To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister whether they will publish a formal departmental response to the recommendations of the Inquiry into Historical Institutional Abuse, including with reference to redress and a memorial.

The HIA Inquiry report was published in January 2017. The focus since then has been on implementation of the recommendations. We are committed to ensuring that victims and survivors have the acknowledgement, redress, and victim-centred support services they deserve.

The HIA Redress Board opened to applications on 31 March 2020, with the first payments being made seven weeks later. As of 29 February 2024, the Redress Board has received 4,333 applications for redress, and Redress Board panels have considered 4,271 of those applications and have made award determinations totalling £84,986,750.

Fiona Ryan was appointed as Commissioner in December 2020. In the same month the Victims and Survivors Service and two community partners, WAVE Trauma Centre and Advice NI, commenced the provision of services and support to victims and survivors.

In July 2021 an independent facilitator was appointed to take forward negotiations with the relevant institutions as to an appropriate financial contribution to the overall cost of the HIA Redress Board and specialist support services, and this work is progressing.

On 11 March 2022 Ministers Michelle McIlveen, Conor Murphy, Nichola Mallon, Robin Swann and Naomi Long offered a public apology to victims and survivors in the Assembly Chamber at Parliament Buildings. The apology was followed by statements from each of the institutions where systemic failings were found in the Hart Report.

A memorial to victims and survivors is the final recommendation of the Inquiry report to be implemented. The Inquiry recommended that a suitable physical memorial should be erected in Parliament Buildings, or in the grounds of Stormont Estate. Complementing engagement with victims and survivors, officials have also considered advice from Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse, which highlighted that the HIA Inquiry Report recommendation for a physical memorial should be implemented and consideration should be given to a wider memorial programme to reflect the range of victims and survivors’ views.

We do not have any plans to publish a formal departmental response to the recommendations of the Inquiry.