HSE under fire over child death figures

The Health Service Executive is being criticised for the manner in which it has released information on the deaths of children in the care of the State.

Earlier this week, Chief Executive of the HSE Professor Brendan Drumm said 23 children had died in care over the past decade.

However in a press statement last night, the HSE said that 37 had died while in care, from both natural and unnatural causes.

A spokesperson denied any withholding of information by the HSE, and said the revised figures were drawn up under a wider criteria.

Next week, the Health Service Executive is due to publish additional figures detailing the number of children who died that were known to social workers or had been previously in care.

The Children's Rights Alliance is calling for an independent inquiry into the death of any child in the care of the State.