There has been an assurance that housing remains an Executive priority.

Despite well publicised economic economic gloom - and looming expenditure cuts - the NI Finance Minister Sammy Wilson told representatives of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) that, where additional resources become available, housing needs will continue to be considered a key priority.

He was meeting the CIH representatives to discuss a range of issues currently facing the housing sector.

Speaking after the meeting, the Minister said: "The Chartered Institute of Housing plays an important role in shaping housing policy in Northern Ireland and I fully support their work in exploring and addressing the difficulties currently being faced in the housing sector.

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"I was particularly interested to hear about the work of the Commission on the Future for Housing in Northern Ireland and I, along with the Housing Minister and other ministerial colleagues, look forward to the final report, which will seek to present an interlocking package of recommendations for the long term future of housing in Northern Ireland," he said.

However, the Minister cautioned that, during these times of financial constraints, any additional funding for social housing could be made available only by reducing capital investment in other areas, which would have a detrimental impact on the economy.

Mr Wilson continued: "The Executive has been working with the housing sector to alleviate pressures during these difficult times.

"Throughout 2008/09 the social housing budget was increased by £26.5million and approval was given for in-year reallocations amounting to £26million.

"I think that we need to consider ways of levering in more private sector finance in the longer term to ensure that we have a more sustainable future for funding housing provision, particularly in the rented sector, and I was pleased to hear the views of the Institute on this issue," he concluded.

(BMcC/KMcA)