The current staffing level in the IT area for the Department of Agriculture and Food is 146.5. Three officers have resigned from the IT area since January 1998. Each of these officers have been replaced.
A flat rate loyalty bonus, calculated on the basis of time spent on year 2000 remedial work, will be paid as a lump sum in April 2000. This will be calculated at the rate of £7,500 per annum subject to a maximum of 18 months payment. No final decision has been made on the number of staff who are eligible to receive this loyalty bonus, therefore, no average payment can be calculated at this stage.