A new service for supporting victims of the Northern Ireland conflict is to be established.
A group was set up to identify the changing needs of survivors.
Overseeing groups which deal with post-traumatic stress or provide training for people who befriend others suffering from the effects of the conflict are among the tasks facing the Victims and Survivors’ Service.
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said: “We want to ensure that our new Victims and Survivors Service is fit for purpose and will deliver for those most affected by our past.”
A steering group has been put together to oversee the design and implementation of the new service. Groups will be convened to take forward work on individual assessments, organisational structure, standards, service delivery, management information systems, victims groups and communication.
Mr McGuinness added: “We do not underestimate the scale of the challenge ahead of us but feel that we have the correct structures in place to rise to it and take forward this important piece of work.”
A Victims and Survivors’ Service would process applications for funding from victims’ groups while talking to them about their needs. It would direct groups towards other services and grants and keep information useful to the Victims’ Commission and the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM).
An earlier OFMDFM consultation paper on the issue said: “We believe that an opportunity now exists to deliver a more coordinated response to the needs of victims and survivors by harnessing all of the skills, talents and experience built up over the past number of years.
“A properly funded and managed service based on clearly identified needs has the potential to make a real difference to the lives of victims and survivors.
“A service built on these principles should also allow us to measure the impact that we are having both at an individual and societal level.”
PA