To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline the timeline for research into Historical Clerical Child Abuse to inform the Inter-Departmental Working Group.

It is important that we hear the experiences and address the needs of people who have suffered clerical abuse.

It is unthinkable that people were harmed so greviously by those who should have protected them. Survivors deserve truth and they deserve justice.

The Terms of Reference for a research project on historical clerical child abuse have been agreed by the Inter-Departmental Working Group. These are to come to Ministers for approval very shortly. It is intended that the research will be commissioned as soon as possible and will be completed within twelve months.

To help inform this area of work, the Independent Chair of the Inter-Departmental Working Group has established a Reference Group of victims and survivors and their representatives.

Members of the group have had the opportunity to consider the draft Terms of Reference and the final version reflects their considerations as to what the research should include. Their views, and the views of victims and survivors more widely, will continue to be central to this work as it progresses.

The research is a key step in deciding the best way forward on addressing the impact and legacy of abuse. It will also help to inform how we can best address the needs and concerns of people affected, which is paramount.