Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)

Today the HSE publishes reports on deaths and serious incidents among children in State care. Information has come into the public domain about a further 35 deaths of children in care since March 2010. There were 22 deaths last year and another 13 this year. These children, who were in the care of the State, died from a range of causes, including suicide, drug overdose and medical issues. I am sure the Taoiseach will agree this represents a monumental failure on the part of a State which continues to fail young people and their families. We are far away from the ideal of cherishing all the children of the nation equally.

The issues arising in respect of the HSE and the State's care of young people might never have come to light but for the leaking of a report into the death of Tracey Fay in 2009. It is a scandalous situation. Is the Taoiseach satisfied that the structures currently in place resolve the deep concerns about lack of transparency in the HSE's child protection services? Will he tell the House what his Government intends to do to ensure no more children die in the care of the State?

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