HC Deb 18 July 1984 vol 64 cc205-6W
Mr. Soley

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether each of the area health and social services boards in Northern Ireland place homeless families and homeless single people in emergency accommodation; and whether each board uses private flats and private landlords to meet their emergency accommodation needs.

Mr. Chris Patten

[pursuant to his reply, 17 July 1984, c. 99]: In accordance with the statutory obligation to assist persons in need, the health and social services boards in Northern Ireland provide temporary accommodation for homeless people. Such accommodation may be provided in hostels which are run by the boards or by a voluntary organisation; in private guest houses or small hotels; or in other board facilities such as a children's home or an old people's home. Normally private flats or private landlords are not used by boards but the Northern and Eastern boards sometimes use available accommodation in caravan parks.

Mr. Soley

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether each health and social services board has a list of bed and breakfast accommodation which will provide accommodation for homeless people; whether such accommodation is inspected; what are the names of the hostels which the four boards use to provide emergency accommodation for homeless people; and whether this accommodation is inspected.

Mr. Chris Patten

[pursuant to his reply, 17 July 1984, c. 99]: The information, as far as it is available, is as follows. All four boards have a list of bed and breakfast accommodation which will provide accommodation for homeless people. The following hostels are used by the four boards to provide emergency accommodation for homeless people:

Eastern Health and Social Services Board

  • St. Judes hostel, Belfast
  • Barnado "Deavery", Belfast
  • Carrick house, Belfast
  • Matilda street, hostel, Belfast
  • Salvation Army hostel, Belfast
  • Extern hostel, Belfast
  • Belfast women's aid hostels (3)
  • Roseville hostel, Belfast
  • Marianville, Belfast
  • Hopedene hostel, Belfast
  • Ashmore street hostel, Belfast
  • Mayard hostel, Belfast
  • Mayflower Salvation Army unit, Belfast
  • Mater dei hostel, Belfast
  • Thorndale, Belfast

Northern Health and Social Services Board

Womens' auxiliary home, Portrush

Southern Health and Social Services Board

  • Womens' refuge, Craigavon
  • Edward street hostel, Portadown
  • Homeless family unit, Good Shepherd convent, Newry

Western Health and Social Services Board

  • Womens' aid shelter, Londonderry
  • Clarendon street night shelter, Londonderry
  • Methodist mission hostel, Londonderry
  • The house in the wells, Londonderry

The hostels are either board facilities for the homeless or facilities run by voluntary organisations.