Ulster Unionist MLA Tom Elliott has expressed his surprise after receiving written answers to Assembly questions to the Minister for Social Development which show that the Northern Ireland Housing Executive had an underspend of £23m in the October monitoring round.

Furthermore, 1,555 preliminary inquiries for Housing Grants have been cancelled since 1 April 2012.

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Mr Elliott said: "The news that the Housing Executive had an underspend of £23 million in the 2013/14 June monitoring round is a story in itself.

"I then learned that 1,555 'Preliminary Enquiries' for housing grants have been cancelled since 01 April 2012 and that 56 applications submitted for consideration under Exceptional Circumstances were also refused.

"I have several people in my constituency in Fermanagh & South Tyrone - some with health problems - who have been refused grant assistance from Housing Executive for home repairs due to a lack of funds.

"Surely I cannot be the only one who thinks that at least some of this £23 million could have been utilised for important home improvements?"

(CD/JP)