Children were sent to foster carers who were not yet either assessed or approved, while five foster families were still caring for children despite have their application to the service rejected.

A CLAIM by the Health Service Executive (HSE) that all children in foster care in Cork city and county had an allocated social worker was not borne out during an inspection of foster care services.

THE number of children in foster care on the northside of Cork city is almost double that of the southside and the demand on social workers’ time means reports of neglect and abuse are not always dealt with in a timely manner.

THE independent watchdog tasked with inspecting services for more than 5,000 children in care has just half a dozen inspectors and no enforcement powers to prosecute those who breach the law.