Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 March 2017
373. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked 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]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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
|
Year |
Cause of Death |
Total |
|||
|
Natural Causes |
Homicide |
Suicide |
Drug Overdose |
||
|
2011 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
2012 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
|
2013 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
|
2014 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
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)
|
Causes of Death, as notified to the National Review Panel |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
Natural Causes |
6 |
8 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
|
Suicide |
4 |
3 |
9 |
4 |
8 |
|
Road Traffic Accident |
4 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
5 |
|
Other – Accidental |
2 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
|
Drug Overdose |
4 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Homicide |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
|
Cause of Death to be Verified |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
|
Total |
22 |
15 |
23 |
17 |
26 |
|
Number of Serious Incidents |
8 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
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.
