Ex-HSE director ‘not surprised’ at discovery of files

The former assistant national director of child and family services in the HSE said he was “not surprised” when approximately 700 unidentified files relating to children, about whom concerns had been raised, were recently unearthed.

Phil Garland said there was “poor management, poor accounting, and little responsibility” within the State’s child- protection services.

The discovery of the files in the Laois/Offaly area included 822 unacknowledged Garda referrals. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has commenced a review of see if any of these referrals were acted upon.