Victims: Pensions

Oral Answers to Questions — Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister – in the Northern Ireland Assembly at 2:15 pm on 16 February 2015.

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Photo of Brenda Hale Brenda Hale DUP 2:15, 16 February 2015

4. Mrs Hale asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister if they intend to provide severely injured victims with a pension. (AQO 7566/11-15)

Photo of Peter Robinson Peter Robinson DUP

The Stormont House Agreement sets out our commitment to look at the proposal for a pension for physically injured victims. Significant background work has already been completed on many elements of a proposed pension. The Victims' Commission has been tasked with providing a research report on the issues, and that has now been received by us. However, the report did not deal with eligibility, other than to look at types and levels of injury. That matter remains outstanding, and it is likely that it will be challenging to find consensus on it. Officials in our Department are considering all the issues that need to be addressed in relation to the introduction of a proposal for a pension for severely physically injured victims.

Photo of Brenda Hale Brenda Hale DUP

I thank the First Minister for his answer. First Minister, you are aware that many of the injured victims are now elderly, so this has become urgent. You will also be aware of my private Member's Bill on the issue. Can you give an assurance that your Department will work collaboratively with me on the case?

Photo of Peter Robinson Peter Robinson DUP

Yes, I am aware of the details set out by the Member, and I commend her for her initiative in bringing forward a private Member's Bill. Knowing her background, I know that she feels very strongly about these issues and is keen to do everything that she can to assist. I do not expect anything less from the officials in OFMDFM. Obviously, there are political issues that they will not involve themselves in, but the Department will, of course, cooperate in any way that it can on the background information that she needs for her Bill.

Photo of Ross Hussey Ross Hussey UUP

I thank the First Minister for his response. I, too, like members of my party, am very concerned to see that people who were injured as a result of terrorist activity are compensated through a pension. How many people have been identified in the initial soundings as requiring a pension?

Photo of Peter Robinson Peter Robinson DUP

I received a delegation some months ago, and I suspect that its figures were right at that time. Somewhere in the region of 300 to 350 people were considered to be likely and eligible, if the criteria were similar to what was initially set out in the consultation document put forward by my friend.

Photo of Jim Allister Jim Allister Traditional Unionist Voice

It is clear from what the First Minister says that the stumbling block is the present obscene definition of "victim". Can the First Minister give an assurance that there are no circumstances in which a victim-maker who injured himself or herself in the pursuit of terrorism will ever qualify for a pension such as is being discussed here?

Photo of Peter Robinson Peter Robinson DUP

I think that we need to be careful that we do not create a problem for the Bill as it might come forward. The issue will not be the definition of "victim". The issue will be about the eligibility criteria that are set down. There are tens of thousands of victims, and only 300 to 350 of those are likely to be entitled. It is those who are defined, even under existing law, as being victims who are eligible to go forward for the pension. I think that the consultation document that my friend has already published indicates the view that we take on those matters. There are others who have another view, and clearly the Assembly is going to have to decide on that, but I have no doubt that the Member and I will probably be in the same Lobby on the issue.