Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú) | Oireachtas source

In a few decades' time, a successor of the Taoiseach's will be standing where he is today, issuing an apology to all the victims who are suffering from the current child protection situation in this State. This morning, I received a letter from Tusla confirming that in the past decade, 201 children have died while known to child protection services. Nine of these children were murdered, 32 children died of suicide, six overdosed on drugs, 16 were killed in road accidents and a further 16 were killed in other accidents. If you read these reports, you will find these children are often referred by Tusla to CAMHS, but CAMHS refuses to take these children, saying that it does not take children who are using drugs or alcohol. This is a very bizarre and alarming situation.

Tusla has also confirmed to Aontú that 40 children under the care of Tusla are currently missing. Half of these are unaccompanied minors who have vanished while under the care of the State. Judges and people in the legal profession are deeply concerned at the likelihood that many of these children will be sexually exploited or trafficked. The Minister, Deputy O’Gorman, shredded correspondence he received from Judge Simms, and yet he has now been promoted to become leader of the Green Party. Will the Taoiseach make sure that the voluntary care system, the system that is used to care for children who are in serious need in this State, will receive additional funding in this year's budget? Will he make sure that only the highest standards are used when looking after children who are in State care?

See this speech in context