Costs for off island recruitment costs

AuthorityDepartment of Health and Social Care
Date received2021-10-04
OutcomeSome information sent but not all held
Outcome date2021-11-01
Case ID2020821

Summary

The requester asked for off-island recruitment costs for the Department of Health and Social Care over five years, but the department only held data for the period after its redesign in April 2021, referring older data to Manx Care.

Key Facts

  • The Department of Health and Social Care was redesigned on 1 April 2021, separating policy from service delivery by Manx Care.
  • Information for the period prior to 1 April 2021 was refused as it is likely held by Manx Care.
  • No payments were made to recruitment agencies between 1 April 2021 and 13 October 2021.
  • Relocation costs were reimbursed to two successful candidates during the specified period.
  • The total relocation cost disclosed was £13,854.

Data Disclosed

  • 13/10/16 - 13/10/21
  • 1 April 2021
  • 13 October 2021
  • £10,000
  • £3,854
  • £13,854
  • 2020821
  • 2021053

Exemptions Cited

  • Section 11(3)a of the Act (practical refusal reason: information not held or cannot be found after reasonable steps)

Original Request

Hi, I would like to ask, how much has the department spent on recruiting off island workers? The information must include: - Payments to recruitment agencies. - Relocation costs reimbursed to successful candidates (overall and per individual) - Any other significant costs that are equal to or greater than the two amounts above. Thankyou

Data Tables (1)

Data Tables (reformatted)

Cost Category Details
Payments to recruitment agencies None
Relocation costs reimbursed to successful candidates (overall and per individual) The Department has committed to reimburse relocation costs to two successful candidates. To date, these figures are individually £10,000 and £3,854 with the overall cost being £13,854. This is based on information held currently.
Any other significant costs that are equal to or greater than the two amounts above None

Full Response Text

Chief Executive: Kathryn Magson Freedom of Information Team Crookall House Demesne Road Douglas Isle of Man IM1 3QA

Our ref: 2020821 29 October 2021

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 4 October 2021 and which states:

"Hi, I would like to ask, how much has the department spent on recruiting off island workers? The information must include: - Payments to recruitment agencies. - Relocation costs reimbursed to successful candidates (overall and per individual) - Any other significant costs that are equal to or greater than the two amounts above. Thankyou" Further clarification regarding the dates your request relates to was sought and on 13 October 2021 you confirmed: I need this info for the last 5 years. 13/10/16 - 13/10/21 While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Department of Health and Social Care ('the Department') is unable to provide some of the information that you have requested. This is in line with Section 11(3)a of the Act, as a practical refusal reason applies; namely we do not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find some of the information that you have requested as it may be held by Manx Care. You may wish to re-submit your request to Manx Care which is an option available on the Freedom of Information request portal, who may be able to help you. To provide advice and assistance, the Department of Health and Social Care redesigned on 1 April 2021 as a direct result of Sir Jonathan Michael’s Independent Review of the Isle of Manx Health and Care System. This Review continues to be a catalyst for change and improved service provision. The redesigned Department ensures the separation between the setting of policy and strategy and the delivery of care services by Manx Care.

I have detailed below the information that is held. From 1 April 2021 to 13 October 2021, the Department of Health and Social Care has made: Payments to recruitment agencies - None Relocation costs reimbursed to successful candidates (overall and per individual) - the Department has committed to reimburse relocation costs to two successful candidates. To date, these figures are individually £10,000 and £3,854 with the overall cost being £13,854. This is based on information held currently. Any other significant costs that are equal to or greater than the two amounts above - None

Please quote the reference number 2021053 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.