Ms Louise Loughlin:

I endorse the comments made by the previous witnesses. Some powerful testimony was given about people's experiences. As well as the issues that people have flagged around social welfare, access to employment and access to supports for education and self-employment, it is important that those living in different types of settings are also supported to access their communities in respect of the issues we have highlighted. Some of those individuals will need access to independent advocacy to enable them to do that. I emphasise the importance of such additional support. We must not lose track of these issues as well. Many people are still living in residential services in Ireland and we want to support them to live a lives of their own choosing, whether that is in a residential service, living independently in the community or living in supported accommodation. That is our aim. Part of that undertaking involves supporting people to enable them to access community and cultural life, as the committee is considering this morning.