The Government intends to mine substantial benefit from a sleight of hand which went unnoticed when it was mentioned in the immediate run-up to Christmas and which was once again referred to earlier this month. It involves the Government taking control of the disbursement of over €110 million, which currently is the responsibility of the Dormant Accounts Disbursement Board.

THE Government was accused yesterday of setting up a €110 million election slush fund to buy votes following a major change in the way the dormant accounts money is to be paid out.

MILLIONS of euro from dormant accounts is to be ploughed into projects for disadvantaged and disabled people within the next few months.