Pensioners 'cannot withdraw money'

Department of Social Development confirmed there was a problem

Northern Ireland pensioners have been unable to withdraw their pensions as normal.

They were told on Friday that they will have to wait until Tuesday because of a problem with the new card accounts.

Belfast pensioner Anne Coulter has been told she cannot withdraw her pension as expected.

The money has not been transferred into her card account.

She will now have to wait until Tuesday at the earliest despite being told it would be available on Friday.

Her husband Eddie Coulter said they were relying on the money to see them through to the new year. He said it was unacceptable.

"All pensioners really want is the reassurance that their pension is there when they are told it is there," he said.

"That they are told on the phone by somebody that: 'I am terribly sorry, you will just have to wait' - that is not good enough."

The Department of Social Development confirmed there was a problem, but have not yet said why.