Andrews to question why number of deaths in care exceeded estimates

SENIOR HSE figures are to be asked to meet Children’s Minister Barry Andrews to explain why the number of deaths of children in care is substantially higher than previous figures provided to the Government.

The meeting is likely to be called by Mr Andrews in the coming days after it emerged yesterday that 37 children died while in care in the past decade. The revelation came just a day after Health Minister Mary Harney said she was confident the figure would be 23.

Fine Gael last night questioned the accuracy of the figure, described as “absolutely reliable” by HSE chief executive Brendan Drumm.