Preservation of Documents (Historical Institutions) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022

Meaning of “relevant institution” etc.

4.—(1) An institution is a relevant institution if it falls within subsection (2) or (3), but this is subject to such exceptions as may be prescribed.

(2) An institution falls within this subsection if it was a workhouse within the meaning of the Poor Relief Acts (Northern Ireland) 1838 to 1937.

(3) An institution falls within this subsection if it was an institution in which a voluntary organisation provided residential accommodation for women or children, took decisions about the women or children and—

(a) provided services to the women or children related to pregnancy or maternity,

(b) provided day-to-day care for the women or children,

(c) required the women or children to work (whether with or without pay), or

(d) provided such other service as may be prescribed.

(4) A reference to “a resident of a relevant institution” includes a reference to a child who was provided with residential accommodation in the institution.

(5) A reference to being a resident of a relevant institution includes a reference to being absent from the institution while under the care of—

(a) the public body or voluntary organisation which provided residential accommodation for the woman or child in the institution, or

(b) a person authorised by that body or organisation.