There has been a call to kick-start construction work across NI with the SDLP Equality Spokesperson Dolores Kelly urging Stormont Deputy First Minster Martin McGuinness to explain thousands of planning applications "pile up in a backlog".

Asking why the 'PPS21' applications have "been lying on his desk untouched since November", the Upper Bann MLA said: "Martin McGuinness's inaction is holding back 2,500 applications within the planning system.

"This represents 2,500 families who are hoping to build homes in the local communities, very often where they were raised, and who are unable to progress with their planning applications.

"PPS21 has created some improvements from an agricultural perspective. However it really has not resolved the dilemma faced by many other rural dwellers and this issue can only be addressed by open debate and decision making about PPS21 at the Executive table, not by sitting in a dusty pile in the Deputy First Minister's office," she fumed.

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"We want to know what problems the Deputy First Minister has with PPS21 as it currently sits and why does he feel the need to hide his explanation from us?

"His delay is also preventing work being created for local tradesmen, arguably the group of people hit hardest by the recession, who are currently in dire need of employment," she concinued.

"Currently the economy should be the number one priority for the Executive but instead crucial planning policy is being held up as is the Reform of Public Administration across all of our local councils due to the seriously dysfunctional operation between Sinn Féin and the DUP at the heart of our government.

"The Deputy First Minister's 'idleness' is also having a detrimental impact upon staff in the planning service, which are already under immense strain due to the proposed redeployment of their jobs, as well as the public's confidence in the efficiency of the system," she alleged.

"I would urge Martin McGuinness to bring PPS21 out into the open for debate so that progress can be made in this area."

(BMcC/GK)