52% of children in care against parents’ wishes

Just over half of the 3,063 children placed in care in Cork and Kerry over a 10-year period were placed there against their parents’ wishes.

Up to 52% of the children put into care between 2002 and 2012 were non-voluntary placements, research shows. The study also showed a significant increase in the referrals to social workers over that period and the rates of children in care, particularly in the North Lee local health area.

Up to 20% of the children were under the age of one when they first entered care.