57875 (2024). Francisco Hernandez to the Minister for Social Development and Employment

57875 (2024). Francisco Hernandez to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: How many contractors, if any, did the Minister's departments have on 9 September 2024; and how many of them, if any, were former employees of the department that lost their roles or resigned from their roles since 27 November 2023?

Hon Louise Upston: I am advised by the Independent Children's Monitor had one contractor on 9 September 2024. The contractor was not a former employee of the department that lost their roles or resigned from their roles since 27 November 2023. I am also advised by the Ministry of Social Development (the Ministry) that there were 123 contractors engaged as at 9 September 2024. I am further advised by the Ministry that they do not centrally collate information on the number of contractors or consultants who were previously employed permanently within the Ministry. Due to limitations of the information held in the Ministry’s HR System on contractors and consultants, the Ministry is unable to identify the number of consultants, contractors, or people providing professional services who were previously employed by the Ministry. Providing this information would require the Ministry to undertake a substantial data collation exercise that would divert a significant number of staff from their core duties. In accordance with Speaker's Ruling 210/6, I consider that the time, and hence the expense, of answering the Member's question is not in the public interest.