Delays To Troubles Disability Payments Questioned

SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan has expressed concern over continued delays in the rollout of the Troubles Permanent Disability Payment scheme.

McCrossan revealed that 1,489 successful applicants had been identified as of early December 2023. He cited figures obtained from the First and deputy First Ministers, which showed average backdated payments of £42,633.73, lump sum payments of £43,044.81, and monthly payments of £414.41.

The MLA emphasised the need to expedite the process to ensure that eligible individuals receive the support they are entitled to without further delay. Mr McCrossan said: "While I welcome that nearly £70m has been paid out to successful applicants since the launch of the payment scheme, these latest figures show that this process is still moving far too slowly for victims. We have already seen a two-year extension to one element of the scheme, and so far less than a quarter of applications have been decided on, with over 10,000 applications received since August 2021.

"The people applying to this scheme have in some cases waited decades for much needed support and it's disappointing that many have become entangled in a drawn-out and complicated process when all they wanted was the compensation they are entitled to. Some applicants will have been through incredibly distressing experiences, suffering life-changing injuries as part of our troubled past and I have spoken to constituents who have described being retraumatised by this process, while others have felt valid applications have been refused unjustly.

"No victim should have to wait years to have their application heard due to the lengthy delays that have blighted the application process. They have waited long enough and it's imperative that the Executive works with the Payment Board to ensure that this scheme delivers for victims and that this process is brought to a conclusion as quickly as possible."