NI Civil Service numbers rose over two-year period

The number of people employed by the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) grew between 2012 and 2014.

Employee numbers were up by 1%, while in the same period the UK Home Civil Service decreased by about 5%.

The figures, compiled by the NI Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA), show that the NICS had 26,409 full-time equivalent staff in April 2014.

A voluntary redundancy scheme began in February with the aim of cutting staff by about 13% within two years.

The Northern Ireland Executive says this should reduce the pay bill by approximately £90m from the start of the 2016/17 financial year.

The NISRA report shows the number of civil servants was cut in some departments, including health and justice.

The departments that had the biggest percentage rise in employment from 2012 to 2014 was the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister.

It added 27 staff, equating to an 8% rise.

The area that had the largest number of NICS jobs relative to the economically active population was Belfast, with almost 114 jobs per 1,000.

The next highest areas were Londonderry, Omagh and Coleraine.

The areas with the fewest NICS jobs relative to the resident economically active population were Moyle, Banbridge and Strabane.