Vulnerable children in Kildare and West Wicklow were at “significant risk” due to insufficient resources and a backlog in assessing cases, according to a new Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) inspection report.

Inspections of foster care services in Co Mayo have found that watchdogs had to issue an immediate action plan due to a number of serious failings in the area.

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.