The number of local councils in Northern Ireland could be significantly reduced, a government minister has indicated.

Speaking on Wednesday, Ulster minister Ian Pearson said that the number of authorities in the province could fall from the present number of 26 to fewer than 10, with greater powers given to those that remain.

"I think most people realise that 26 councils in Northern Ireland is too many," he told BBC Radio Ulster.

"How far you need to go down to get councils of a sufficient scale where they can actually be major contributors to economic regeneration is a matter for discussion and debate.

"I happen to think that talking about reducing it to single figures makes sense."

A review of public administration was launched by the Stormont executive shortly before its suspension in October 2002.

Reports suggest that Pearson could publish the final report on the issue in the autumn, after discussions with the man in charge of the consultation process, Northern Ireland ombudsman Tom Frawley.

Alternatives include the creation of one "super council" and seven smaller ones, or five "super councils" with greater powers.

Such a reduction has received the backing of the Local Government Association.

"Potentially after five years, we could see much more normal local government, which is something we haven't known before in Northern Ireland," said spokeswoman Heather Moorhead.

"The elected members would be responsible for education, planning, economic development and regeneration of their areas instead of those things being left to administrative agencies."

However, the plans do not have the backing of the SDLP, which has described them as an "unwelcome development" that would remove power from the grassroots.

Meanwhile, the DUP has argued that the move could mean that ratepayers are not given the same attention from their councillors as they receive now.

But Ulster Unionists have expressed their support for change.

"I think that local government can do an awful lot more," said Belfast City councillor Sir Reg Empey.

"It should never have been left in the powerless position it was in."