Bulk of HSE files on deaths pass to experts

MOST of the HSE files regarding the deaths of children in the care system have been passed to the experts charged with reviewing their deaths, it is understood.

It is also believed that all the files regarding the deaths of children known to social services, but not necessarily in the care of the HSE when they died, will be passed to the Independent Review Group by the middle of September.

Those files involve a much larger group of children, including those who were accessing aftercare services having turned 18, and are now included in the transfer of files after a change to the terms of reference under which it is operating.

The Office of the Minister for Children and the HSE confirmed that the transferring of files has begun in recent weeks.

It is understood that approximately 34 files were passed on by the HSE to the minister’s office the Friday before last, before then being handed over to the Independent Review Group.

It is believed another two files were passed on last week, with a technical issue delaying the transfer of one remaining file.

Regarding the larger group of deaths being reviewed – those of people known to social services but not necessarily in care at the time of death – around 29 files are thought to have been passed on by the HSE.

All files are due to be in the possession of the Independent Review Group by mid-September, with group members Norah Gibbons and Geoffrey Shannon due to report back to the minister by Christmas.

However, if it is deemed that more time is needed to review some cases that timeframe can be extended.

A third member of the Independent Review Group is still likely to be appointed, according to the minister’s office, but that person is likely to be from overseas and will have more of an oversight function, possibly joining when the bulk of the work has been carried out.

Concerns have been raised since the setting up of the review panel over its powers and a perceived delay in the transfer of files.

In recent weeks the terms of reference have been changed, allowing the group to access additional information relating to the cases.