Laws blocked Leo Varadkar disclosing foster abuse cases

Former health minister Leo Varadkar knew of widescale foster care abuses in the south east more than a year and a half ago, but did not make the issue public because of strict whistle-blower laws.

The now Social Protection Minister confirmed the situation amid fresh controversy over care standards in the region caused by a previously hidden report into the crisis obtained by RTÉ last week.

Speaking after the Prime Time programme last Thursday revealed a series of previously unknown cases of State neglect of vulnerable children and young adults allegedly abused while in foster care similar to the ‘Grace’ case, Mr Varadkar said he was made aware of the situation in late 2014.