Neglect main reason children end up in care

NEGLECT and family difficulties with housing and finance are the main reasons children end up in care, according to a stark report by the Health Service Executive (HSE).

Drug and alcohol abuse among family members is also a significant factor, as is child abuse.

HSE child protection teams confirmed 1,978 cases of child abuse in 2007, the most recent figures available, a 10% increase on 2006. Investigations into allegations of abuse were inconclusive in 959 cases and assessment is ongoing in 1,215 alleged abuse cases.