Northern Ireland's First Minister and Deputy First Minister have introduced legislation to establish an Inquiry into Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses; and an associated redress scheme.
The Executive Bill, which can be read here, will establish a statutory public inquiry and a statutory redress scheme.
The estimated cost is £80 million, which includes almost £60 million in initial redress payments to cover approximately 6,600 redress claims. Each eligible person will receive a payment of £10,000, and a £2,000 payment will be made to each eligible family member on behalf of a loved one who has died since September 29, 2011.
A further Individually Assessed Payment (IAP) for the specific harm suffered by an individual will follow the public inquiry.
The First Minister and Deputy First Minister spoke to victims and survivors and thanked them for their tireless campaign for justice on the day the legislation was introduced, Monday, June 16.
“Today we have introduced legislation to establish an Inquiry into Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses; and an associated redress scheme," First Minister Michelle O'Neill said.
"These institutions and practices were a product of systemic misogyny. The regime inflicted on women and girls, many while heavily pregnant, was appalling and constituted cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.
"Today, we must also acknowledge that not only did women have their rights grossly denied within these institutions, so too did their children, now adults. They too were failed on every level.
"We hope this legislation demonstrates our sincere commitment to respecting and fulfilling the wishes of those who for many decades have suffered and been silenced. We want to thank those all who have long campaigned for justice and for all their assistance in helping us to reach this point.”
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said: “We deeply regret the pain and suffering of victims and survivors and today is a testament to their courage as we introduce this important and significant legislation.
"We know how long they have waited for answers and I hope they see this legislation as an important stage in the process as we seek to uncover the truth and hold those responsible to account.
“We remain committed to addressing this dark period of our past and we want to encourage everyone affected to come forward and be heard.”
The Northern Ireland Executive notes that victims and survivors can access comprehensive support services, which include general and individualised support, here: Emotional Support for Victims and Survivors of Mother & Baby Homes and Magdalene Laundry Institutions - Victims and Survivors Service.
Commenting on the introduction of the legislation this week, Andrew Walker, CEO Victims and Survivors Service, said: “VSS will continue to work with our community partners, WAVE Trauma Centre and Adopt NI to support those impacted. I would encourage anyone who needs support to contact us at the Victims and Survivors Service.”
Background of the new legislation
The new legislations accompanying explanatory memorandum notes that the inquiry into Historical Institutional Abuse (2013-17) focused on residential institutions for children and, therefore, did not fully consider women and girls in Mother and Baby Institutions and Magdalene Laundries or children, now adults, born to these women and girls.
In 2018, on behalf of the Executive, the Department of Health commissioned a team from Queen’s and Ulster Universities to research the operation of Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and pre 1948 Workhouses.
In January 2021, following publication of the Mother and Baby Homes and Magdalene Laundries in Northern Ireland, 1922-1990 report (the QUB/UU research), the Executive agreed to commission an independent examination of how to take forward the findings of the research recognising that, although it revealed much about the experiences, much remained unknown.
In March 2021, the Minister of Health established a Truth Recovery Design Panel (TRDP) which worked with victims and survivors to develop recommendations for an independent investigation and wider process relating to Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses.
In October 2021, the TRDP published its report entitled ‘Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses in Northern Ireland - Truth, Acknowledgement, and Accountability’ (‘the Report’) which set out five core recommendations.
They are: Adoption of Guiding Principles; Responsibilities of The Executive Office; An Integrated Truth Investigation; Access to Records; and Redress, Reparation and Compensation.
In November 2021, the Northern Ireland Executive accepted the five core recommendations of the report.
While progress has been made on the accepted recommendations, the legislation introduced this week seeks to progress the establishment of a statutory public inquiry and the establishment of a statutory financial redress scheme.
Late last year, the Northern Ireland Executive Office conducted a public consultation on proposals to set up a statutory Public Inquiry for those affected by Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries, Workhouses, and their pathways and practices; and a Financial Redress Scheme.
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