To ask the Minister for Communities to outline, as part of the Welfare Reform, (i) whether it is projected that staffing in the Working Age group will decrease by 2022; and (ii) the extent in reduction of staffing.

At present, it is too early to determine if staffing levels in the Working Age group will decrease by 2022. However, it is projected that over the next 5 years, there will be an increase in staffing in the first three years, because of the need to operate dual social security benefit systems, before a decline over the following two years before moving into a steady state position. Work is ongoing to determine what the overall workforce requirements will be longer term.