AQO 2095/22-27

Miss Nuala McAllister
Alliance Party
North Belfast

Tabled Date: 29/05/2025
Answered On Date: 28/07/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an outline of the forthcoming legislation on Truth Recovery and Redress for Mother and Baby Institutions.

Answer:

We met with a delegation of victims and survivors from the Consultation Forum in advance of the introduction of the Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill on 16 June 2025.

The Bill completed its Second Stage on 24 June 2025 and began its Committee Stage the following day.

This Bill represents a significant milestone – it will help to support truth, acknowledgement and accountability for victims and survivors. This legislation will establish an independent statutory inquiry with significant powers, and secondly, it will provide an initial redress payment to thousands of victims and survivors.

This is a complex and sensitive piece of legislation, with many constraints and often differing views to balance in the decision-making process.

There has been constructive engagement with the Executive Office Committee, and we look forward to supporting them in their important scrutiny role.

We appreciate the Member has been involved in this work, and we would be happy for our officials to provide a dedicated briefing on the legislation.