Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The HSE is currently undertaking a process of collating files from the 32 community care areas across the country so it can provide an accurate figure for the number of deaths of children in care and of children who were known to social services over the last decade but were not in the care of the State, in line with the new HIQA guidelines which were published in March of this year. That is an additional element which will require an intensive search of files across the country, a process which is now under way.

It is not simply a matter of why there is no figure available for the number of children who have died in the care of the State. We must also check those who were brought to the attention of social services but were not in care and those who went beyond the age of 18 and thus were no longer children but required after-care services up to the age of 21. Since the category of people being inquired about has been extended, all these files must now be checked. It is not restricted to those who were in State care. This is why there must be an extensive trawl through files. This must be done properly so the correct information can be obtained. There are 32 community care areas in which that exercise must take place, back-dated over the last ten years. We must understand the work involved.

Of course it would be far better if that information were immediately available. I am simply explaining the circumstances; more time will be required to obtain the information. The category of people involved has been extended to include not only those who were in State care but those who came to the attention of social services but were not in care and those who required after-care services after reaching the age of majority.

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