NIO staff received £600K bonuses

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Northern Ireland Office staff received performance payments of almost £600,000 in 2008-09, it has been revealed.

In a Commons written reply, NIO Minister Paul Goggins told Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman Vince Cable the largest bonus award was £11,000.

Performance payments were made to 563 members of staff, or 28% of those qualifying for them.

He said £260,865 went on special performance payments in the period, with the largest payment being £900.

Mr Goggins said 996 staff received the special payments, 49% of those qualifying for them.

In the previous year, more than £609,000 was spent on performance payments and £227,000 on special performance payments.

Headed by Secretary of State Shaun Woodward, the NIO deals with matters not devolved to the Stormont Executive such as constitutional and security issues, including policing and criminal justice.

It runs a number of agencies including the Northern Ireland Prison Service, the Compensation Agency for Northern Ireland, Forensic Science Northern Ireland and the Youth Justice Agency.

It also funds two legal offices - the Crown Solicitors Office and the Public Prosecution Service.