Report: Few parents prosecuted for child neglect

Very few parents are prosecuted for criminal neglect despite coming to the attention of gardaí for drug and alcohol abuse, a report examining the management of neglect cases reveals.

Neglected children often had to experience another form of maltreatment, such as physical or sexual abuse, before being removed from home, according to Lynne Peyton, a consultant in children’s services and social care.

Ms Peyton’s report was carried out on behalf of the HSE. It was completed in Apr 2012, but only released it in the past week.