for next year was not sufficient for the team to operate at current staffing numbers. | They received emails informing them that the budget for next year was not sufficient for the team to operate at current staffing numbers. |
It is understood that the budget allocation for the next financial year is about £2.5m less than it cost to operate the team during the past 12 months. | It is understood that the budget allocation for the next financial year is about £2.5m less than it cost to operate the team during the past 12 months. |
The news comes just two weeks after job losses seemed to have been avoided when the Northern Ireland Office announced that it would provide an additional £1.5m for the rest of this financial year. | The news comes just two weeks after job losses seemed to have been avoided when the Northern Ireland Office announced that it would provide an additional £1.5m for the rest of this financial year. |
Staff were told that the 75 jobs would go early in 2009, and have been asked to register expressions of interest in taking voluntary redundancy. | Staff were told that the 75 jobs would go early in 2009, and have been asked to register expressions of interest in taking voluntary redundancy. |
It is understood that the team will lobby the government for additional funding. | It is understood that the team will lobby the government for additional funding. |
A spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Office said the government was "fully committed" to the work of the HET. | |
"A total budget of £38.3m which includes a substantial budget of £5.9m for 2009/2010 clearly demonstrates this," she said. | |
"It is a matter for the Historical Enquiries Team how they structure and staff their work." |