Funding for Victims Report

Acknowledging the legacy of hurt and suffering as a result of the conflict in Northern Ireland over more than forty years, Mrs McDougall has presented a range of recommendations she believes will make a positive impact on the quality of life for Victims and Survivors in the future.

“It is neither fair nor accurate to measure the cost of the Troubles in purely financial terms whether it be funding or service provision. The real cost needs to be considered within the context of human suffering and the physical, emotional and psychological trauma inflicted on individuals and society as a whole,” she comments.

“Better definition and identification of need coupled with co-ordinated implementation of services and appropriate funding are at the core of my recommendations,” said Mrs McDougall.

Mrs McDougall noted that to date there have been many Government initiatives in relation to victims and survivors issues but these have been fragmented and lacked a strategic approach.

Calling on Government to implement the recommendations as soon as possible she has called for specific action in each of the three areas she was tasked with reviewing:

Funding:

• The phasing out of the Memorial Fund by 2007 and the implementation of a flexible new fund to be allocated £8m in the first year
• The implementation of an annual payment of £2,000 to spouses bereaved prior to 1988 based on greatest need but not affecting benefits
• The development of a new Core Funding and Development Scheme for groups to ensure sustainability.

Services:

• Services need to be brought under NHS responsibility through the implementation of the Bamford review on mental health provision.
• GP training is provided to assist in the screening for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
• All counselling services for Victims & Survivors are accredited to recognised standards – British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy or Irish Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Forum:

• There is widespread support for the establishment of a Forum for Victims & Survivors
• Initially a Forum should be an integral part of the office of the Commissioner for Victims & Survivors, assisted and facilitated by the Commissioner, and progressing to a fully independent round table.
• The Forum could deal initially with practical issues when victims and survivors are ready and may go on to deal with issues from the past.

“Lives have been irretrievably broken and damaged as a result of the conflict. Many of those injured still live in constant pain, while others depend on family members who lovingly and consistently provide them with practical support and care without complaint or regard to personal cost and the loneliness of caring. These are the silent victims of the Troubles, not reflected in the Government statistics.

We need to be more flexible and recognise that the circumstances affecting each victim or survivor are individual to them and must be treated as such. In addressing all of my recommendations I acknowledge that time will be needed for their implementation.

However I believe that for each individual victim and survivor the full implementation of this report will improve the practical provision; enable sustained financial provision for those with the greatest need; co-ordinate the delivery of health-related services; provide continued support through the on-going work of the groups and acknowledge and recognise individual experiences, issues and ways of dealing with the past, through the setting up of the Forum.”

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