First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly have welcomed the final report from the Truth Recovery Independent Panel, which examined Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries, Workhouses and related pathways and practices in Northern Ireland between 1922 and 1995.

First Minister Michelle O'Neill said: "This has been another significant week for victims and survivors, and for all those affected by Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries, Workhouses and related pathways and practices. I want to sincerely thank the Independent Panel, led by Co-Chairs Professor Leanne McCormick and Professor Sean O'Connell, for their dedication and commitment throughout this important work.

"We are deeply grateful to everyone who participated in the process. The report draws on 284 testimonies, including 238 gathered directly by the Panel. Many of these accounts describe deeply painful experiences that caused immense and lasting harm. We know this process has provided survivors with an opportunity to speak out, share their experiences and have their voices heard."

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said: "Today's publication marks a significant milestone, and I want to thank all 10 Panel members for the expertise and commitment they have brought to this work, particularly those with lived experience. I welcome the digitisation of almost 6,000 private records in conjunction with PRONI and the supported oral testimony process, which has enabled many people to share their experiences for the first time. "Last week, the Inquiry and Redress Scheme Bill completed its Final Stage in the Assembly, and today we have the publication of this landmark report. These are important steps towards truth, accountability and acknowledgement. I would like to thank victims and survivors once again for their courage, engagement and contribution to this process."

The Ministers noted that the report sets out recommendations to inform the forthcoming statutory public inquiry, as well as proposals for a range of organisations, including government departments. All recommendations will be carefully considered, and a co-ordinated response will follow in due course.

The non-statutory Independent Panel was appointed in April 2023 after the Executive accepted five recommendations from a Truth Recovery Design Panel to establish an integrated truth investigation. The ten-member Panel, co-chaired by Professor Leanne McCormick and Professor Sean O'Connell, included three victims and survivors with lived experience. Its work included digitising thousands of private records in partnership with PRONI and gathering 284 testimonies, 238 of them collected directly by the Panel. The final report is available at www.independentpanel.truthrecoveryni.co.uk/key-documents.

Victims and survivors can access a range of support services, including tailored emotional support already used by more than 600 people. Further information is available at www.victimsservice.org/mother-baby-institutions-magdalene-laundries-workhouses/.