To ask the Minister of Finance whether proceeds from the sale of capital assets are (i) held by the Department selling the asset; (ii) held by his Department to redistribute; or (iii) returned to the Treasury.

Each financial year departments will have a planned level of both Capital and Resource DEL receipts set out in their agreed budget position. Receipts up to this level can be retained by the department.

In line with the current In Year Monitoring Guidance any receipts above the level planned in the relevant budget position, must be surrendered by departments as a reduced requirements for redistribution by the Executive.

To encourage the better utilisation of assets, in my draft Budget proposals 2026-2029/30 I have proposed to the Executive that departments be allowed to retain any capital receipts of up to £20 million per annum from the sale of assets.