First Minister Michelle O’Neill confirmed to the Assembly that a payment has been received from the Good Shepherd Sisters with another from Barnardo’s expected imminently.
Ms O’Neill said engagement is continuing with four other institutions and appealed for them to “do the right thing” and come forward to make payments.
The Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry (HIAI), led by Sir Anthony Hart, revealed in 2107 the extent of sexual, physical and emotional abuse at homes run by the state, church and charities from 1922 to 1995.
It recommended that a redress board should be set up for victims. Since 2020, a total of 4,333 applications have been received and almost £85 million awarded.
The board will receive applications for redress for another year, to April 2 2025.
The HIAI also recommended that any voluntary institution found by the inquiry to have been guilty of systemic failings should be asked to make an appropriate financial contribution to the overall cost of the redress board and any specialist support services.
Compensation received by victims is not linked to contributions made by institutions.
However, some victims and survivors have called on the institutions to make the payments to reflect the harm done through abuse and acknowledge their pain and suffering.
There have been negotiations with six institutions for several years over contributions led by independent facilitator Paul Sweeney.
Ms O’Neill told the Assembly: “I am pleased to confirm that we have agreed contributions towards the cost of the redress scheme from two of the institutions based on compensation paid to date.
“A payment has been received from the Good Shepherd Sisters and our officials are engaging with Barnardo’s in respect of their payment which we are expecting imminently.
“We have listened to the victims and survivors and we know that for many contributions from institutions are an important matter of accountability.”
She added: “Engagement is ongoing with the other four institutions on appropriate contributions to the cost of redress and specialist support services.
“We will continue our discussions with the Good Shepherd Sisters and Barnardo’s on a final payment following the closure of the redress scheme.
“The value of the total contributions will not be known until all applications made to the HIA redress board by the closing date of April 2 next year have been determined.”
The First Minister agreed with a suggestion from DUP MLA Stephen Dunne that other institutions should now come forward to make contributions.
She said: “We have these two contributions now secured and it is important that we move and that the others institutions step forward and pay their contribution.
“This is so important in terms of what’s expected from the victims and survivors themselves.
“This is part of the healing process, this is about these institutions doing the right thing and actually stepping forward.”