To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland with reference to the answer of 28 October 2008, Official Report, column 796W, on departmental temporary employment, how many staff were recruited through each company in each year; and for how long on average staff recruited through these companies worked for the Department in each year. (242309)

Information on the number of temporary agency staff recruited through each company and the average length of time of employment for each person is not centrally held by the department.

These details could be ascertained only at disproportionate cost.