Andrews hits out at media reports on HSE child deaths

Children's Minister Barry Andrews has hit out at reports that the number of children who have died in state care over the past decade could be as high as 200.

Minister Andrews described the reports as "reckless" and said they had caused panic.

Earlier this week the HSE indicated that it could take several weeks to ascertain the precise number of children who have died in State care over the past decade.

However following a number of meetings on Wednesday, officials promised to hand over the details today.

Minister Andrews described the situation as "incredibly frustrating", but said reports overestimating the number concerned were unhelpful.