Judicial Communications Office
27 April 2021
TROUBLES PERMANENT DISABLEMENT PAYMENT SCHEME TO OPEN ON 30 JUNE
Mr Justice McAlinden, President of the Victims’ Payments Board, has today announced his intention to open the Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme for applications from 30 June 2021.
The Victims’ Payments Board will be responsible for determining who is entitled to payment in respect of an injury caused by a Troubles-related incident. The framework on entitlement is set out in the Victims’ Payments Regulations 2020, which establish the Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme, and the Secretary of State’s Guidance which was published on 14 August 2020.
Mr Justice McAlinden was appointed by the Lord Chief Justice as President of the Victims’ Payments Board on 1 March 2021. Twenty-six legal, medical and ordinary members of the Board have also been sworn into office.
In a statement, Mr Justice McAlinden said:
“I am delighted to announce that it is my intention that the Troubles Permanent Disablement Payments Scheme will open for applications from 30 June. As President I have worked closely with the recently appointed Board members and the team established by the Department of Justice to develop the administrative arrangements for the payment scheme.
I have also held a number of constructive meetings with representatives from the main groups supporting the victims of the Troubles. This has helped to establish positive working relationships which should enable victims to have trust in the Board. The many victims deserve the recognition and payments to which they are entitled. The recent Court of Appeal decisions made it clear that the Executive Office was under a legal duty to make these payments and I am encouraged of the work carried out to ensure the full implementation of the scheme which the legislation envisages.”
Further information will be made available in due course on the Victims’ Payments Board website.
Anyone wishing to register an interest in the scheme can do so by emailing vpsqueries@justice-ni.gov.uk.
