HL Deb 11 April 2002 vol 633 cc130-2WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which organisations and groups benefited from the £18 million allocated as core funding for victims in response to the Bloomfield Report We will remember them (1998); by how much each group: and what are their geographical location and remit. [HL1387]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

Since 1998, government have £18.25 million to support victims of the Troubles. Of this, £3.1 million was initially allocated to core fund victims and survivors groups. The core funding scheme, which was introduced in January 2000 for a period of two years, is administered by the Northern Ireland Voluntary Trust (NIVT), which has recently published its annual report for 2001. This report details each core funding allocation to victims' groups as at 31 March 2001.

The details of grant allocations given in Annex A will vary from those in NIVT's annual report. Annex A gives total grant allocations as at 28 March 2002. Groups are still drawing down money from these allocations and amounts allocated are adjusted as projects progress.

Details of the geographical location and the main geographical area served by each group are also provided. However, groups may provide support to victims in areas outside those given.

In December 2001, Des Browne, Victims Minister, announced the allocation of a further £3 million to extend the core funding scheme. An evaluation of the scheme has recently been completed and a report will be published within the next few weeks. Decisions on arrangements for administering this further allocation will be guided by the findings of the evaluation.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the role and remit of the Northern Ireland Office Victims Liaison Unit; and what are its staffing levels and running costs. [HL3388]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The Victims Liaison Unit, established in 1998 to implement the recommendations of the Bloomfield Report, is responsible for the provision of core funding to victims support groups; management and provision of grant aid to the Northern Ireland Memorial Fund; prioritisation and allocation of central government funding for victims; and ensuring that all victims' issues which fall within the excepted and reserved fields in Northern Ireland are addressed.

The unit works in close partnership with the devolved administration's Victims Unit. This coordinated approach ensures the most effective support to victims of the Troubles.

At 25 March 2002, the staffing levels in the Victims Liaison Unit (incorporating the secretariat of the Northern Ireland Memorial Fund) are as follows:

  • 1 x Grade A (Principal Officer)
  • 2 x Grade B1 (Deputy Principal Officer)
  • 2 x Grade B2 (Staff Officer)
  • 2 x Grade C (Executive Officer)
  • 1 x Grade D1 (Administrative Officer) part-time
  • 8 Total

VICTIMS LIAISON UNIT ANNUAL RUNNING COSTS

The annual running costs for VLU are £309K.

Breakdown of figures:

  • Pay and Allowances = £275K*
  • Administrative costs = £34K

* This includes the costs of the secondment of two members of staff to the Grants Office of the Northern Ireland Memorial Fund.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the recommendation of the Victims Commissioner (Sir Kenneth Bloomfield) that there should be a comprehensive review of the "fitness for purpose" of criminal injuries compensation in serving the needs of victims of violence has been implemented and, if so, what has been the progress or result. [HL3392]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The recommendation led to an independent review of criminal injuries compensation carried out by Sir Kenneth Bloomfield. That review reported in 1999. In response to recommendations made by the review, the Government published in 2001 proposals for draft legislation. The Criminal Injuries Compensation (Northern Ireland) Order 2002 received Royal Assent on 26 March, and a draft scheme made under the order, which will introduce a tariff-based system of criminal injuries compensation, was laid before the House on 10 April.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the recommendation of the Victims Commissioner (Sir Kenneth Bloomfield) that in dealing with victims within the social security and other systems officials should be sensitive and understanding in their approach has been implemented; and, if so, what progress there has been. [HL3493]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The Northern Ireland Executive has taken the lead on the implementation of this recommendation, which focuses mainly on the areas of health and social security. In their draft programme for government, the devolved administration gave a commitment to put in place a cross departmental strategy to ensure the delivery of effective high quality services to victims of the Troubles. This strategy will be launced in the next few weeks.

A co-ordinated approach is vital to ensure the needs of victims are properly addressed, and the Victims Minister, Des Browne, meets regularly with the Ministers in the devolved administration. As implementation of the devolved administration's strategy proceeds, government will continue to review their approach to meeting victims' needs.