NI Housing Minister Margaret Ritchie has expressed optimism for the long-term sustainable future of the Northern Ireland construction industry.

Stressing that strengthening the sector is one of her Department's priorities, she told Build Ireland news website during a tour of Belfast's Crumlin Road Prison site (pictured): "This is the first time in many, many years there has been such a major social housing development programme, which will be constructed over the next three years.

"So there is an opportunity out there for the development of the construction industry in Northern Ireland."

The Minister said further announcements on shared future housing estates, shared equity initiatives and mortgage rescue schemes will all provide a "very positive message" for the ailing building trade.

The Minister's comments come the same day a consortium of Northern Ireland building stakeholders held crisis talks to discuss the state of the local economy.

Ms Ritchie said her Department had already engaged with local construction representatives: "There is a positive message from the Department of Social Development, and we are working on priming the construction industry."

-- Advertisement --

However, the Minister said some external factor were out of her control: "None of us have any control over the global credit crunch and the correction of the economy."

Speaking on the extensive plans for the regeneration of the former Crumlin Road Prison site, Ms Ritchie said: "This will be a good example of shared future housing when developed, which is very important for sustainable communities and sustaining the construction industry, the local economy and making lives better."

Part of the site is currently operating as a temporary museum, which has proved popular with the city's tourists.

Visitors are offered guided tours of a jail wing, but officials have suggested more private buy-in would be required to sustain the complete building as a permanent attraction.

Over £1m of refurbishment work has already been undertaken to restore the prison's façade.

Long-term plans for the prison building itself are still being developed.

Ms Ritchie was joined at the former gaol by Conservative Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Owen Paterson, who was told of the potential for the entire site.

The leading Conservative MP also visited a number of Belfast housing projects, including the NI Housing Executive-supported Conway Court Homeless Hostel.

Ms Ritchie said: "I very much welcome the fact that the Shadow Secretary of State took a full day to view housing initiatives in Northern Ireland and get an update on my New Housing Agenda.

"Housing is multi-facetted and it was important that we reflected this by dealing with homelessness, social and affordable housing, housing for special needs, shared future, regeneration and the significant strides that are being taken to create eco homes in Northern Ireland."

(PR)