Oral Answers to Questions — Finance – in the Northern Ireland Assembly at 3:15 pm on 16 September 2024.
Philip McGuigan
Sinn Féin
3:15,
16 September 2024
T3. Mr McGuigan asked the Minister of Finance to provide an update on the sale of Clarence Court, Netherleigh House and Victoria Hall. (AQT 523/22-27)
Caoimhe Archibald
Sinn Féin
My Department is progressing an ambitious review of its office estate, with the aim of reducing the in-scope footprint by 40% by March 2028. The sales process is nearing completion for Netherleigh House, Clarence Court and Victoria Hall, and officials are confident that sales will be completed in coming weeks.
Edwin Poots
DUP
I call the Minister. Mr McGuigan rather.
Philip McGuigan
Sinn Féin
Thank you for the promotion, a Cheann Comhairle.
I thank the Minister for her answer. What difference will the sale of those properties make to public finances?
Caoimhe Archibald
Sinn Féin
The sale of the buildings will enable some much-needed capital funding to be reinvested in public services, as well as reducing building costs for the Executive, including the costs of energy usage.
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
