HSE sees 40,000 child abuse and neglect cases yearly

The HSE is now dealing with 40,000 incidents of child abuse or neglect annually, with the figure described by one local representative as "staggering".

Clare Councillor Brian Meaney, in a written query to the HSE West regional health forum, received details of the number of incidents of child abuse or neglect reported to the children and family service section of the HSE for the last two years.

In its reply, the HSE revealed that in 2012 the total number of referrals nationally was 40,187. This was made up of 19,044 abuse referrals and 21,143 welfare referrals.