ULSTER Bank is to be hauled in front of an Oireachtas Committee to explain why money was missing from customers’ accounts.

The scandal has led to calls for a review of all retail banking IT systems in a bid to protect ­consumers.

2 The bank insisted the cash was not disappeared as feared Credit: PA:Press Association

But the bank was tonight putting the blame for the chaos on a “human error” as opposed to their computers.

The lender launched an “urgent” investigation after people woke up today to find funds, including monthly salaries, had vanished.

The bank — who said up to €500 would be available for stricken customers — was tonight insisting the cash had not disappeared as feared.

But that was after hundreds of disgruntled customers went online and reported their salaries were nowhere to be seen and direct debits had not been paid.

One Twitter user wrote: “What’s going on with your banking system again? Transfers done now reversed. Card payments done now missing. Balance available is all over the place.”

Another wrote: “My April salary was paid last Friday but today it has disappeared. I just had my card declined.

“I am getting no answer on the phone, every penny gone from both accounts.

“Ulster Bank did not reach out to customers, I have direct debits due today and no money at all . . as soon as this is sorted I’m changing banks.”

2 Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty demanded answers from the lender who were embroiled in an IT controversy back in 2012 Credit: PA:Press Association

One customer on Twitter said: “My pay and also a colleague’s missing from our bank accounts.

“Also all transactions related to the funds. This is a serious problem.”

An Ulster Bank spokesman said: “As a result of human error, a payment file did not process last night, which means some transactions applied to some customers accounts since April 20 are temporarily not showing.

“We investigated this issue as a matter of urgency and have already taken the necessary corrective action which will see recovery actions overnight.

“We apologise for the inconvenience caused and no customer will be left out of pocket as a result. Emergency Cash is available for impacted customers.”

The Joint Committee on Finance and Public Expenditure agreed today to invite UB to Leinster House.

It came after Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty demanded answers from the lender who were embroiled in an IT controversy back in 2012.

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It deprived customers of banking services for almost a month.

He said: “Banking is supposed to be based on trust. Ulster Bank customers find themselves let down again by their bank that they trusted would mind their money.

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said it was a “concerning development” and revealed the Central Bank were reviewing the matter.