Frank O'Rourke (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I take the Minister's comments in good faith and I hope she will contact me directly after Question Time. This is serious, especially for the sister who is caring for the two children without legal guardianship. There is no carer follow-up for the mother. This is one case. I highlighted another to the Minister's office and to that of the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, before Christmas of a 15 year old on suicide watch. That person was in the care of the State but on two occasions was allowed to go off unattended. The person went missing for five days and was eventually found by gardaí. I am highlighting this case. Unfortunately, I do not have the time to go into others but there is a major problem with the delivery of the services in my area to help families and children at risk or being neglected. This is not a once-off. Sometimes, when I raise matters with Ministers they say that it is an isolated issue but this is not. There is a pattern, as these two cases demonstrate. There is concern that we are not getting delivery of services. I hope the Minister will take up this case and ensure that services are delivered for families who need them.

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