THE proposed amendment to the Constitution enshrining children’s rights could expose social workers to false accusations, it was claimed yesterday.

HEALTH boards paid out €85 million last year to keep just 600 children in residential care, new figures have revealed.

AN INSPECTION of homes for children in State care has found a lack of suitably qualified staff, poor vetting procedures and youngsters on medication for psychiatric problems.

A HEALTH board which spent €3,000 conducting interviews in Canada for childcare staff has been accused of wasting taxpayer's money and ignoring suitably qualified Irish staff.