COMFIRMATION that £100,000 interim compensation payments will be made by the end of the month to the victims of contaminated blood has been welcomed by Health Minister Robin Swann.
The British government has confirmed that payments are expected to be paid to beneficiaries of the Infected Blood Payment Scheme.
Thousands of people were diagnosed with HIV and hepatitis C across the UK after receiving NHS-supplied contaminated blood products in the 1970s and 1980s.
About 100 victims of the infected blood scandal are from Northern Ireland.
The health minister said the compensation "will build on the support already provided to those infected and bereaved by the NI Infected Blood Payment Scheme".
The interim payments were confirmed in August after a recommendation made by Independent Public Inquiry chair, Sir Brian Langstaff KC in an interim report, following oral evidence from Sir Robert Francis KC.
Mr Swann said he recognised the pain people impacted have gone through.
"I am acutely aware of the suffering that has been endured as a result of receiving infected blood and have been clear on the need to provide financial support to victims," he said.
"Confirmation that interim compensation payments are being processed and will be paid within days is to be welcomed and I do hope it should help alleviate some of the financial pressures faced."