Survivors of industrial and reformatory schools continue to face significant barriers in Ireland’s complex local authority housing system. Sage Advocacy believes that without targeted action, survivors will remain excluded from equitable access to housing, reinforcing historic patterns of neglect and marginalisation. 

In 2024, Sage Advocacy identified a clear route to granting survivors housing priority within the existing legislative framework—the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Acts 2009 and 2014. This can be delivered either through amendments to each of the 31 local authority Schemes of Letting Priorities or, more efficiently, through a ministerial circular directing uniform adoption across all local authorities. With information provided by survivors, Sage Advocacy also proposed reinstating Survivor Liaison Officers across local authority and health regions. As part of this systemic housing advocacy, Sage is engaging with the Minister for Housing, the CCMA, the Housing Agency, and several local authorities.

In mid-October 2025, at the Department of Education’s request, Sage Advocacy submitted a detailed proposal outlining how these enhancements —and a practical approach to managing GDPR issues—can be achieved within existing legislation.