Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)

I want to speak to the Taoiseach today about the four people who were on hunger strike for 50 days until 10 November. He met with them, and an agreement was reached. He signed the letter outlining the promises that the Government has made to these survivors who were wronged in childhood and are continually wronged in adulthood. Three and a half weeks have passed. There is a new Minister for Education and Youth, and the survivors have written to the Minister asking for a meeting and for the supports to start, but nothing has progressed. The Minister told them that she is not available to meet them until January. I have been notified, as has the Department of Education and Youth, that these people will resume their hunger strike. They are still recovering from the previous strike, and they are still not able to eat properly. Will the Taoiseach and Minister for Education and Youth commit today to meeting with the survivors immediately - not before Christmas but immediately - and ensure that these promises in the letter he signed will be delivered with haste and without further delay?

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