Assembly Committee Urges those Eligible to Apply to HIA Redress Board

The Northern Ireland Executive established the Inquiry into Historical Institutional Abuse to investigate the abuse of children under 18 who lived in institutions in Northern Ireland between 1922 and 1995.

The Assembly’s Committee for the Executive Office is urging anyone who experienced abuse in these institutions during this period to apply for compensation before the April deadline. 

Paula Bradshaw MLA, Chairperson of the Executive Office Committee said: “The final deadline for applications to be received by the Historical Institutional Abuse Redress Board is 2 April - which is just over three weeks away.

“As a Committee we feel very strongly that anyone who is eligible for a payment should not miss the opportunity to apply.

“The Redress Board was set up to receive applications and make decisions on compensation awards to victims and survivors of historical institutional abuse.

“You could be eligible for compensation if you were resident in an institution in Northern Ireland between 1922 and 1995.  This could have been a children’s home, a borstal or training school – and you might have suffered or witnessed sexual, physical, emotional abuse, neglect or maltreatment.

“We understand that retelling or reliving harrowing experiences can be upsetting and re-traumatising for survivors and so it is important to underline that support services are available during the application process.

“You can make an application online or by downloading a form or by requesting a hard copy.  Alternatively, you can instruct a solicitor to make an application on your behalf and the Redress Board will pay the related costs and expenses.

“If you haven’t yet come forward but are interested in the compensation scheme, you can find further information, details on support services and how to apply here:  https://www.hiaredressni.uk/make-application“

ENDS

For further information please contact the Assembly’s Communications Office: communications@niassembly.gov.uk

Notes to editors

• The Northern Ireland Executive established the Inquiry into Historical Institutional Abuse, which investigated abuse of children under 18 who were living in an institution in Northern Ireland between 1922 and 1995. https://www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk/articles/historical-institutional-abuse-inquiry

• The Historical Institutional Abuse (Northern Ireland) Act 2019 provided the legal framework for the establishment of the Historical Institutional Abuse Redress Board.