To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the steps they will take to ensure that victims and survivors of workhouses are included in discussions and co-design of actions arising from the work of the Truth Recovery Independent Panel, including (i) legislation on redress; and (ii) an inquiry.

Victims and survivors, including those affected by workhouses, played a key role in the co-design process which led to the Truth Recovery Design Panel’s report and recommendations. Their voices continue to inform the programme of implementation of these recommendations, and all victims and survivors have had the opportunity through the ongoing monthly consultation forum to make their views known; including on the nature of policies to inform legislation on the inquiry and redress schemes.

Victims and survivors, including those of workhouses, will also have the opportunity to provide testimonies to the Independent Panel, whose members were appointed in April 2023. The Panel’s recommendations will, in turn, help inform the work of the inquiry, as recommended by the Truth Recovery Design Panel’s report.

It is our intention to launch a public consultation on the policy proposals for the statutory public inquiry and redress schemes as quickly as possible, following which we will finalise the draft legislation for Executive agreement prior to introduction in the Assembly. The consultation will provide a further opportunity for victims and survivors of Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries, workhouses and other interested parties to comment in detail on these proposals.

We remain committed to ensuring the voices of victims and survivors are clearly heard to inform the policy development process, and would encourage full participation by all interested parties in the forthcoming consultation.