AQW 10502/22-27

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 19/04/2024
Answered On Date: 30/04/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister on what date, at the latest, an Interim Advocate for Victims and Survivors of the Mother and Baby Homes, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses will be in post.

Answer:

There is currently no date for an Interim Advocate to be appointed.

As per the recent response to AQW 9733/22-27, the Truth Recovery Design Panel Report did not recommend a dedicated Advocate role. Instead, a series of advocacy interventions have included dedicated and specialist support services, the monthly Victim and Survivor Consultation Forum (with an Independent Chair) and the Independent Panel Victim and Survivor Representatives.

While there is no immediate plan to appoint a single Advocate role, there is currently a series of workshops underway with Consultation Forum members which include views on advocacy. On completion of this there will be opportunity to consider how the current advocacy model may be enhanced.