Figures on abuse two years old

THE Government has failed to release details on the number of Irish children abused or neglected over the past two years, it emerged yesterday.

Minister for Children Brendan Smith admitted the latest details available on vulnerable children dated back to 2005. He said it was hoped the Health Service Executive (HSE) would soon provide details on abused or neglected children in different health regions for 2006 and 2007.

But the opposition said the delay was a “disgrace”. Fine Gael’s Alan Shatter said: “Am I right in understanding that the department has absolutely no idea how many children were reported to the HSE during 2006 or 2007 as being at risk? The minister does not know the average waiting times before children at risk are assessed. He does not know how many children are at risk at present because they are on a waiting list.”