Kenny defends State’s child protection record

Taoiseach Enda Kenny today defended the State's record on child protection after it emerged that 35 children or young adults who were in HSE care, or who were known to social services, have died since March of last year.

Natural causes accounted for 11 of the deaths while the other 24 included suicide, drug overdoses and road accidents.

The figures were revealed at the publication today of the annual report of the National Review Panel for Serious Incidents and Child Deaths.

HSE National Child Care Specialist Paul Harrison said 22 of the cases occurred in 2010, while 13 others happened this year.

Speaking in the Dáil, Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald hit out at the State's protection of children.

However Mr Kenny defended the State's record.

“I reject your charge completely," he told Deputy McDonald. "That the State, and the Government which I lead does not have care of children and the safety of children as a priority.”