To ask the Minister of Justice for an update on the Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme, including the likely date of commencement.

My Department advanced the work necessary to enable the Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme to open for applications in line with the target date of March 2021. That included: development of an IT system to accept on-line applications; engagement with organisations who will provide supporting evidence; recruitment of administrative staff; and engagement of Capita to design a medical assessment service to assess the level of permanent disablement for applicants, where relevant. The Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission also completed the appointment of members to the Victims’ Payments Board.

Opening the Scheme was envisaged to be a two stage process with design of the medical assessment service continuing in parallel with applicants preparing their documentation. However, following consultation with the main groups representing victims and survivors of the Troubles, Mr Justice McAlinden, President of the Victims’ Payments Board, indicated their preference for guidance on the medical assessment service to be available to applicants in advance of the scheme opening for applications, allowing a single stage process.

Development of the medical assessment guidance is ongoing. It will be a matter for the President and the Victims’ Payments Board to confirm when the scheme will open for applications. However, the President has ensured that the main groups representing victims and survivors have been kept updated on progress.