New HIA support service launches but campaigners say wait was 'too long'

A new support service for victims and survivors who suffered abuse as children in residential institutions has launched today (Tuesday) in Northern Ireland.

It will respond to individual requests for assistance such as welfare advice, health and wellbeing, social support and information.

It will run under the Victims and Survivors Service (VSS), which looks after victims of the Troubles.

Stormont Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said: "We will be launching the service and it will build on what has already been achieved for HIA victims and survivors.''

It will cover areas such as counselling.

She added: "This is another milestone in the implementation of the Hart report.''

But some campaigners say the service is too little too late.

Margaret McGukin from the group SAVIA said: "It's been a long time coming, this should have been launched back in June. Too many people have passed away to receive any type of care or support. It's been a fight every step of the way.

She told Downtown/Cool FM the Executive would not be receiving a round of applause from campaigners.

"I believe at this stage, people are really past caring about these services as they've been let down too often."

The Hart report was the culmination of the Historical Institutional Abuse (HIA) public inquiry which examined historical allegations of child abuse at 22 residential institutions run by religious, charitable and state organisations across Northern Ireland over a 73-year period.

The HIA Support Service will be based in Belfast and will cover all parts of Northern Ireland.

A separate redress board headed by the High Court judge Adrian Colton, which oversees the compensation scheme, has so far made 219 final determinations on applications, Ms O'Neill said.

Millions of pounds have been paid out.

The scheme became operational at the end of March when a redress board was established as part of recommendations made in the HIA inquiry.

The HIA inquiry called for payments ranging from £7,500 to £100,000.

Thousands of victims are believed to be eligible.