Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what residential facilities are available in Northern Ireland for asylum applicants; and when those facilities were last inspected.

Accommodation is provided for single applicants in single self contained properties and in HMO’s (houses of multiple occupation). Family accommodation is provided for families. Where a service user has specific needs, that impact on the type of accommodation required (e.g. pregnant women), details will be made known to the providers at the time of dispersal to ensure that suitable properties are offered.

Accommodation for asylum seekers is provided under the COMPASS contract. COMPASS contract providers are required to provide safe, habitable, fit for purpose and correctly equipped accommodation to comply with relevant mandatory and statutory requirements in relation to housing and this includes the Housing Act 2004. Properties are inspected at least once every month.