Survivors of abuse in industrial and reformatory schools have ended their hunger strike outside Leinster House after more than 50 days.
It follows another meeting between the hunger strike protesters and Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Minister for Education Helen McEntee last night.
It is understood the Government is offering a package of measures including financial assistance, priority access for social housing and healthcare supports.
Further meetings are scheduled to take place over the coming days to finalise matters.
Part of the deal would mean the Government being prepared to state publicly that nobody has a criminal record as a result of having been in an industrial and reformatory school.
Social Democrats Spokesperson for Education Jen Cummins has welcomed the development, but added the State must never put abuse survivors through such an ordeal again.
She said: "While today's news brings some comfort, serious questions must now be asked about why it took 51 days of protest outside the Houses of the Oireachtas for survivors to be heard."
"No one who has already suffered so much should have to resort to such drastic measures simply to have their voices acknowledged by the State - this delay represents not only a gross lack of compassion, but a failure of governance and accountability," she added.
