08 June 2005

Government considers Stormont buildings sale

The Government has confirmed it is considering selling off a number of its buildings at Stormont to the private sector.

While speculation has been rife in recent weeks that the Stormont estate is to be sold off, a spokesperson for the Department of Finance and Personnel today denied this.

"There are no plans to sell off the Stormont estate,” the spokesperson said. ”There are, however, plans to rationalise and improve the wider civil service office estate over the next five to seven years. These plans do not include Parliament Buildings, Stormont Castle, Stormont House or the public park area.”

The Government said the proposals, which have still to be approved by ministers, will provide better accommodation for staff “in a way that will deliver significant savings of around £100 million and ongoing value for money for the taxpayer”.

Among the properties understood to be under consideration for sale is the building where the Good Friday Agreement was signed in 1998.

(MB/SP)