A storm is brewing over news that the NI Housing Executive has said 450 jobs will go over the next three years in a bid to save money.

The trade union, Nipsa claims that 60 temporary staff have already been dismissed in recent weeks and the union is threatening strike action.

However, in a statement, a Housing Executive spokesperson said: "Most of those who have left were on 13-week contracts.

"The executive is expected to make reductions in our staffing budget but has consulted with Nipsa over this."

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But, the trade union said industrial action could follow as no arrangement has been made to cover the work.

They said that a protest is to be held outside a meeting of the Housing Executive's management in Belfast on Wednesday.

The Housing Executive said the cuts were necessary because of reductions in its staffing budget.

Speaking to the BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme today, Maureen Taggart, Head of Personnel for the Housing Executive, said the staff cuts would be primarily administrative and professional/technical staff.

She said the job cuts would also hit management and supervisory levels.

"It is always difficult when staff are released, but the Housing Executive in line with all government departments is required to deliver a 5% efficiency savings each year for the next three years," she said.

In counterpoint, Nipsa's Bumper Graham said that it is "hard to see how we can move forward on the housing front at the same time that 15% of the workforce is going to be slashed".

(BMcC)