A national register of children at risk accessible to gardaí and medical personnel 24/7 will not be available before the end of the year despite its significance in supporting child protection.

Inspections watchdog Hiqa has expressed serious concern over the management of potential child sex abusers in Co Donegal and over some children at risk of harm not having a social worker.

The HSE did not always formally notify gardaí of cases where children may have been physically or sexually abused, a report published by the health watchdog has claimed.

A HEALTH visitor accused of failing to properly monitor adopted twins had a smaller caseload than her colleagues.