Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

Is the Minister of State aware of the number of children or minors who have absconded from care or foster care? Were they included in the facts he put before us? It is a very serious issue. Does the Minister of State have statistics on children who have died and whose deaths have not been investigated but who were children of mothers who were under 18 years of age? Without going into detail, at least one case has been brought to my attention where a mother was under 18 and a health board was engaged in her care. Her baby died outside of a proper place of safety for that child. Does the Minister of State have a statutory duty of care to have available accommodation for children of parents who are under 18?

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