A director of a care home for people with learning difficulties is being investigated for allegedly embezzling more than €1.5 million.

The public prosecution office said six people in total had been arrested in connection with the inquiry, which centres on a daycare and residential facility in South Holland province.

The director is suspected of documentary fraud, false accounting and money laundering dating back to 2011. He and his girlfriend, who is also accused of money laundering, have been remanded in custody.

Two members of the supervisory board and two directors of a project development company are also suspected of involvement in the fraud. An accountant and another member of staff have been questioned as suspects.

The investigation began in 2015 after a rogue transaction came to light. The home of the suspect, his office and the offices of the accountant and the project developer were searched as part of the inquiry, as well as the homes of the members of the supervisory board.