Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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239. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she has engaged with the industrial school survivors who are on hunger strike; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56394/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that I, and officials from my department, have engaged with members of the group referred to by the Deputy. I met with the group personally on Monday 29 September.

They recounted to me their traumatic experiences as children in residential institutions and also outlined their concerns regarding the further supports to be provided to survivors under the Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Act 2025, which completed its passage through the Oireachtas in July. While I acknowledged that the Act does not go as far as they would wish, as it has completed its passage through the Oireachtas, Government is not in a position to revisit the Act and that the focus is now on implementing the supports for which it provides.

However, there were a number of issues raised at the meeting, including memorialisation, records, exam certification and the removal of criminal records, which I have asked my officials to look into further.

At the meeting, I expressed my serious concern for their health and wellbeing and asked that they reconsider their action in the interest of their physical and mental health. I wrote to the group on Wednesday 1 October to outline the position with regard to the Act and to respectfully urge them to safeguard their health.

The Taoiseach met directly with members of the group on Friday 3 October and I wrote to the group again on both 4 and 13 October.

I would also note that officials from my Department have been in ongoing engagement with the group, as has the Special Advocate for Survivors, Ms Patricia Carey.

At all times, my primary concern has been that the group should safeguard their ongoing physical and mental health, and they have consistently and respectfully been urged to do so. In that regard, following my engagement with the HSE, I am also aware that the HSE and National Ambulance Service has been undertaking periodic checks on their health and welfare, in so far as this is possible given their setting.

In addition, and in the context of the severe weather warnings issued by Met Éireann for 3 and 4 October, my Department offered to source accommodation for the group to safeguard their wellbeing during that period, but this offer was turned down.