SDLP Social Development Spokesperson Mark H Durkan has said full details of the exact amount overpaid by the Housing Executive, how it occurred and how it went unnoticed for so long need to be established and made public as soon as possible.

The Foyle Assembly Member has written to the DSD Minister and the Chair of the Housing Executive to request urgent meetings to discuss these issues.

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He said: "The seriousness of this situation requires swift and urgent action to establish the facts. Exactly how was this figure of £18m arrived at, how did it occur and how did it go unnoticed for so long when both the Department for Social Development and the Northern Ireland Audit Office have representation on the Housing Executive’s Audit Committee?

"There are thousands of hard working staff and former employees in the Housing Executive. Until the facts are established they feel they are all tarnished and under a cloud of suspicion. Morale within the Housing Executive is at an all-time low. The sooner the full facts are established the better it is for everyone."

(CD/MH)