‘Ten years too long’ for Victims and Survivors – McGrath | Newry Times
SDLP Chair of the Executive Office Committee Colin McGrath MLA has said that ten years is far too long for some victims and survivors of historical institutional abuse to wait before their case is heard, following a presentation from Commissioner Fiona Ryan this week.
Mr McGrath said, “We welcomed the fact that a number of cases have been completed and some payments made as part of the HIA process.
“It was alarming to hear that if the process can only manage five to six hundred cases per year, with projections suggesting that there may be up to five thousand cases to be seen, this would mean it could take up to ten years before some people have their cases heard.
“Victims and survivors of HIA have been let down by the State when they should have been cared for.
“For too many years they have had their experience rejected and voices not heard, and it is only in the last number of years that their plight has been taken seriously, their voices heard and redress processes put in place.
“Whilst I welcome the progress to date it is not acceptable that some people may have to wait a decade to have their case heard.
“I will be writing to the Justice Minister to ask for an immediate assessment of the redress board procedures, to ensure a swift process for victims and survivors of HIA,” he added.
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Posted by NewryTimes News
on Apr 30 2021. Filed under Politics.
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