Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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373. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children who have died while in the care of the State, per region, for each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the details in each instance of the cause of death; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12749/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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The death of any child or young person is a tragedy, and a profound loss for their families and carers and I deeply sympathise with all those affected.In order to identify learning about how to better address the needs of vulnerable children and families, the National Review Panel (NRP) was established in 2010 to review serious incidents and deaths of children in care, in aftercare, and those known to Child Welfare and Protection Services. It is an independent body chaired by Dr Helen Buckley and its reports are published on the Tusla website.

Information on the cases and the work of the Panel is published in the National Review Panel annual reports, which are available on the Tusla website.

The following table is a summary of the deaths of children and young people in care over the period 2011 to 2014

Table 1: Number of Deaths notified for children and young people in care

For the information of the Deputy, I am also including the following table that sets out the deaths and serious incidents for children and young people who were in care, in an aftercare programme or were known to the Child Welfare and Protection Services.

Table 2: Number of Deaths and Serious Incidents notified for children and young people in care, aftercare or were known to the Child Welfare and Protection Services (National Review Panel Annual Report 2014)

For completeness, I would note that the Report of the Independent Child Death Review Group gives data on deaths of 196 children during the period of 1 January 2000 to 30 April 2010 who were in care (18%), known to social services (65%) or in aftercare (16%). This report is available on www.dcya.gov.ie.

The remaining information sought by the Deputy has been requested from the Child and Family Agency and I will respond directly to the Deputy when the information is received.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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374. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children, per region, who have gone missing or have disappeared while placed in the care of the State, for each of the years 2011 to 2017 to date, in tabular form; the number of these whose whereabouts are still unknown; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12750/17]

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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375. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children who have gone missing or have disappeared while placed in the care of the State but whose whereabouts were subsequently rediscovered for each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; the numbers who were retraced to brothels; the numbers retraced to businesses; the numbers retraced to private households and to any other location in which it is believed they may have been used as slaves; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12751/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 374 and 375 together.

Tusla has confirmed to me that all of the children who went missing during 2016 were returned safely to their foster or residential placement. I understand that information on children's absences from care is being collected in all administrative areas, and is being used in service and care planning for children in care. However, it may not be collated in the manner referred to by the Deputy. I have asked Tusla, the Child and Family Agency for the information and I will respond to you when their reply has been received.

A child in care would be expected to have an Absence Management Plan. This is used to assess the risk in the event of a child going missing and the action to be taken. A child in care is considered to be missing when his or her whereabouts are unknown and the Absence Management Plan indicates concern for the child’s safety. For example, a child in care can be subject to curfews as part of their placement plan that reflect their ability to keep themselves safe. It should be remembered that most children in care live in family settings in the community.

I can inform the Deputy that I have been assured that there is strong inter-agency co-operation to promote the safety and welfare of children who are reported missing from care. In this regard, a Joint Protocol between An Garda Síochána and Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, sets out the procedure to be followed in the event that a child in care goes missing. Children in care are recognised by An Garda Síochána and Tusla as being among the most vulnerable in our society.