The Independent Review Group on Child Deaths (IRGCD) was established in March 2010to examine the results of completed reviews of deaths of children in care over the last ten years. The Group is composed of Ms Norah Gibbons and Mr. Geoffrey Shannon. A third independent person of international standing will be appointed once the Group has completed an initial examination of documentation received from the HSE. The Group has been asked to complete its work within a six months timeframe and by year end at the latest. The Report of the Review Group will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas and published.
The categories of deaths to be reported on are as follows: (i) children in care; (ii) children known to the HSE child protection system; (iii) young adults (up to 21 years of age) who were in the care of the HSE in the period immediately prior to their 18th birthday or were in receipt of aftercare services under Section 45 of the Child Care Act, 1991. These include the category identified by the Deputy.