To ask the Minister of Finance to detail (i) any provisions available to Northern Ireland Civil Service employees, who volunteer with HM Coastguard or other voluntary emergency services, to enable them to respond to emergency call-outs during working hours; and (ii) any assessment that has been made of the consistency with which these provisions are applied across Departments.

The Civil Service Special Leave policy makes provision for staff who volunteer with emergency and voluntary rescue services.

Staff who wish to join such an organisation must first obtain the consent of NICS HR.

Although volunteering with emergency and voluntary rescue services should not normally require absence from official civil service duties, staff called to an emergency during working hours will be permitted to leave work to attend.

The Special Leave policy provides a common framework for all Departments, with decisions taken by line managers, on a case-by-case basis, having regard to business needs.