Government accused of creating dormant accounts ‘slush fund’

THE Government has been accused of attempting to rush through legislation to give it a political slush fund of more than €100 million in advance of the next General Election.

Under the Dormant Accounts Amendment Bill 2004, published yesterday by the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív, the Cabinet will have the final say on how money from the fund is paid out.

The Dormant Accounts Fund is intended to be used to aid the disadvantaged and those with disabilities. It is made up of money in bank accounts, building societies and post offices that has not been touched for 15 years.