To ask the Minister of Finance and Personnel to confirm that all temporary agency staff hired for NI Civil Servant assignments (i) are fully security cleared before taking up their post; and (ii) can expect their personal details to be subject to the same standards of data protection and confidentiality as permanent NI Civil Service staff.

I can confirm that all temporary agency staff hired for NI Civil Service assignments are subject to at least baseline personal security clearance prior to taking up the post. In some cases, subject to the nature of the post, further security checks will be required. No individual may work on a NICS Contract without the appropriate level of security clearance; to do so may constitute a breach of the contract.

I can also confirm that all temporary agency staff can expect their personal details to be subject to the same standards of data protection and confidentiality as NI Civil Service staff.