Ms Edel McGinley:

I thank the committee for the invitation. We appreciate it and it is great to talk about these important issues. On the request to write to the Minister, that is urgent and I ask that it be done in the next couple of days.

That would ensure that the committee's views are with the Minister because a decision on that scheme will be going to the Cabinet quite soon. I urge the committee to try to prioritise that. Finally, we believe that giving more rights to people is the way forward in terms of people accessing any of these services or engaging with the State. When one diminishes rights, one diminishes people's ability to engage and to take control over their lives. For us, that other request regarding the general employment permits and having equality in the system is very important as well.

I thank the committee again for its time.