The system was developed on behalf of the Principal Civil Service Pensions Scheme (Northern Ireland).
Speaking from Waterside House in Londonderry during a visit to see the system in operation Mr Dodds said: “This innovative project will support Civil Service Pensions in its drive to provide the members of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (Northern Ireland) with real benefits in terms of quality of service and responsiveness to needs.
“The success of the new system is testament to the dedication of the staff working in Civil Service Pensions branch.
“I’m pleased to see the successful implementation of modern solutions that are streamlining working practices and offering greater efficiency.”
The new system is known as HartLink and is a partnership venture with Capita Hartshead. This is the first partnership of this type that Capita have embarked on. They are one of the largest provider of occupational pensions in the UK.
The benefits of the new system include improved access to documents through electronic document management following daily scanning of incoming post. An increase in the availability of information enables a more efficient service to pensioners including providing quicker responses to queries. The system also provides for payments to be issued more quickly to pensioners with the automation of manual functions.
Steve Birks, Director of Capita Hartshead commented: "Building an administration system for Civil Service Pensions was a challenging and exciting opportunity for us. It was vitally important for us to provide Civil Service Pensions with a high level of functionality, so they can carry out their service effectively and in a customer focused way. To have finished both on time and in budget is tribute to the way that the Capita Hartshead and Civil Service Pensions teams are working together to ensure immediate and continuing improvement to levels of service for members of the PCSPS(NI)."
The Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (Northern Ireland) pays out over 24,000 pensions every month and provides administration for 30,000 current members. The branch budget for pensions and lump sums in 2008/2009 is £190million
The Finance Minister visited the Pension Office as part of a day long visit to the North West where he also visited Land and Property Services staff based in Waterside House.
Notes to Editors:
- Eighty people are employed by the Department of Finance and Personnel’s Pensions Branch in Londonderry.
- Hartlink is a sophisticated administration software solution with a comprehensive set of web enabled self-service functionality. HartLink currently holds over three million member records, making it the largest occupational pensions administration database in the UK.
- Capita Hartshead is the leading provider of specialist administration, consultancy and specialist delivery solutions to the Life and Pensions Industry.
- Further information on Capita Hartshead can be found at www.capitahartshead.co.uk
- The Capita Group Plc is the UK’s leading provider of integrated professional support service solutions. Further information on The Capita Group Plc can be found at http://www.capita.co.uk
- Media enquiries only to DFP Communications Office on 028 9052 7374 or 028 9052 7375. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.
