THE Executive Office (TEO) has yet to begin the process of appointing a new victims and survivors commissioner five months on from Judith Thompson's departure.
The delay in beginning the recruitment process has been described by the SDLP's Dolores Kelly as "disgraceful".
Ms Thompson's four-year term had been extended by 12 months in September 2019 by the Northern Ireland Office in the absence of the devolved institutions.
But despite offering to serve another year, the first and deputy first minister chose to let her go.
In response to an oral assembly question from Mrs Kelly on Monday, Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said she and First Minister Arlene Foster had initiated a review of the Commission for Victims and Survivors and were "considering its terms of reference".
She said officials had also undertaken the necessary paperwork to begin the process for recruiting a new commissioner and she and Mrs Foster would consider this documentation over the coming week.
Ms O'Neill added that interim arrangements were in place that "allow the provision of continued support for victims and survivors".
Mrs Kelly acknowledged that the Covid-19 pandemic had impacted on TEO's capabilities but said it was nonetheless "disgraceful how they’ve pushed this issue to the bottom of their priorities".
"We were told in August of last year that the joint first ministers wanted to review the remit of the office but now Michelle O’Neill has admitted that they haven’t even agreed terms of reference for that review, nor have they started a recruitment process to find a new victims' commissioner," the Upper Bann MLA said.
“They had the option of extending the victims commissioner’s post while a review took place... instead victims and survivors were left with no advocate at a critical time in the campaign for a pension for the severely disabled."
