UNITE has demanded an urgent meeting with Northern Ireland’s communities minister in a bid to prevent the closure of a women’s hostel in West Belfast.

Workers have been issued with notice of redundancy for February 27, the union said, describing the move as “a concerted effort to clear the amenity.”

Regina Coeli House has provided support to homeless and vulnerable women in the north of Ireland since 1935.

It is owned by the Legion of Mary — a Roman Catholic charity — but funded by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. 

In November it was reported that the facility, which provides accommodation and support to women suffering addictions and mental health issues, would be closing within months.

 Unite’s Jim Larkin branch has been supplying food to residents at the 21-bed unit while staff have seen some of the people they support move to mixed-sex facilities.

Unite regional secretary Jackie Pollock has written to Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey demanding an urgent meeting.

 “Unite will be engaging with our members and the residents on the next steps to secure the future of Regina Coeli. 

“We are calling on the local community to back these workers and join our call for ministerial intervention to safeguard this women’s hostel,” she said.