Boosting building jobs could be on the agenda at a much-touted Stormont Executive meeting, expected to be held this week.

For months the Northern Ireland devolved institutions have remained in a virtual deadlock, with the two biggest parties - Sinn Fein and the DUP - failing to agree on key issues, such as the transfer of policing powers to the Executive, and the reform of post-primary academic selection.

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As a result Sinn Fein ministers have boycotted around-the-table talks, citing unequal partnership sentiments, expressed by fellow MLAs, for their decision.

Speculation is mounting that a full cabinet meeting will take place this Thursday, after several rounds of deferred inter-ministerial talks.

Ministers will reportedly discuss a fuel poverty action plan, and ways of pushing forward a number of public contracts to shore-up construction jobs in the province.

A decision on the future of the Maze prison site it still pending, with Sports Minister Gregory Campbell expected to present findings on the validity of a nation sport stadium to Executive colleagues eminently.

(PR/JM)