Relatives of those killed or injured during the Troubles must receive financial and psychological support, a report published today recommends.
Bertha McDougall, whose RUC husband was shot dead by the INLA in Belfast in 1981, says in her report that the current "unco-ordinated and piecemeal approach" to dealing with victims must be replaced.
In her role as interim victims commissioner she calls for the establishment of a new £8 million (€12.14 million) fund and the phasing out of the Northern Ireland Memorial Fund.
Under this new scheme, families bereaved before 1988 should receive annual payments of £2,000 (€3,030). A fund for the families of members of the Ulster Defence Regiment who were killed or injured is also recommended.
Ms McDougall was controversially appointed by Northern Secretary Peter Hain in December 2005, a decision now being investigated by the British attorney general.
About 90 per cent of victims of the Troubles were men and 75 per cent were under the age of 40. An estimated 40,000 to 50,000 people were injured, including members of the police and British army and civilians killed or injured by armed paramilitaries on all sides.
The plight of any of these has been forgotten, she reports.
She said support for the victims of the Troubles has been "fragmented" and needs co-ordination, as well as "sustainable funding". A lack of trust among victims in the statutory sector must also be overcome, she states.
"I have stated my view, and that of many in the sector, that funding has been insufficient. However, I have also pointed out that there is an issue of how effectively current funding is used." The means-tested annual payment of £2,000 will be available "to those in greatest need" who were bereaved before 1988. Spouses affected before this date are not eligible for the special financial allowance which was introduced for those affected after 1988.
"The current funding is not addressing a lot of the needs for people who were bereaved in the early years of the Troubles. This is an opportunity for victims and survivors and I want them to take this opportunity." In place of the memorial fund, which has been the subject of complaints about bureaucracy, the report puts forward a more flexible initiative. This will be allocated £8 million in the first year.
Defending a proposal to make special provision for UDR families, she says: "My report has been looking at individual victims . . . I am addressing the needs of everyone. I have said that I base this on need."
Northern Ireland's 10,000 carers also need financial recognition, she says. She recommends setting up a forum to deal with survivors' practical difficulties and address psychological issues.
With her interim appointment now having run its course, the British government has advertised for the permanent commissioner today and hopes to name a successful candidate to the £65,000 (€98,660) post by April.