REACTION TO REPORT:THE REPORT into the deaths of nearly 200 young people in contact with child protection services has been described as "deeply shocking".
The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children said it was appalled by the review findings. “This is a sad, shameful day. Nearly 200 children died, showing we still haven’t learned from the litany of reports published in the last two decades,” said chief executive Ashley Balbirnie.
Barnardos said the review highlighted the systemic failure of the child welfare and protection system in meeting the needs of the children it was meant to protect.
Focus Ireland said the State had failed to protect some of the most vulnerable members of society and renewed its call for a legal right to aftercare for young adults in contact with protection services.
The Children’s Mental Health Coalition said the report made “harrowing” reading.
“This report underlines the urgent need for the Government to recognise specific services must be in place to support the mental health needs of young people in detention, high support units and in special care,” said chairman Colm O’Gorman.
Empowering People in Care (Epic) welcomed the publication of the report and said steps must now be taken to rebuild confidence in the child protection services.
The Campaign for Children group said the report was a “shocking indictment” of how young people are treated in Ireland.
The Children’s Rights Alliance said many of the deaths covered in the report could have been prevented but for major systems failures and human error.
“This report exposes the truth and clearly demonstrates that, as a society, we should have cared more, done more, for these vulnerable children and young people,” said the organisation’s chief executive, Tanya Ward.
Fianna Fáil described the report as harrowing to read but said it was necessary in order to improve services.
“As legislators we must do everything in our power to help these children and the Government must implement the recommendations in this report as a matter of urgency.
“They will have Fianna Fáil’s full support in doing this,” said the party’s spokesman on Children, Charlie McConalogue.
Sinn Féin called on the Government to speed up its overhaul of child protection structures in the State following publication of the review.
Party president and Louth TD Gerry Adams said the conclusions of the report were “a serious indictment” of the child protection systems in the State.
“It is clear that the State abdicated its duty in respect of some young people and failed to provide the adequate child protection support that should be expected of a modern state in the 21st century,” he said.
Senator Jillian van Turnhout said she was “profoundly saddened” by the report.
“The new child and family support agency, which will ensure greater integration between child welfare and protection and family support – and will ultimately lead to better outcomes for children and their families – must be established as a matter of urgency,” she said.
