Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 177: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of children under the care of the Health Service Executive who have been reported missing to An Garda Síochána; the number of times that each has been reported missing; the number of crimes committed by such children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42053/06]

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 178: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of crimes that have been committed against children under the care of the Health Service Executive who have been reported missing to An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42054/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 177 and 178 together.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that statistics on the number of missing children in the care of the Health Service Executive are not readily available. However, analysis carried out at the Garda Missing Persons Bureau earlier this year indicated that 372 children in care were reported missing on 3,715 occasions between October 1999 and February 2005. The frequency with which children were reported missing is shown in the table.

I am further informed that the research also indicated that 45 of the 372 children were the victims of criminal offences. Some 158 of the 372 children were recorded as offenders.

The analysis was conducted as part of a review of the Garda missing persons policy. On foot of the analysis An Garda Síochána commenced working with the Health Service Executive to develop a protocol to deal with children in care who are reported missing. The purpose of the protocol is to reduce the number of children in care reported missing and to minimise the risk of harm to children when they are missing.