Call for child report updates

THE INDEPENDENT group examining the deaths of children in the care of the HSE would be asked for its schedule for completing its work, Taoiseach Brian Cowen told the Dáil.

He said it would also provide regular updates on its progress.

“In so far as learning can be identified, including common issues, the group is being asked to make recommendations on how child-protection responses can be strengthened and, if considered useful, to comment on the nature of the reports or reviews available to it,” Mr Cowen said.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said one of the reasons so much cynicism existed among people regarding politics, and the way business was conducted in the Dáil, was the lack of transparency and accountability.

Last Thursday, he added, Minister of State for Children Barry Andrews had stated in the House, based on information given to him by the HSE, that 23 children died while in the State’s care.

Both before that statement was made and subsequent to it, the HSE reported the figure was 20.

“Since the Minister of State must be accountable, truthful and accurate, then either the information being given to him by the HSE is not accurate or it must be validated, one or the other,” Mr Kenny added.