Northern Ireland

Victims of institutional abuse query delay in appointing permanent commissioner

(From L-R) Anna Mercer from Stratagem NI, Claire McKeegan of Phoenix Law, civil service head David Sterling and Margaret McGuckin of Savia
(From L-R) Anna Mercer from Stratagem NI, Claire McKeegan of Phoenix Law, civil service head David Sterling and Margaret McGuckin of Savia (From L-R) Anna Mercer from Stratagem NI, Claire McKeegan of Phoenix Law, civil service head David Sterling and Margaret McGuckin of Savia

A GROUP representing victims of institutional abuse has questioned why the process to appoint a permanent commissioner has not begun.

Survivors and Victims of Institutional Abuse (Savia) said they were told at a meeting with senior officials including David Sterling, the head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, on Tuesday that a permanent commissioner will not be appointed until August or September at the earliest.

Long-awaited legislation to set up a redress board for victims of historical institutional abuse was passed at Westminster in November.

But three months on, the process to appoint a commissioner has still not begun, the group said.

It is more than three years since the Historical Institutional Abuse (HIA) inquiry exposed serious sexual, physical and emotional abuse over decades at children's homes run by religious orders, charities and the state.

It made a series of recommendations including compensation payments, an apology, a public memorial, care packages for victims and survivors and a statutory commissioner for survivors of institutional childhood abuse (COSICA).

Brendan McAllister was appointed as an interim victims' commissioner over the summer. But Savia said a statutory commissioner is urgently needed.

Margaret McGuckin, of Savia, has written to the Executive Office asking for greater detail.

She said survivors need to know exactly when the process to appoint a new commissioner will begin.

Ms McGuckin said greater clarity was also needed over when applications for redress payments can be made and when the first payments will be released.

She said a clear timetable, including specific dates, needs to be set out.

"Survivors have heard conflicting reports so we need to be properly updated by the Executive Office now," she said.

"There is no communication."

The group is also asking for an urgent meeting with First Minister Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill over "issues relating to the delivery of services and support to victims and survivors of historical institutional abuse".

Solicitor Claire McKeegan of Phoenix Law, who represents the majority of abuse victims, said the delay in appointing a commissioner was unacceptable.

"More than three years ago the HIA Report recommended the appointment of a designated commissioner who would be responsible for ensuring the coordination of services for the complex needs of survivors of abuse," she said.

"For too long our clients have carried the weight of this burden alone unassisted. The COSICA must be implemented as a matter of extreme urgency."

An Executive Office spokesperson said: “Ministers are committed to ensuring that all necessary supports are in place for victims and survivors of institutional abuse.

"The recruitment process for the commissioner for survivors of institutional childhood abuse will commence shortly. The interim advocate will continue to provide support and advocacy services in the intervening period.”