To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many hostels are used by the Probation Board of Northern Ireland for housing known child sex offenders; where the hostels are; and how many sex offenders reside in these hostels. (80959)

There are five hostels approved by the Probation Board which accommodate child sex offenders. For reasons of public safety it is not in the public interest to provide detailed information about the whereabouts of sex offenders. Effective public protection can best be provided by the relevant agencies through monitoring and supervision of such offenders in a regulated and stable environment.