Minutes of The Victims and Survivors Service (VSS) Board Meeting No 121

Board Meeting Type: Strategic Board Session      

Thursday 12 February 2026 at 10.00am (Members only) and 10.30am (All attendees)

Seatem House, Belfast

Board Members Present:

Brian Gilfedder (BG)                        Board Member (Meeting Chair)

Catriona MacArthur (CMA)             Board Member

Sandra Horley (SH)                        Board Member

John Cahill (JC)                              Board Member

VSS Officers in Attendance:

Andrew Walker (AW) Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Nicola Nugent (NN)                         Head of Health and Wellbeing

Emma Dargan (ED)                         Head of Community Partnership (minutes)

Guests – Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR)

Louse Warde Hunter                       Chief Executive and Commissioner

Dr Lesley Carroll                              Assistant Commissioner

Deborah Howe                                 Head of Engagement

A   Welcome and Introductions

The Chair welcomed all present to the meeting.

B   Update from The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR)

The Board received an overview of the ICRIR’s statutory powers, duties, and independent status, alongside an update from the senior leadership team.

The Board was advised of current caseload figures, with 249 recorded cases and 113 live investigations as of 31 December 2025, and the ongoing role of VSS‑funded advocacy organisations in supporting Requesting Individuals.

The Commission confirmed that the TRIM model is fully embedded across its operations and outlined the three investigative stages of Support, Information Recovery and Findings.

Current witness appeals were highlighted, and the Board was updated on the relevant legal context, including the Dillon judgment and anticipated legislative developments. The Commission reaffirmed its approach to promoting reconciliation through information recovery, acknowledgement, and sensitive case support.

A Q&A and discussion between VSS Board, SMT and Commission representatives followed.

Commission representatives left the meeting.

D Conflict of Interest

No Conflicts of Interest were noted.

E Minutes of Previous Meeting – 21 January 2026

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 21 January 2026 were approved.

AW presented several options for the future format of the minutes. While it remains essential to record key actions and Board decisions, the minutes should provide a clear and concise summary of the meeting. AW shared examples of Departmental Board minutes to illustrate this approach. The Board agreed that this style should be adopted going forward

F CEO Update (Verbal)

AW provided a verbal update on key activities

Victims Support Programme 2026 -28 Call Assessment

The assessment process is progressing well.  All applications have now been scored.  6 applications were unsuccessful because they did not meet the minimum threshold for funding. These decisions have been communicated to applicants.  Four appeals were submitted.  All four appeals were rejected (original decisions upheld).

The successful applications are now progressing through a Value for Money assessment.

It is anticipated that a range of allocation options will be presented to Board members at the next Board meeting, scheduled for 19 March 2026, when final allocation decisions will be made.

Allocations will be formally communicated to applicants by the end of March 2026.

HIA Memorial Event

A memorial plaque for victims and survivors of historical institutional abuse will be unveiled at a ceremony in Stormont on Friday 20 February 2026

AW and NN will be in attendance.  VSS Board will also be represented.

Regional Trauma Network (RTN)

The three‑year pilot phase of the RTN is due to end in March 2026.  A review will undertaken with the aim of making recommendations on the future of the network.

It is anticipated that this review will take place during spring/summer, with a report expected in autumn.

VSS will be engaging with the reviewer throughout this period.

G         Date of Next Meeting

The next Board meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday 19 March 2026. It was agreed to extend the time of the meeting to 3pm to allow time for the consideration of VSP allocation options.

H         AOB

A discussion arose on VSS Board engagement with TEO, specifically with respect to Board appointments and Board remuneration.  It was agreed that the Board would write to TEO again on these matters.