As the Deputy will be aware, on 27 June 2023 Government approved proposals for the provision of a package of ongoing supports to survivors, which is comprised of a number of elements, including health, education, and advocacy supports. While I would acknowledge that this might not fully meet the expectations of some survivors, I believe that it is a balanced and proportionate package of supports which will address many of the key concerns identified during the consultation process with survivors.
The delivery of both the health and education supports will require the passage of the legislation, the General Scheme of which was published and referred to the relevant Committee for Pre-Legislative Scrutiny (PLS) in September 2023. The Committee’s PLS Report was received by my Department in December 2023.
My Department is working closely with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel on finalising the Bill and it is intended to progress the preparation of the legislation as quickly as possible to enable its passage in the first half of 2024.
With regard to advocacy supports, my Department has engaged Sage Advocacy, an independent advocacy organisation with a strong track record in providing advocacy supports to vulnerable adults, older people and healthcare patients, to develop information, support and advocacy services for survivors to assist them in engaging with and accessing relevant services and supports. Sage Advocacy has already begun to roll out this service and will be engaging with relevant groups and organisations to promote awareness of its availability.
