Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I absolutely agree with the Minister that the report that was released on the sexual exploitation of children in care in this country is deeply shocking and disturbing. However, this is not the first time this issue has been raised. It was first reported last year in The Irish Timesand social workers in Tusla were aware of this since 2020. This is not something that has come to light today.

What has the Government done since it was first notified in 2020 that children who were the responsibility of the State and in the State’s care have been sexually exploited? What has the Government done to protect them? Will the Minister commit to an immediate HIQA investigation into these care facilities as requested by the authors of the report today?

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