Troubles Pension: Ministers confirm Stormont will fund scheme
The scheme is estimated to cost £1.2 billion pounds over it's lifetime
Last updated 12th Apr 2021
The Stormont Executive has told the Court of Appeal today (Monday) that it will provide the necessary funding for the Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme.
However, Ministers have vowed to continue pushing the UK Government for more money to fund the scheme.
Payments will be made to those physically or psychologically injured during the conflict and the scheme is estimated to cost up to £1.2 billion pounds over its lifetime.
The first year’s bill will come in at around £30 million pounds.
While politicians continue to press the UK Government to inject additional cash into the Executive coffers to help cover the cost of the pension, Stormont has assured Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan and fellow Appeal court judges that it will be funded come what may.
“We will continue to progress financial discussions with the Westminster Government in the context of their funding responsibilities for the Scheme.”
In a joint statement, First Minister Arlene Foster, Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill, Justice Minister Naomi Long and Finance Minister Conor Murphy said: “The court has today accepted our undertaking that payments will be made to successful applicants under the Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme.
“We remain committed to delivering the scheme and are mindful of the needs of victims and survivors who will be recipients of the payment.
“This undertaking provides reassurance and confidence that payments will be made when they fall due under the terms of the scheme, regardless of where the funding comes from.
“We will continue to progress financial discussions with the Westminster Government in the context of their funding responsibilities for the Scheme.”
The Court of Appeal in Belfast had ruled that the Executive was under a legal duty to fund the payments, however it made no finding on the source of that funding.
Ms O’Neill had previously highlighted that the UK Government's own policy was to fund initiatives it legislated for.
However, the UK Government has repeatedly insisted that the Executive needs to pay for the scheme, stating that it was only legislated for at Westminster because the power sharing institutions were collapsed at the time.
The scheme was first delayed when Sinn Fein refused to designate a Stormont department to administer it, after objecting to Government eligibility criteria that excluded former paramilitaries convicted of causing serious harm.
Ms O'Neill eventually agreed to nominate a department last August following a highly critical court judgment that found she had been acting unlawfully.
The Commission for Victims and Survivors has today (Monday) welcomed the financial underpinning of the scheme.
The Commission said in a statement: “This has been a source of pain and frustration for too long and it is unfortunate that court proceedings were seemingly the only way to finally deliver on some element of recognition.
“Sadly, it has come too late for some and our thoughts are with the families for whom this news will likely be bittersweet.
“We hope this is the first step in properly addressing the past and the needs of people impacted by it.
“Now more than ever, it is imperative that everyone, from every corner of society, show renewed compassion, vigour and determination to this work.
“A sustainable peace is dependent on it.''
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Stormont responsible for Troubles payments, court rules
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