Almost all (91%) of public sector employers in Northern Ireland believe that reducing costs and making efficiencies will be a ’very’ pressing issue in the next two years.

However, 63% of respondents believe that their organisation has plans in place to deal with cost-saving targets and potential redeployment/job cuts in their organisation.

John Moore, director at Hays in Northern Ireland, said: “Public sector employers are under no illusions about the challenges facing them over the next two years and organisations are already looking to make efficiencies and protect front-line services as a priority.”