Despite post-Budget belt-tightening, the NI Finance Minister Nigel Dodds has told a leading housing body that ambitious house building projects remain on track.

Mr Dodds was addressing the Northern Ireland Housing Council this week and said that, despite the recent shortfall in house and land receipts, the delivery of 10,000 social and affordable housing units by 2013 is still on course.

Mr Dodds was meeting with the Housing Council to look at the impact the downturn in the housing market has had on the social economy, construction industry and supply chain.

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"Social housing continues to be a priority for the Executive and for me personally.

"Whilst our resources are finite and there are many competing demands, we are still on course to deliver the Public Service Agreement target of 10,000 social and affordable units by 2013," he continued.

Mr Dodds also commented on the issue of funding available to the housing sector in the current economic climate.

"The reduction in available funding has been a consequence of the wider economic climate and the loss of significant income from the sale of houses and land.

"My department is committed to continuing to work with the Department for Social Development as it develops options to address its shortfall in receipts from sales," he insisted.

(BMcC/JM)