Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie today said that ministers must listen to expert economist Mike Smyth and invest in social house building.

She has encouraged her Executive colleagues to redraw their spending priorities in accordance with what Smyth - University of Ulster economist - states in a report.

In the report he said house building creates more jobs than other forms of capital investment. Mr Smyth also said that for every 10 created by building social housing another seven would be created and sustained elsewhere.

Smyth considers now it is a good time to invest in social housing because of the sharp falling of land and construction costs.

According to the expert, housing investment not only would boost the economy, but would also multiply effects in terms of employment and would reduce housing stress, homelessness and fuel poverty.

Moreover, he argues that investment in social housing takes pressure off budgets for health, education and crime reduction because it responses to deprivation and fuel poverty.

Ms Ritchie said that if there is not a revision in the spending priorities while the economic downturn persists, "housing need will keep growing and the construction industry will continue to shrink".

"I hope Executive and Assembly colleagues will read this paper and support its recommendations," she said.

(AC/JM)