To ask the Minister for Communities (i) for her assessment of the impact that limited local seweage capacity has on house construction in areas in need of both private and social housing; and (ii) what conversations she has had with the Minister for Infrastructure to ensure that adequate sewerage capacity exists in areas in need of additional housing.

The potential implications for the development of social housing due to infrastructural issues has been of concern, particularly given the increasing levels of housing stress and need and the risks to the achievement of target delivery in future years. Capacity restrictions of water/sewerage infrastructure are routinely highlighted to my Department, as an issue impacting on the delivery of social housing particularly in areas of high housing need.

I have led work to develop a fundamental Housing Supply Strategy which is aimed at identifying and unlocking major levers for increasing supply across all housing tenures. I recognise that wastewater infrastructure is one of those key levers that can address our housing supply issues and my officials have been engaged with DfI officials throughout the Strategy development process.

My officials have and will continue to engage with DfI and NI Water as well as key stakeholders to explore what actions can be taken to find solutions to these issues. I have also recently met with the DfI Minister to discuss issues which impact on both our Departments. Following this it has been agreed that a further meeting will take place with officials from both Departments to examine this issue in more depth.