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11/08/2009
Hundreds Of Children In Care Go 'Missing'
A Fine Gael TD has revealed that since 2000, some 434 children have gone missing from the State's care system, and remain unfound.
Fine Gael Immigration & Integration Spokesman, Denis Naughten TD, said that the rate of children disappearing from state care is growing and accused the Governemnt of "gross neglect of the issue".
According to figures acquired by Mr Naughten on Thursday, 33 more children have gone missing from State care since January, with 29 still unaccounted for.
Mr Naughten said Ireland had been identified as a major route for the trafficking of children and expressed concern over the welfare of the lost children.
"It is clear that many of these young children are being coerced or enticed from State care into lives of depravity and prostitution.
"There is strong evidence to suggest that the HSE hostels are little more than 'grooming grounds' for those seeking to prey on vulnerable children," he said.
The figures since 2000 show that 496 children put into HSE accommodation had disappeared after being placed in care by the Department of Justice, 434 of which remain missing.
Mr Naughten added: "The Government must immediately end the practice of placing separated children into hostels without proper care, supervision or standards.
"This dereliction of care on behalf of the State has allowed those who wanted to exploit and abuse children in the past to go undetected."
In April an early-warning 'Amber Alert' system to find children abducted or missing in Ireland was given the go-ahead after years of campaigning.
Justice Minister Dermot Ahern launched the system, named after the American model of rapid response to find children.
The move came after the Garda Inspectorate made 18 recommendations in a report, including the need for gardaí to work more closely with the media and foreign police.
(DW/BMcC)
Fine Gael Immigration & Integration Spokesman, Denis Naughten TD, said that the rate of children disappearing from state care is growing and accused the Governemnt of "gross neglect of the issue".
According to figures acquired by Mr Naughten on Thursday, 33 more children have gone missing from State care since January, with 29 still unaccounted for.
Mr Naughten said Ireland had been identified as a major route for the trafficking of children and expressed concern over the welfare of the lost children.
"It is clear that many of these young children are being coerced or enticed from State care into lives of depravity and prostitution.
"There is strong evidence to suggest that the HSE hostels are little more than 'grooming grounds' for those seeking to prey on vulnerable children," he said.
The figures since 2000 show that 496 children put into HSE accommodation had disappeared after being placed in care by the Department of Justice, 434 of which remain missing.
Mr Naughten added: "The Government must immediately end the practice of placing separated children into hostels without proper care, supervision or standards.
"This dereliction of care on behalf of the State has allowed those who wanted to exploit and abuse children in the past to go undetected."
In April an early-warning 'Amber Alert' system to find children abducted or missing in Ireland was given the go-ahead after years of campaigning.
Justice Minister Dermot Ahern launched the system, named after the American model of rapid response to find children.
The move came after the Garda Inspectorate made 18 recommendations in a report, including the need for gardaí to work more closely with the media and foreign police.
(DW/BMcC)
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Fine Gael Director of Elections for the Children's Referendum Campaign, Minister Leo Varadkar TD, has today said that Kathy Sinnott and others campaigning for a No vote are making up statistics on children in care that are entirely false.
FG Accuses 'No' Vote Campaigners Of Making Up Statistics
Fine Gael Director of Elections for the Children's Referendum Campaign, Minister Leo Varadkar TD, has today said that Kathy Sinnott and others campaigning for a No vote are making up statistics on children in care that are entirely false.
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HSE Responds To 'Cover-Up' Allegations
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HSE Responds To 'Cover-Up' Allegations
The HSE has this morning responded to allegations it has operated a 'cover-up' over the deaths of children who were under its care. Today's statement comes the day after Health Secretary Mary Harney dismissed claims that the HSE was involved in a cover-up over unpublished reports on child deaths from opposition leader Enda Kenny.
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Almost 70,000 Carers To Receive Respite Grant This Year
Almost 70,000 carers are due to receive the Respite Care Grant, the majority of them this week. The annual grant of €1,700 is available to all carers providing full-time care and attention to an older person or a person with a disability, regardless of their means or social insurance contributions.
Almost 70,000 Carers To Receive Respite Grant This Year
Almost 70,000 carers are due to receive the Respite Care Grant, the majority of them this week. The annual grant of €1,700 is available to all carers providing full-time care and attention to an older person or a person with a disability, regardless of their means or social insurance contributions.
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Secure Children's Facility To Be Closed
The State's main secure unit for housing highly disruptive children and young people is to be closed as concerns emerge that the facility is "not fit for purpose". The Special Care Unit in Ballydowd, west Dublin, cost €13 million to build nine years ago and has been used to detain up to 18 children and young people.
Secure Children's Facility To Be Closed
The State's main secure unit for housing highly disruptive children and young people is to be closed as concerns emerge that the facility is "not fit for purpose". The Special Care Unit in Ballydowd, west Dublin, cost €13 million to build nine years ago and has been used to detain up to 18 children and young people.
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Almost 200 Children Missing From Care
The Health Service Executive has revealed 193 children in State care went missing between January and July of this year. Figures released on Friday said that more than half of those who went missing were returned to care on the same day and the vast majority, 88%, were returned to care after two days. Meanwhile.
Almost 200 Children Missing From Care
The Health Service Executive has revealed 193 children in State care went missing between January and July of this year. Figures released on Friday said that more than half of those who went missing were returned to care on the same day and the vast majority, 88%, were returned to care after two days. Meanwhile.
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