Dr. Niall Muldoon:

With regard to the UCD report, I had a number of engagements with the researchers. The Children's Commissioner for England did a similar report about ten years ago and, using the same methodology and rationale, found really serious concerns about children in care. In a similar way, the issue of children in care being abused was identified and uncovered in Northern Ireland. This therefore did not come as a surprise to me. It is unfortunately part and parcel of the way bad actors look for vulnerable children. We engaged with UCD and offered whatever assistance we could provide. We also discussed the issue with the Minister for children at the time and asked him to move forward on it and to support the UCD researchers in the next phases of their work. I understand there was discussion of further funding for new research at that stage. It is unfortunate that this can and does happen. I recall one particular case, probably 15 years ago, in which a young person in the north west was the key witness where a number of men were arrested and convicted of rape. She was a child in care and kept a diary of how these men met her and what they looked like. That was the only time I can remember a real case being brought forward in this type of grooming scenario. There is more that can be done from that point of view but I have not chatted to those researchers in about a year. I can link in with them in the future to see where they are.

As regards the child death review, I will pass over to Ms Ward.