Northern Ireland Minister for Social Development Margaret Ritchie has emphasised that housing will remain her "first and foremost priority".

Speaking at a public meeting in Maghera to discuss affordable housing, the Minister said that her New Housing Agenda was now gaining momentum.

Ms Ritchie said: "I was disappointed to read and hear some of the coverage following the recent announcement about our co-ownership scheme. Let me be clear, co-ownership remains a very important aspect in my new housing agenda.

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"A minimum of 500 new applicants will be supported this year. This is in line with the pledge given in the Programme for Government. We will also be building many more social and affordable huses and securing a major contribution from the private sector."

During the event the Minister outlined her new plans for housing and answered questions from the public about how she will deliver on her 'radical and energetic agenda for housing that perhaps has not been seen for a generation'.

The Minister also outlined how she would continue to work closely with her Ministerial Colleague Arlene Foster to bring forward detailed proposals to introduce a developer contribution to increase the supply of social and affordable housing here.

(VB/JM)