Northern Ireland

Historical Institutional Abuse: Institutions told they must contribute to compensation payments

The Historical Institutional Abuse inquiry published its report almost three years ago. File picture by Colm Lenaghan, Pacemaker
The Historical Institutional Abuse inquiry published its report almost three years ago. File picture by Colm Lenaghan, Pacemaker The Historical Institutional Abuse inquiry published its report almost three years ago. File picture by Colm Lenaghan, Pacemaker

AN institutional abuse campaigner has reiterated her call for vulnerable victims to be given interim compensation payments before Christmas.

Margaret McGuckin from Survivors and Victims of Institutional Abuse (Savia) said there was still time for elderly or seriously ill abuse survivors to receive some compensation this year.

The head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, David Sterling, has told six institutions they have an obligation to contribute to payments for victims.

Mr Sterling reminded them that the Historical Institutional Abuse (HIA) inquiry, which published its findings in January 2017, had recommended that "institutions found to be guilty of systemic failings will be asked to make a financial contribution to the overall financial cost of the Redress Board and any specialist support services recommended by the inquiry".

His letter comes weeks after legislation to compensate institutional abuse survivors in Northern Ireland was finally passed at Westminster.

The six institutions contacted were: The Sisters of Nazareth; The De La Salle order; The Good Shepherd Sisters; The Sisters of St Louis; Irish Church Missions, and Barnardos, which ran the Macedon Home in Newtownabbey.

All have been asked to provide a contact to oversee negotiations around compensation contributions.

Mr Sterling reminded the institutions that the Redress Board established by the new legislation can compel evidence and asked them to provide any documents needed to support compensation applications.

The landmark HIA inquiry exposed serious sexual, physical and emotional abuse over decades at children's homes run by religious orders, charities and the state across Northern Ireland.

It recommended compensation payments, an apology and care packages for victims.

Ms McGuckin welcomed Mr Sterling's letter but said the institutions should have been preparing to contribute to compensation payments several years ago.

"This could have been done before now. The inquiry ended three years ago," she said.

"I remember appealing to the churches years ago to give us something as a gesture of good faith. I said to them they should give money towards an interim scheme.

"I hope this is not going to add to another delay."

Ms McGuckin again called for interim payments for the most vulnerable victims to be made before Christmas.

High Court judge Mr Justice Adrian Colton was appointed as president of the Historical Institutional Abuse Redress Board earlier this month.

He is due to meet victims' groups before Christmas.

Brendan McAllister, interim victims' advocate, welcomed the letter.

"Now that the Redress Board is being set up it is time for everyone to shoulder their share of responsibility for undoing the harm suffered by innocent and defenceless children," he said.

"I hope that all concerned will enter talks with the Executive Office in a positive manner."