It is shameful that it took a hunger strike by survivors of industrial and reformatory schools to extract a State apology from the government, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins.<\/p>\n
Deputy Cummins said:<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile it is welcome that the Taoiseach has agreed to make a formal apology in the D\u00e1il, this is the very least that survivors of systematic institutional abuse deserve.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis has come about because of a 51-day hunger strike by five survivors, whose resilience, dignity and determination deeply moved people across the country late last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is scandalous that a group of people who have already suffered so much should have to resort to such drastic measures simply to have their voices acknowledged by the State. The government eventually agreed to meet their reasonable demands for health, housing and financial supports \u2013 but only after they put their lives on the line by commencing a long hunger strike.<\/p>\n
\u201cQuestions still remain as to why it took the government so long to vindicate the rights of survivors of industrial and reformatory schools.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis must mark a turning point in how the State treats survivors of industrial and reformatory schools \u2013 cruel institutions that will forever be a stain on our history.<\/p>\n
\u201cI commend the five survivors for their relentless pursuit of justice and hope the formal apology from the Taoiseach brings them some closure and peace.\u201d<\/p>\n
January 28, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It is shameful that it took a hunger strike by survivors of industrial and reformatory schools to extract a State apology from the government, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: \u201cWhile it is welcome that the Taoiseach has agreed to make a formal apology in the D\u00e1il, this is the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":12900,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[218,801,581,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15163","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education","category-industrial-schools","category-jen-cummins","category-press-release"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n