Laura Harmon (Labour) | Oireachtas source

The report makes for stark reading. The witnesses outlined some of the key areas in their opening statement regarding institutionalisation, safeguarding in congregated and institutional settings and how the housing crisis is affecting people with disabilities, as well as very concerning information regarding domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. I am glad that our education system has been raised. We are the worst in Europe in terms of employment rates and 20% behind the European average when it comes to employment, retention in employment and long-term career planning. Could the witnesses expand on what the State needs to do to ensure we are safeguarding people and how the State needs to step up?