Debate contribution: Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill
Debate contribution by Ms Joanne Bunting on .
- MLA
- Ms Joanne Bunting
- Party at the time
- Democratic Unionist Party
- Date
- 2 March 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5432672
Read the official Assembly record
Text
We are building on the strong and well-respected foundations laid by the historical institutional abuse process, in which over 5,000 people received financial redress. The learning from that experience has directly shaped the development of the new redress scheme. One of the strengths of the HIA process was the commitment and expertise of the staff involved. We are carrying that forward by ensuring that experienced, specialist teams are in place from the outset. They will be people who understand the sensitivity and complexity of the work. Given what people have been through already, that is important. Above all, the central lesson has been the value of keeping victims and survivors at the heart of every stage. That remains our guiding principle as we deliver the scheme. With that in mind, I pay tribute to the team that works on truth recovery. Its members are absolutely dedicated to the work, and they engage frequently with victims and survivors.
157 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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