41927 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister for Social Development and Employment

41927 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: In the Minister’s departments, ministries and agencies, if any, what are the total costs of staff redundancies, if any, between 27 November 2023 and 10 July 2024?

Hon Louise Upston: I am advised by the Ministry of Social Development (the Ministry) that there was one voluntary redundancy process initiated by the Ministry in April 2024. Of those that applied, 218 people were accepted for voluntary redundancy and have either left or are in the process of finishing with the Ministry. The total cost of voluntary redundancy compensation is $14,853,921 gross. The Ministry is currently finalising their change process which has a proposed net reduction of 86 positions. Until the Ministry completes the change processes, the total costs for any redundancies will not be known. As part of this change process as at 10 July 2024, an additional 32 employees have chosen to take voluntary severance which has been approved by the Ministry. The total cost for this will not be known until the completion of the change process. This is also my response to Written Parliamentary Question 43220 (2024).