Historical institutional abuse: NI survivors paid £77m compensation

It could take 10 years to work through the thousands of claims, a Stormont committee was told in 2021

About £77m of compensation has been paid to survivors of historical institutional abuse in Northern Ireland so far.

More than 4,000 applications for redress have been received, Stormont's Executive Office said.

The awards have been made to people who suffered abuse at state, church or charity-run homes in Northern Ireland.

The Historical Institutional Abuse Redress Board, set up to process applications, began payments in 2020.

However, in April 2021 a Stormont committee was told it could take up to 10 years to work through these applications.

Acknowledgement of suffering

Support and compensation for victims were among the recommendations of the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry (HIAI), which investigated decades of abuse across a number of Northern Ireland institutions.

Anyone who resided in an institution or home between 1922 and 1995 and suffered or witnessed abuse is eligible to apply.

Applications can also be made on behalf of someone who has died if the relative is a spouse, civil or cohabitating partner or child.

The executive has previously said it recognised financial redress could not take away the harm people have experienced, but payments were an acknowledgement of their suffering.

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The HIAI was formally set up in 2012 and chaired by retired high court judge Sir Anthony Hart.

During the inquiry, 246 individuals gave evidence in person.

A further 87 statements were read into the record, with some former residents too unwell to attend the hearings.

Sir Anthony, who died in 2019, concluded there was widespread abuse and mistreatment of young residents at the institutions under investigation.

Patrick Gallagher, director of victims and survivors at the Executive Office, said Stormont now wanted to reach victims and survivors "who are unaware of the help and support that is now available to them".

The next phase of the awareness campaign for victims and survivors is set to be rolled out, using online and outdoor advertising to increase awareness of the services and compensation available.

Owen Beattie, a solicitor for some of those affected, commended the redress board.

He added: "There does, however, need to be continued public engagement and raised awareness so that no abuse victim is denied access to justice and some form of financial accountability."