‘Time running out’ to press institutions to contribute to redress fund
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Stormont has been urged to place a legal obligation on institutions to contribute to a redress fund for abuse survivors. Concern was also voiced that scores of people who suffered abuse at institutions in Northern Ireland are still not aware of the redress scheme for which the deadline for applications is April 2.
The compensation scheme for victims and survivors was set up in 2019 following a recommendation of the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry public which issued its final report in 2017. The inquiry, led by Sir Anthony Hart, revealed the extent of sexual, physical and emotional abuse at homes run by the state, church and charities from 1922 to 1995.
Jon McCourt of the group Survivors North West said they are running out of time on the redress process. He appeared before the Stormont Executive Committee on Wednesday afternoon along with Cyril Glass of Survivors Together and Gerry McCann of Rosetta Trust.
The three men had met with First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly earlier that day. Mr McCourt said they discussed the redress as well as a plan to create a memorial to victims of historic institutional abuse. Some £100 million in payments have so far been paid to victims of the abuse.
Appearing before the committee, Mr McCourt said he is concerned that so far only three of the institutions have made an interim payment towards the cost of redress. He said the religious institutions should “do the honourable thing” and make a pro rata contribution in Northern Ireland to what they did in the Republic of Ireland to be reviewed annually to meet the need of a fund for specialist services for victims and survivors of historic institutional abuse.
