HSE releases new figures of deaths of children in care

New figures released today show that 151 children and young adults, who were known to social services, or who were previously in care, died over the last 10 years.

The details come after the Health Service Executive released details last week, which showed 37 other children died between the year 2000 and 2010, while in the care of the state.

Some 124 of these were not in the state’s direct care. 63 died of natural causes, 61 of unnatural causes.

A total of 27 young adults previously in state care but not in care at the time, died during the period, four of natural causes, 23 of unnatural causes.

Of the total 84 unnatural deaths, 21 were due to suicide, 10 unlawful killing, 14 were drug-related, 15 road traffic accidents, and, 24 other accidents.

Responding to the disclosure, Jennifer Gargan, director of the Irish Association of Young People in Care (IAYPIC), expressed her shock and sadness at the loss of so many young lives.

“It is extremely worrying that so many children already known to the child protection services and therefore known to be at risk, have died as a result of the HSE’s failure to protect them and keep them safe. The reasons for this failure needs to be investigated as a matter of urgency.”

The HSE needs to put in place consistent policies and procedures for reporting and reviewing child deaths in line with HIQA guidelines.

Gargan added that: “We need accurate information in order to review all cases where a child has died whilst in care and make whatever systemic changes necessary to prevent these tragedies from re-occurring”.

“When these latest figures are added to those revealed last week it means that a total of 188 young people known to the child protection services, in care or within three years of leaving care, have died in the last 10 years”