Minister isextremelyconcernedby pay blip

Pressed on the specific issue of care workers at the Assembly, Mr Poots said all care workers employed in the Northern, Southern, Western and South

Eastern Health Trusts received their basic pay on time for the month of March 2014, although there were problems in the Belfast Trust.

However, Mr Poots acknowledged there were issues with overtime and travel expenses across Northern Ireland including the Western Trust.

He said: “I am extremely concerned that some staff did not receive their pay correctly. I have therefore instructed all trusts to continue to take all necessary steps to redress any loss experienced by staff and to ensure that lessons are learned for the future.

“In addition to this, my Department has approved further expert support for HSC payroll functions over the coming months.”

He said this will help with the familiarisation of new systems.