Sinn Féin MLA Fra McCann has called for a major investment package to help the construction industry deal with the biggest slump in many years.

The west Belfast MLA said if finance was made available to bring empty houses back into play and resources made available for home owners to bring their houses up to decent standards this would be a major uplift for this hard pressed sector.

The Sinn Féin Housing Spokesperson said: "Thousands of houses remain empty which continue to cause problems for neighbouring houses and give a picture of dereliction.

-- Advertisement --

"If finance was made available this would not only provide jobs but begin to deal with the serious problems of huge waiting lists.

"It would also see the Assembly to fulfill its obligation to the green economy.

"Not only would it provide jobs in the construction sector but also have a major impact on the local business community such as local shops, building suppliers and the many other businesses who rely on the house building sector to survive."

The west Belfast MLA also said many thousands of homeowners have seen the withdrawal of financial assistance and this has see the continued deterioration of their homes with no means to bring them up to decent standards.

(CD/GK)