To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on research commissioned by the Executive Office into Historical Clerical Child Abuse.

Mrs Little-Pengelly

We recognise how important the issue of clerical child abuse is. We are aware of the devastating impact that it has had on many people. The junior Ministers met victims and survivors in September through the reference group to, at first hand, hear about their experiences and restate our commitment to this important work. Work is progressing on the three separate pieces of research that we have commissioned: one examining records held by faith organisations and statutory agencies; one recording the experiences and expectations of victims and survivors; and one examining the safeguarding policies and practices of faith groups. We intend to call shortly for victims and survivors to come forward to participate in that research. The research is an important step in deciding the best way forward to address the impact and legacy of that abuse. We look forward to the conclusion of the research projects next spring and, subsequently, to seeing the final report and recommendations. As with all these things, it will be a trauma-informed response. We will, of course, move forward conscious of the pain and trauma that many victims and survivors of clerical abuse are still going through.

Mr Speaker

We have no more time for tabled questions. We will move to topical questions.