More child neglect cases being referred to services

More cases of child neglect are being referred to the country’s care services, said the Minister for Children, Frances Fitzgerald, yesterday as she outlined plans for a standalone referendum on children’s rights later this year.

Speaking before a meeting of the Joint Committee on Health and Children, the minister also revealed that at the end of last year, there were 6,160 children in care, while as many as 71 social workers are expected to step down this month as part of the state retirement plan.

As many as 50 of those could be working in child and family services, but Ms Fitzgerald said new social workers had been employed or were in the process of beginning work, helping to fulfil recommendations made in the Ryan Report.