On Tuesday 15th March at 2PM, UNITE and NIC-ICTU handed over nearly 12,000 signatures collected from members of the public to the DfC Minister Deirdre Hargey calling for the Regina Coeli hostel to be saved.
The petition was handed to the Minister by Regina Coeli workers Emma McCann and Bernadette Herald, and their Unite the Union representatives, Taryn Trainor and Donal O’Cofaigh. They were also supported by NIC-ICTU leaders Alison Millar and Owen Reidy.
Taryn Trainor, Regional Equality Officer, UNITE, said:
It is vital that Minister for Communities Deirdre Hargey intervenes to ensure that this vital provision for vulnerable women is retained. She has lead responsibility for the provision of supported accommodation. It is concderning given the surge in reports of violence against women as a result of the Covid pandemic, that we are looking at the prospect of this service collapsing.
Regina Coeli House has provided the space needed for women who are homeless, have been abused, have addictions or mental health difficulties or who have been trafficked. There is simply nothing similar to it in terms of the support it provides to vulnerable women.
Alison Millar, Chair NIC-ICTU added:
These women workers are entering the tenth week of their work-in to save this facility. Unfortunately, and cynically, the management committee saw fit to dismiss them two days before they became eligible for redundancy payments. These workers need to have their employment rights protected and to be allowed to continue their vocation of providing care and support to vulnerable women.
Owen Reidy, ICTU Assistant General Secretary also noted:
These determined and compassionate women workers and their campaign has received huge levels of public support both locally and around the world. More than 12,000 people signed the Megaphone petitition to save Regina Coeli House. It is time Minister Hargey and the Department for Communities reinstates this service for vulnerable women and these workers.”
