A key Northern Ireland government department is “under-prepared” for Brexit due to delays in recruitment, an Ulster Unionist MLA has claimed.
Mike Nesbitt revealed that the Department of Finance chief has handed back additional money it asked for to prepare for the UK’s departure from the European Union due to delays in filling jobs.
In correspondence with Mr Nesbitt, Sue Gray, Permanent Secretary at the department, said it had applied for £1.65 million to help prepare for Brexit.
The requested money was to help cover additional staffing resources identified to carry out EU exit preparation work in 2018/19.
The department received £1.34 million, but now expects to spend £1 million.