Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Abuse victims’ redress scheme open for applications
THE financial redress scheme for victims of historical abuse is now open for applications.
It comes after Conor Murphy allocated £37.5million for the Historical Abuse Inquiry Redress Board in yesterday’s Budget.
First Minister Arlene Foster said decisions may take “longer than originally planned” due to Covid-19 but that the team would do all they could to progress payments.
She added: “We owe it to victims and survivors to ensure work continues in this key area as far as is possible in the current circumstances. Redress panel members and staff are working from home, so you can help us by applying through a solicitor, which keeps the applications digital.”
Deputy First Minister Michelle O’neill said: “As we launch the Historical Institutional Abuse Redress Board today our thoughts are with all victims and survivors and their families.
“Redress has been a long time coming and I pay tribute to all victims and survivors who, through their collective will, determination and resilience, have brought us to this important day of acknowledgement.”
Anyone who was resident in an NI institution between 1922 and 1995 and suffered or witnessed abuse or were subject to a harsh environment can apply to the Redress Board.
You may also be eligible to apply if you were sent to Australia under the Child Migrant Programme. Advice can be found on the Redress Board website at www.hiaredressni.uk.