To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister whether the administrative preparations are complete for the appointment of a Commissioner for Victims and Survivors.

Mrs O'Neill

Ensuring that the needs of victims and survivors continue to be met in the most effective and appropriate manner remains a key priority for the Executive. The role of the commissioner is critical in supporting that work, by ensuring that victims and survivors have a strong and independent voice and contributing to the development of policy so that their longer-term needs are addressed. We are therefore keen that a new commissioner is appointed as soon as possible, and our officials continue to progress the administrative preparations required for the recruitment competition to appoint the new commissioner. The appointment process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments (CPANI), and we estimate that the whole process will take approximately six months.

Mrs Dillon

I thank the First Minister for her responses so far. Will she provide an update on when a new chair and members will be appointed to the board of the Victims and Survivors Service (VSS)?

Mrs O'Neill

The current board's second term ended on 31 March 2024. Along with a board member, officials are considering interim arrangements should the chair position be vacant for a period of time. A competition to fill the vacancies was launched on 15 January and closed to applications on 2 February. Although the VSS is not a regulated body under the CPANI guidelines, the appointment process is being undertaken in the spirit of the code. It is hoped that the new chair and members will be announced very shortly.