The number of available jobs in the north's civil service has fallen by nearly 90 per cent inside a year.
The latest figures from the regional Civil Service Commissoners also show how each central government vacancy now attracts almost 50 jobseekers.
In 2103, more than 31,200 people applied for 972 vacancies with the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS), but within 12 months the number of available jobs had dropped significantly to just 126. Yet despite fewer job opportunities, each post attracted an average of 49 applicants – or a total 6,192 jobseekers – compared with 32 applicants per job in the previous year.
The figures suggest that despite the Stormont executive's efforts to 'rebalance' the north's economy by encouraging private sector growth, jobseekers continue to be attracted by public sector posts that are traditionally regarded as better paid and more secure.
In its breakdown of so-called 'equality grouping', the Civil Service Commissioners' report shows a noticeable decline in the number of Protestants applying for civil service jobs in the three year period covered. Whereas in 2012, the proportion of Protestant applicants was 50 per cent, last year this had dropped to 41 per cent. The number of Catholic applicants for civil service jobs has shown a corresponding increase, rising from 42 per cent in 2012 to 52 per cent last year.
Elsewhere, the annual recruitment audit highlights concerns around appointments to the Education Skills Authority Implementation Team that did not comply with NICS's merit principle. The commissioners note that a number of staff on secondment to the Department of Education exceeded the period set out in NICS recruitment code.
"We were concerned that the requirements of the recruitment code had not been adhered to and that the department had not been proactive in bringing the matter to our attention," the report states.
"The creation of the new Education Authority in April 2015 effectively addressed this matter in that the seconded staff moved out of the NICS at that time."
A voluntary exit scheme agreed as part of the Stormont House Agreement is designed to reduce the number of public sector workers, including those in the civil service. However, the logjam surrounding welfare reform means the scheme is currently on hold.
