Up to stg£17 million could be lying in Northern Ireland bank and building society accounts forgotten by its owners, it was revealed today.
The figure was revealed by the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NIVCA) as it called for money in dormant accounts to be used to benefit the community.
In its submission to the Treasury on unclaimed assets, NICVA said the Executive and Assembly should decide the overall priorities for spending the money in Northern Ireland. But it stressed ministers should not be able to use cash to plug spending holes within their budgets.
An estimated s£400-500 million has been sitting for 15 years or more in accounts in the UK and NICVA said the Northern Ireland share could be between £14-17 million.
"Our first priority is to have a campaign to reunite people with their money but it is wrong that banks and building societies should make a profit from these dormant funds. They should be used to benefit the community generally," said Seamus McAleavey, chief executive of NICVA.
Any scheme introduced should be compulsory for all banks and building societies, he added.
The voluntary and community sector umbrella body proposed public consultation on the priorities for spending the money.