The trauma endured by victims should be recognised, the head of the inquiry into historical institutional child abuse in Northern Ireland has said.
Retired judge Sir Anthony Hart, pictured, said despite the inquiry not being finished it, was clear payments to victims would be appropriate.
The inquiry, one of the largest into harm to children at homes run by the church, state and voluntary organisations, was formally established in January 2013 by the Northern Ireland Executive to investigate child abuse which occurred in residential institutions over a 73-year period from 1922 to 1995.
While the inquiry's investigative work is not scheduled to finish until next summer, with a report due to be submitted to Stormont ministers the following year, Sir Anthony said he was already in a position to recommend compensation.
"Because our investigations are not complete we are not yet in a position to say what our findings of systemic failings will be, or what all our recommendations will be," he said.
"However, what we can now say is that from the evidence we have heard so far we will recommend that there should be a scheme to award financial compensation to those children who suffered abuse in children's homes and other institutions in Northern Ireland between 1922 and 1995."
He has also announced a further six institutions that will be investigated by the inquiry, bringing the total number to 22.
Manor House (a children's home near Lisburn); Millisle Borstal; St Joseph's Training School for Girls (at Middletown, Co Armagh); and three Good Shepherd convents at Londonderry, Belfast and Newry, have all been added.
He added: "Any recommendations that we make for any form of redress, including compensation, will apply to any person who was abused within a children's home or other institution within our terms of reference, whether or not that home or institution was investigated by the inquiry."
Sir Anthony emphasised that the final decision on whether compensation would be paid did not rest with the inquiry.
"Although our terms of reference provide that the inquiry will make recommendations and findings on a number of matters, the final decision as to whether there should be any form of redress, and what form it may take, are matters for the Northern Ireland Executive to decide," he said.
Victims campaigners have called for interim compensation payments to be offered before the inquiry is completed, highlighting the age of many of those who suffered abuse.
Stormont's Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister has not commented on the call for interim pay-outs.