Bodies representing people who work in and manage residential childcare centres say the situation outlined in the Newtown House report is the result of years of neglect, writes Padraig O'Morain.
The report, published on Monday, found that the Co Wicklow centre, now closed, failed to meet the standards for such centres.
The Irish Association of Care Workers said yesterday that the report "only serves to highlight what is happening in health board and voluntary sector residential homes right across the country".
The Resident Managers' Association said: "What we are seeing now is the result of years of indifference and neglect."