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Citizens' Advice Centres (Londonderry)

Volume 918: debated on Monday 1 November 1976

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asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what sums from public funds have been paid to citizens' advice centres in Londonderry; if he will list the centres and sums; by whom the moneys were paid; if the centres were new ventures or, if not, how long they had been in existence; and what they were formerly named; by whom they are now run and by whom they were formerly operated; and which of them are in areas where the RUC can operate only with the help of the Army.

Grants from public funds have been paid to the Derry Community Social Centre which is at 1A High Street, as follows: 1972–73, £3,144; 1973–74, £4,254; 1974–75, £3,474; 1975–76, £9,850. The centre, which has been in existence since 1947, was formerly known as the Catholic Social Service Centre and was operated by a local committee. Since 1971 it has been run under the auspices of the Churches' Central Committee for Community work.In addition, payments have been made as follows as a contribution towards the salary of an organiser employed by the North West Council of Social Services: 1972–73, £350; 1973–74, £750; 1974–75, £765; 1975–76, £822. Since this organiser is responsible for the council's other activities as well as its Citizens' Advice Bureau at 35 Great James Street, it is not possible to identify precisely the amounts paid in support of the bureau.Before 1st April 1975 grants were paid by the former Department of Community Relations; since that date by the Department of Education.Neither the centre nor the bureau is situated in an area of the city where police duties are normally performed with Army support.