Government to sell off civil service buildings

The Government has confirmed it is to sell off the majority of its civil service buildings in Northern Ireland, thus saving taxpayers £200 million.

Finance Minister Lord Rooker stated the buildings - Stormont Castle, Stormont House and Parliament Buildings – would all be kept, but that Castle Buildings, where the Good Friday Agreement was signed, would be sold.

Pledging a wide-ranging shake up of the Northern Ireland Civil Service estate through the 'Workplace 2010' plan, the Minister said: "Delivering high quality, efficient public services is a top priority for this Government. In Northern Ireland we have a real opportunity to improve delivery through a modern and flexible working environment for civil servants, which will enable them to deliver services differently and more efficiently.

"Workplace 2010 will allow Government to address the poor condition of its buildings, reduce the running costs of the estate and provide civil servants with a working environment that will ensure that Northern Ireland's citizens will receive better and more efficient services. This exciting programme is good news for everyone in Northern Ireland; the taxpayer and users of public services, the construction and service industries and those working in the Civil Service."

The new plans involve major refurbishment of a number of large government office buildings and the introduction of new working practices.

"As a result the Civil Service will be able to reduce the size of its office estate significantly, particularly in the Greater Belfast area," the Minister added.

However, UUP Spokesperson for Finance, and South Belfast MLA, Esmond Birnie has questioned the decision. He said: "Is it really sensible for the government to be selling off most of its properties?

"Is it truly economic sense? In the short run we get a cash injection - and offload the burden of modernising all these offices - but in the long run there will, in effect, be a mortgage burden to pay - so, we may pay more tomorrow."

(MB)