We were not consulted for Fay report, says psychotherapist

A psychotherapist who was involved in the care of Tracey Fay is questioning the validity of the report into her time in care and her subsequent death.

The report was published by Fine Gael earlier this week and detailed how the teenager was housed in a variety of unsuitable accommodation, was sexually exploited and had two children while in the care of the state.

She was found dead of a drugs overdose when she was 18.

Family psychotherapist David Kavanagh who worked with Tracey during her years in care says he has serious questions about the report as he and many of his colleagues who had contact with the girl were never asked for their views.

Jennifer Gargan, director of Irish Association of Young People in Care (IAYPIC) stated: "From our work with young people we are aware that, eight years later, many of the same issues are still affecting young people in care.

"These include; no 24-hour social work service, inadequate out–of –hours service, appointment of Guardian ad Litem is the exception rather than the rule, insufficient numbers of social workers, lack of purposeful care planning, no overall corporate responsibility.

"While we accept the necessity of investigating the death of any child/young person we don’t support the level of personal detail that has been laid bare about the life of this young person.

"We must learn from the failures in the care of Tracey Fay to ensure that this cannot happen to any other young person."