Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú) | Oireachtas source

Research we in Aontú carried out in recent times found that over 200 children who are known to child protection services have died over the past ten years.

Some 42 children died while in State care and 164 children who were known to child protection services died. Half of the children who died while in State care died either by suicide or by drug overdose. Twelve children were murdered while known to child protection services over the past decade. During the same period, 62 children who were known to child protection services died by suspected suicide. God rest them all. I cannot think of anything more shocking, heartbreaking or tragic than a child committing suicide or a child being murdered, but to think that 12 children were murdered and 62 children took their own lives while under the eyes of the State is incredible. These were children with their full potential and full lives in front of them.

There is a massive crisis happening at present. Last year, 70,000 children were referred to Tusla. That is more than the number of children who started school last year. It is 4% of the population of children in this State, and these are being referred to Tusla every year. The number is increasing, no doubt due to many factors. Of course, the lockdowns over the last 20 months certainly did not help. We heard a powerful contribution last week from Deputy McGuinness regarding the Grace case and today we will discuss the mother and baby homes. I look forward to contributing to that debate to ensure that people and institutions are held to account for the suffering and deaths of vulnerable women and children in the care of the State in the past. It is very important that we get justice for people in the past. However, it is also critical that we have transparency and accountability today. What I have outlined is happening in the Tánaiste's time and under his watch. If we act now, we can have an impact on these lives. We can do something about this right now in real time.

These facts represent an enormous human tragedy. The issue of children being murdered while known to child protection services warrants a full, proper debate in this Chamber. What is being done to reduce the suicide and murder rates among children in State care or known to the child protection services of this country?

See this speech in context