To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the average time taken from initial application to the completion of Step 6: Notice of Determination to applicant by the Victims Payment Board in relation to the Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme process.

The Victims’ Payments Board (VPB) has advised that the average time taken from submission of an application to notice of determination to applicant is currently in the region of 400 days.

It is important to recognise that every application received is different in nature and is considered on its own merits by the Board. Cases can also be adjourned for further information / evidence gathering to provide applicants (or their representative) with an opportunity to comment on specific issues or as a result of engaging with applicants (or their representative) to agree a date suitable to all parties for a face-to-face hearing where required.

The VPB is continuing to review and improve its internal processes and information sharing with stakeholders in order to reduce the average time in relation to each step of the process for assessing applications.