Sinn Fein's Housing spokesperson Fra McCann is demanding the urgent release of the report into housing maintenance contracts by DSD Minister Nelson McCausland.

Mr McCann said: "I believe that the report into housing maintenance contracts is complete and it should be released into the public domain urgently.

"Far from the allegations of fraud and overpayment, it's my understanding that senior Housing Executive officials report that there was no fraud and problems with payments are strongly contested.

"In June Minister McCausland claimed his department had uncovered a scandal of £18 million over payments to Housing Executive contractors.

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"It was also claimed that it was incompetence within the Housing Executive which allowed this to happen.

"It is my understanding that this report paints a different picture from the claims being made by the Minister.

"I'm saying clearly, let the facts speak for themselves and release the report now so that the allegations by Minister McCausland can stand or fall on the reports evidence."

In response to Mr McCann's comments the Minister said: "It is surprising that Mr McCann is not as anxious as I am to ensure these matters are properly and fully investigated so that the facts can speak for themselves, rather than making unfounded speculations and inaccurate comments. This report is being carried out by the NI Housing Executive, not by me nor my Department. The Housing Executive has confirmed that this report is not complete and when complete, will be made available. The £18million overpayments was advised to me by the Housing Executive based on its preliminary investigations. As Minister, I wanted to make my Assembly colleagues aware of this given the significant amount of public monies involved and I am surprised Mr McCann is questioning this course of action."

(CD/JP)