Ms Vanessa Lacey:

I refer to generationality. Senator van Turnhout mentioned older people. We work with people as young as 82 years of age to children as old as six years of age. They all experience very different things. We have an ageing community. We are all getting older but, I suppose, it is great to get old because at least we are alive. Older people, many of whom have lost their families, are getting old, they are going into institutions and they will be alone. We need a service there. That is something which, I suppose, has been overlooked. We need to think seriously about providing a service to older transgender people, as they get older. Younger people being supported by their families will have had a different experience, as will those in the middle and the children of transgender people. We need to take a holistic approach. TransParenCI is totally under-resourced, which is an issue. TENI supports that organisation.

I refer to Senator Colm Burke's question on whose priority it is. I think it is across the board. One would think endocrinology and mental health care are a priority but I think it is across the board to social care and so on. I gave a full day's training to Youth Work Ireland on Friday. It was very interesting and a great training day. Again, it is a priority. All of these things are a priority. This will go on for years because training was not provided before but now it is and I thank Dr. Crowley and the team for that.

I thank Senator Zappone for sharing that. I always say to my 13 year old and to my 17 year old, who has just done his leaving certificate, that education is the key. I gave presentations to fourth, fifth and sixth years in Newpark Comprehensive, Blackrock, which is probably the best school in Ireland. Walking into the room is a terrifying experience because I am a 6 ft. 3 in. transgender woman and I suppose that is very intimidating. I normally bring in loads of sweets to soften people before I start. However, I am conscious that there could be some negativity but I have to say that of hundreds of students, the feedback was amazing. They were like bunny rabbits sitting in the seats and lapping it all up. I got e-mails afterwards commending the training and the experience. This is the way forward. Again, one is just speaking about a difference. It is a very positive thing but one needs to get into the schools to educate the next generation. I love this generation because I have two inspirations at that level, namely, my own two kids. That is key.

I refer to transphobia. It comes back to Senator Zappone's contribution. I do not want to keep going on about it but education is the key. Positive media work is important and it has been happening in Ireland. Ireland has been very successful because we have a population of less than 5 million, so it is easy to educate it. We are at a really good point here. By looking at a holistic service, health care and legislation, we can nail transphobia in the schools. We can do it really simply. It is very positive in that respect, living in this wonderful country. I love this country so much. That is the way to go forward. Educating about difference will get rid of transphobia.

I refer to the work I do with Waterford Integration Forum. Marginalised communities come together to educate each other and society. We are all diverse, we are human beings, so it is natural.

In response to Deputy Mitchell O'Connor, I mentioned younger and older people. People have different experiences. I would tell people to contact us to see if we can help them. We are limited by resources. We have two full-time employees and one part-time employee and at times, it is difficult to get to everyone, as the rates are rising. I hope we get more money in the future but that is another issue, although maybe it is the issue.

Senator Crown referred to discrimination in hospitals. There have been cases of discrimination.