The IDWG was required as these areas fell outside the terms of reference of the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry.
Membership
The IDWG’s aims are set out in the Group’s Terms of Reference; seven of the nine NICS departments are members and it is independently chaired. It is jointly managed by the Department of Health (DoH) and meets as and when required but typically meets every three months.
The IDWG, in recognition of the sensitivity of these investigations, has ensured they are trauma- informed and the victim and survivor voice is heard via separate IDWG Reference Groups for Mother and Baby Homes, Magdalene Laundries and Historical Clerical Child Abuse.
Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes, Magdalene Laundries
This was led by DoH and completed in November 2021 when the NI Executive accepted and agreed to implement the recommendations of the Truth Recovery Design Panel. TEO is currently delivering Truth Recovery.
Investigation Historical Clerical Child Abuse
Research has been commissioned to examine the extent and systemic nature of Historical Clerical Child Abuse (HCCA) in Northern Ireland. The purpose of the research work is to enable the IDWG to provide informed, evidence-based recommendations to Ministers on any future action for an effective investigation into HCCA and possible remedies for victims. The research has been taken forward as three separate pieces of work.