Tusla: 22 children went missing from State care in January alone 

Tusla told the 'Irish Examiner' the children include one who went missing from a placement three times since late December. Three others were the subject of two garda missing persons appeals each in January. Stock picture: Corbis

More than 20 children in State care were reported missing to gardaí in January, according to Tusla, as organisations raise concerns about the safety of such children.

The child and family agency told the Irish Examiner that, as of February 1, 22 children had been reported missing from State care.

They included one who had gone missing from a placement in the east of the country three times since late December. 

Three others were the subject of two garda missing persons appeals each in January.

In a statement to the Irish Examiner, the chief executive of EPIC (Empowering People in Care) Marissa Ryan said: “It’s really concerning when any child in state care goes missing, and often these children can be particularly vulnerable.

“While important procedures are followed when this happens, it’s also necessary to understand the circumstances that led to the child leaving the place they live in the first place. Where the state is acting in loco parentis, it must guarantee safety, stability, and security for the child to the same level as any reasonable parent.”

Empowering People In Care (EPIC) chief executive Marissa Ryan: 'Children in care can be contending with complex situations which may influence their going missing.' Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

She continued: “This means ensuring care placements are appropriate and regulated, that children have access to appropriate services that meet their needs, and that they have consistent professionals in their lives who know them, and with whom they can build trusted relationships.

“Children in care can be contending with complex situations which may influence their going missing.

“It’s really important that a review is undertaken in each of these cases by Tusla and other relevant state agencies to ascertain the safety and wellbeing of the child, and to ensure an appropriate response.”

Last year, a report by the Sexual Exploitation Research Project  (SERP) at UCD revealed that children and young people in residential care, or who go missing while in State care, are being targeted for sexual exploitation.

Ruth Breslin, lead researcher at the Sexual Exploitation Research Programme (SERP) at UCD: 'Many of these children and young people are of course vulnerable and may be seeking love and affection and to form bonds with someone they trust. Exploiters know this and will prey on these vulnerabilities...' Picture: Julien Behal

SERP research associate Ruth Breslin said: “Our study, Protecting Against Predators, found that the risk of sexual exploitation in the residential care setting is heightened when children go missing or run away from a care placement.

“Many of these children and young people are of course vulnerable and may be seeking love and affection and to form bonds with someone they trust.

“Exploiters know this and will prey on these vulnerabilities — they build a trusting relationship with the child first, but in doing so are grooming them for the purposes of sexual exploitation.

“It is vital that all authorities involved in these cases understand the true risks involved when a child/young person goes missing from care, that what happens to them while they are missing is properly investigated, and that all possible welfare and safeguarding measures are put in place to address the risk of sexual exploitation.

“This includes preventive measures to stop the abuse before it even starts — such as identifying those children and young people who may be at heightened risk of experiencing sexual exploitation and providing a range of supports and safeguards to prevent them from being preyed upon.”

A Tusla spokeswoman said: “Children are reported missing from care when they have left their placement and there is concern about their welfare and their whereabouts. 

"In all instances Tusla continue to work with An Garda Síochána, the child and their significant others to support their safe return to their placement by all possible means.

"Reports made for children missing from care capture a point in time and in most instances, children return to their placement within a short period.”