This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-29425544

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
PSNI agency post cuts spell end of Historical Enquiries Team PSNI agency post cuts spell end of Historical Enquiries Team
(35 minutes later)
The Police Service of Northern Ireland is closing more than 300 temporary agency posts at the end of the year.The Police Service of Northern Ireland is closing more than 300 temporary agency posts at the end of the year.
It said the cuts would "effectively mean the closure" of the Historical Enquiries Team (HET), which investigates Troubles-era killings.It said the cuts would "effectively mean the closure" of the Historical Enquiries Team (HET), which investigates Troubles-era killings.
The PSNI said the decision not to renew its contract with Grafton Recruitment was made because it had to cut £50m, 7% of this financial year's budget.The PSNI said the decision not to renew its contract with Grafton Recruitment was made because it had to cut £50m, 7% of this financial year's budget.
DCC Alistair Finlay said it was a difficult but necessary decision.DCC Alistair Finlay said it was a difficult but necessary decision.
"We simply cannot engage the services of people that we cannot afford," he said."We simply cannot engage the services of people that we cannot afford," he said.
'Financial challenges''Financial challenges'
On the future of the HET, he said: "With cuts of this magnitude, as a police service, our immediate obligations must be towards keeping people safe today.On the future of the HET, he said: "With cuts of this magnitude, as a police service, our immediate obligations must be towards keeping people safe today.
"The loss of these posts by the end of the year will effectively mean the closure of HET."The loss of these posts by the end of the year will effectively mean the closure of HET.
"In the last number of weeks, we have made it clear that the current financial challenges would mean there would be change in how PSNI responds to the demands of the past and the pace at which we can service the demand."In the last number of weeks, we have made it clear that the current financial challenges would mean there would be change in how PSNI responds to the demands of the past and the pace at which we can service the demand.
"The PSNI understands the importance of dealing with the past and that a huge deal of hurt and pain continues for the many people affected by our troubled history."The PSNI understands the importance of dealing with the past and that a huge deal of hurt and pain continues for the many people affected by our troubled history.
"If we are to achieve a safe, confident and peaceful society, dealing with the past is an issue that our society must address. However, achieving a solution lies well beyond the remit of policing.""If we are to achieve a safe, confident and peaceful society, dealing with the past is an issue that our society must address. However, achieving a solution lies well beyond the remit of policing."
The future of the HET had already been in doubt after a highly critical inspection report which led to its director, Dave Cox, having to stand down.The future of the HET had already been in doubt after a highly critical inspection report which led to its director, Dave Cox, having to stand down.
Mr Finlay said the PSNI would continue to meet its legislative responsibilities with regards to the past, including fresh investigations where "new and compelling evidence" emerges.Mr Finlay said the PSNI would continue to meet its legislative responsibilities with regards to the past, including fresh investigations where "new and compelling evidence" emerges.
He said he believed a much smaller legacy investigations branch would be formed.He said he believed a much smaller legacy investigations branch would be formed.
"In recent weeks we have met with the Policing Board to discuss this challenge and we will continue to work with them as we progress the issue," he said."In recent weeks we have met with the Policing Board to discuss this challenge and we will continue to work with them as we progress the issue," he said.
The HET was set up in 2005 as a special investigative unit attached to the PSNI to re-examine the deaths of 3,260 people in Northern Ireland between 1968 and 1998.The HET was set up in 2005 as a special investigative unit attached to the PSNI to re-examine the deaths of 3,260 people in Northern Ireland between 1968 and 1998.
DUP Policing Board member Jonathan Craig said the closure of the HET would be the "latest impact of the failure to implement welfare reform" in Northern Ireland.DUP Policing Board member Jonathan Craig said the closure of the HET would be the "latest impact of the failure to implement welfare reform" in Northern Ireland.
"The public can now see across government how the actions of the SDLP and Sinn Féin are impacting the public," he said."The public can now see across government how the actions of the SDLP and Sinn Féin are impacting the public," he said.
"The biggest impact will be on those families who are awaiting a report into the death of their loved one - this will compound the hurt for many families who are still awaiting their case being reviewed.""The biggest impact will be on those families who are awaiting a report into the death of their loved one - this will compound the hurt for many families who are still awaiting their case being reviewed."
Police Federation chairman Terry Spence said: "The savage economies that the PSNI has to make in a relatively short span of time meant drastic and draconian decisions had to be made.
"This is a disaster for police funding and will call into question the ability to deliver a proper police service."