Ms Lucinda Murrihy:

At the moment, when children come up against barriers, the only process is complaints go through the school. Children can complain to the ombudsman but they must first go through a lengthy process that can be biased. It is important there is an independent mechanism for children's voices to be heard. With the questions that came up today, the answers sit within children's experiences. In any other sector, complaints are very important because it is an opportunity to learn. A children's advocacy service is key as well so that children's voices are heard and policy decisions are based on those voices, which are currently not heard.