Patrick Costello
Question:217. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the specific supports available for victims of the Troubles resident in this State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41914/23]
View answerThursday, 28 September 2023
Questions (217, 218, 219)
Patrick Costello
Question:218. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice if his Department has studied polling (details supplied) reporting that 10% of the State’s population were victims of the Troubles; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41915/23]
View answerPatrick Costello
Question:219. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice if he will introduce a specific ‘Troubles pension’, similar to the one available to people in Northern Ireland and Britain. [41916/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 217, 218 and 219 together.
Last week the Commission for Victims and Survivors in Northern Ireland published survey results of attitudes here regarding the Troubles and people’s experiences of the Troubles. The findings offer an opportunity to explore the attitudes and perceptions of people impacted by the Troubles in this jurisdiction. I appreciate the extent to which those surveyed feel affected by the Troubles. It emphasises the fact that we live on an island, and that we share experiences with our neighbours. The Troubles were not just an issue for Northern Ireland but which affected many on this island.
Successive Irish governments have consistently sought to acknowledge and address the legitimate needs and expectations of victims’ families and survivors of Troubles-related attacks in this jurisdiction. A substantive measure in this regard was the establishment of the Remembrance Commission in 2003, to administer a Scheme of acknowledgment, assistance and remembrance for victims of the Northern Ireland conflict, and their families, in this jurisdiction. In total over €6.5 million was distributed. This included payments for individuals and their families, as well as funding for particular memorials such as for the Miami Showband shootings and the Belturbet bombing, and broader funding for victim supports.
On the conclusion of the Commission's term of appointment in 2008, special arrangements were made to ensure that victims resident in the jurisdiction who require on-going medical treatment for injuries sustained in Troubles incidents may have certain costs reimbursed through the Department of Justice. These arrangements continue today.
As well as the specific supports provided via the Remembrance Commission, other forms of supports have been made available such as via the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal which makes awards to people who have suffered an injury sustained within the State on or after 1st October, 1972. The Tribunal considers applications from people who suffer a personal injury or death as a result of a crime of violence.
The Reconciliation Fund, operated by the Department of Foreign Affairs, provides grant support to organisations working with victims and survivors of the Troubles which promote reconciliation.
The Government continues to show its commitment to the families of the Disappeared via the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains. The Commission was established by the Governments of Ireland and the UK following the Good Friday Agreement and is responsible for facilitating the location of the remains of victims of paramilitary violence who were murdered and secretly buried arising from the conflict in Northern Ireland. The Commission has been successful in its endeavours and there are currently four remaining "disappeared" who are still to be located - Joe Lynskey, Robert Nairac, Columba McVeigh and Seamus Maguire. The Government remains committed to this work and finding the remaining disappeared. The Commission is currently carrying out a sixth search at Bragan bog for the remains of Columba McVeigh.
Irish Departments have also provided co-funding for projects under the EU PEACE programmes, which aim to support peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland. Provision of funding will continue under the PEACE PLUS Programme (2021-2027) and will help build on the good work that takes place supporting victims and survivors in both Northern Ireland and in this jurisdiction.
Question No. 218 answered with Question No. 217.
Question No. 219 answered with Question No. 217.