The chairman of the Manx Labour Party has expressed concern over the closure of David Gray House bail hostel.

David Gray House, which is owned and operated by the Salvation Army, will close on October 1 when the government’s contract with the charity ends.

Services are being transferred to new residential facility, owned by the government and operated directly by the probation service, at Tromode House.

The government is promising a ’smooth transition’ to the new unit.

But Manx Labour Party chairman David Cretney MLC has written to Dan Davies, chief executive of the Department of Home Affairs, with a series of questions and concerns.

He has questioned why the department has decided to ’disengage’ with the third sector operator, claiming 10 staff are being made redundant as a result.

Mr Cretney said: ’I understand discussions about its future have been ongoing for several years and new staff, because of the uncertainty have been taken on via fixed term contracts.

’Did the department contact any of the 10 experienced staff who are being made redundant with a view to employment with the new regime?

’Have any of them being interviewed for such employment?

’If not, how can the new arrangements be described as a "smooth transition" - surely an insult to the dedicated staff?’

He asked if the facility is fully staffed to open on schedule on October 1.

Mr Cretney said he understood a security firm is to manage the Tromode House facility overnight and has asked for details.

What will be the difference in terms of budget allocation, he queried, and what new programmes will be offered that are not available under the current regime.

In other questions to Mr Davies, Mr Cretney sought clarification on who will be administering medication before bedtime and whether the department envisages any issues by having the residential facility above the probation service?

Is the siting not less preferable than a town centre location - away from the job centre, benefits office and shops?’ he asked.

Mr Cretney continued: ’Are you aware that David Gray House took in homeless persons as part of the ethos of the organisation and is this not a further concern?

’Have you or the Minister been to visit and thank personally the 10 staff who are being made redundant? Do you have any plans to do so before the facility closes on September 30?

’Have the new operators engaged with the existing operators to discuss residents now in David Gray House, their forward care plans and transitional arrangements?’

Mr Cretney has yet to receive a reply from the DHA.

The Salvation Army has run David Gray House in partnership with the Probation Service since 1994.