Margaret Ritchie said she was "shocked" by the Belfast Telegraph investigation which revealed how some people were still using outside toilets, living without hot water, bathrooms and in some cases without electricity.

In an exclusive interview, Mrs Ritchie vowed to visit the area within days to see "at first hand" the Dickensian conditions in which some people are living.

Her commitment comes just days after the Belfast Telegraph revealed residents' dissatisfaction that the minister had not visited the Village during her first week in office.

Mrs Ritchie said she fully supported the people of the Village and wanted to see regeneration start as soon as possible.

"I have always pledged my support to the people of the Village and all communities throughout Northern Ireland," she said.

"I can't understand the confusion surrounding this issue. I have always recognised the need to visit the area and I will be doing so within the next few days.

"I am visiting the Village area to hear at first hand what the residents want to say and to see the conditions at first hand.

"It is important that we are able to put together a regeneration strategy not solely about housing but that involves making changes to give strength and vibrancy to the area.

"It is about looking and putting in place revitalisation of the area and the economy.

"We need to look at the area and work out how we can go about it and how we are going to get there.

"It is not going to be an easy fix, it is a work in progress - regeneration of the whole area so that the Village becomes a thriving part of the city of Belfast.

"This requires me, along with my officials, to do something about the housing conditions, but not solely the housing.

"Something needs to be done with the roads, the schools, the community sector, local businesses, tackling drug and alcohol abuse, eradicating criminality and any other social and economic problems.

"So therefore a multi-sectoral, multi-departmental approach, is needed.

"And this will only come about through co-operation between the residents, the business community, local and public political representatives, my department and other public sector bodies and the investors in the private sector who are willing to help to achieve the full potential of the area.

"I was particularly shocked but I was driven with the need to be able to continue the work to help and improve their lives and I want them to be assured that this will take place."

Mrs Ritchie confirmed that funding, previously pledged by direct rule minister David Hanson, would be spent tackling housing problems in the area.

Added the minister: "I am looking forward to meeting the people, hearing at first hand what they have to say, to working with them, to continuing the work that my officials have already put in place and to ensure that the regeneration of this area continues."

Mrs Ritchie urged the Village community to engage with her officials who will be visiting the area ahead of her visit.

And she made a special plea for people to accept the help being offered.

She said: "If they have something to say - I say to them 'please say it'.

"The Village has lost nothing of its priority for attention.

"I estimate that about 400 of the dwellings need work to be done, but that needs the consent of the residents.

"We urge the residents to continue to convey their concerns but also to continue to convey their helpful suggestions."

Mrs Ritchie said her department would also be cracking down on rogue landlords.