24472 (2025). Francisco Hernandez to the Minister for Social Development and Employment

24472 (2025). Francisco Hernandez to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What restructures, if any, are planned for the 2025/26 financial year in the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, listed by when this may occur, how much is budgeted for restructuring costs and estimated savings to be accrued as a result of restructuring?

Hon Louise Upston: I am advised by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) that MSD regularly reviews its FTE levels in line with baseline funding. Managing FTE levels is done in a number of ways, such as attrition, managing vacancies and the use of fixed term resources. Any future reviews or managing within baselines that result in potential restructuring or redundancies, costs would be met by the relevant area. The Social Workers Registration Board released a consultation document on proposed organisation changes to staff on 22 May 2025. The Social Workers Registration Act 2003 requires a review every five-years of the organisation’s structure, along with the operational review of the Act. The consultation is expected to close on 6 June 2025. The Social Workers Registration Board anticipates a net increase of 1-2 roles, depending on the outcome of consultation and any final decisions. There is no budget for change costs and no estimated savings.