The Social Democrats have urged the Taoiseach to personally intervene to end the ongoing hunger strike by survivors of institutional abuse, which has now entered its 45th day.
Deputy Jen Cummins, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said:
“I have written to the Taoiseach on behalf of the parliamentary party to express our deep alarm and outrage at the lack of progress by the government in resolving this issue. It is beyond comprehension that, in 2025, people who have already endured some of the darkest chapters in our State’s history are now risking their lives simply to be heard.
“It is completely unacceptable that a planned meeting with the hunger strikers, which was to be held on Monday, has now been postponed until Wednesday. Given that these individuals have now gone without food for such a long time, every single day is crucial to their health – there is simply no time to lose.
“These survivors carry the physical and emotional scars of a system that betrayed them. Their decision to undertake a hunger strike is a desperate act, born out of years of frustration, neglect, and bureaucratic indifference.
“No just society should ever allow its most vulnerable to reach such a point of despair.
“We now need decisive action by the government. These survivors deserve a clear acknowledgment of the State’s failings, a Health Amendment Act (HAA) card and a contributory pension in recognition of what happened to them in their childhood – and the consequences it had for the rest of their lives.
“We are now urging the Taoiseach to personally intervene and meet with survivors and their representatives. The government must ensure there is a compassionate, coordinated response to their asks without further delay.
“The State cannot look away while those who survived these brutal institutions are forced to suffer once more.”
November 4, 2025