Survivors of industrial and reformatory schools say they will continue their hunger strike outside Dáil Éireann.
The four protestors, who range in age from 57 to 73, are now on their 20th day of a hunger strike and they’ve also been sleeping in a tent outside Leinster House.
They say they will continue this action until their contributory pension and medical card demands are met.
Maurice Patton O’Connell, Miriam Moriarty Owens and Mary Donovan were child inmates of Pembroke Alms Industrial School in Tralee, while Mary Dunlevy Greene attended an industrial school in Limerick.
Their demands include the provision of Health Amendment Act (HAA) Cards that provide enhanced medical cover and a full state contributory pension to survivors of industrial and reform schools.
They started their hunger strike on September 21st and Miriam Moriarty Owens says they will continue with it until their demands are met.
She says it’s very difficult and they have been checked on by doctors, but adds that the reaction they are getting from the public is very positive and is giving them a lift.
Last week, the group met with the Minister for Education Helen McEntee and they say they were told there were no plans to meet their demands.
The Department of Education says the State has responded to survivors' needs in a number of ways including establishing a redress scheme and providing funding supports.
It says new health and education supports will also be rolled out shortly.
Ms Moriarty Owens says they are still happy to engage with the Government as their hunger strike moves towards its third week.
