To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the work of the Inter-Departmental Working Group on Mother and Baby Homes, Magdalene Laundries and Historical Clerical Child Abuse.

It is important that we acknowledge the experiences and address the needs of survivors of Mother and Baby Homes, Magdalene Laundries and Historical Clerical Child Abuse. They deserve truth and they deserve justice. The Inter-Departmental Working Group is continuing to progress work on these matters.

The Department of Health leads the work in relation to Mother and Baby Homes and Magdalene Laundries.

A team of experts, the Truth Recovery Design Panel, was appointed on 4 March to work in partnership with victims and survivors of these institutions to establish the terms of reference for an independent investigation. To date, around 170 victims and survivors, both from here and further afield, have engaged in this process.

This work is set to conclude by September 2021 and the outcome of the co-design process will be referred to the Executive for their consideration.

Work also commenced last week commencing 21 June 2021 to co-design support services for victims and survivors of these institutions. In the meantime, caseworker support, emotional support and psychological therapies are available.

TEO leads the work on historical clerical child abuse. Terms of Reference for a research project have been agreed by the Inter-Departmental Working Group. These are currently under consideration by Ministers. Once approved, the research will be commissioned immediately and should be completed within twelve months.