Dáil Hears 12 Children Known to Child Protection Services Were Murdered In Past Decade
The Aontú leader, Peadar Tóibín TD, has today told the Dáil that over 200 children known to child protection services have died in this State over the past decade. During leaders questions with the Tánaiste this afternoon, Deputy Tóibín said:
“Tánaiste, research we in Aontú have conducted in recent times has found that over 200 children have died who were known to child protection services over the past decade. 200 children.
42 children died while actually in state care and 164 children died while known to child protection services. Half of the children who died while in State care died either by suicide or drug overdose. Twelve children were murdered while known to child protection services over the past decade. During the same period 62 children known to child protection services died by suspected suicide.
I cannot think of anything more shocking, heart-breaking or tragic than a child committing suicide, or a child being murdered, but to think that 12 children were murdered and 62 took their own lives while under the eye of the state is incredible. These are children who should have had their whole lives ahead of them, we’re talking about.
We all heard the powerful contribution from Deputy McGuinness last week regarding the Grace Case. Later today we will again be discussing Mother and Baby Homes, and I look forward to contributing to that debate, looking to ensure that people and institutions are held to account for the suffering and deaths of vulnerable women and children in the care of the State in the past.
While we’re very good at looking back at historic injustices, we must also ensure transparency and accountability today. This is happening in our time. It’s happening under the watch of this government. We can actually do something about this. This is a massive crisis. Last year 70,000 children were referred to Tusla. That’s more than all the children who started school last year. Nearly 5% of children in the state are being referred to Tusla ever year and this is increasing no doubt due to the severe lockdowns that have happened over the last 20 months.
These statistics represent a crisis or tragedy of enormous human proportions. The issue of children being murdered while known to child protection services warrants a full and thorough discussion in the Dáil chamber. What’s being done to reduce the suicide and murder rate among children in State care or known to child protection services, Tánaiste?
How do we fix it? First of all, there is evidence to say that there is a significant correlation between economic and societal disadvantage. At a society level we need to lift communities out of disadvantage and strengthen families. But there are also major difficulties in terms of out of hours state care emergency staff. Only Dublin has access to this resource. Crises do not limit themselves to office hours. There are major difficulties in getting mental health services, addiction services and homelessness services to the children who need them when they need them”, concluded Tóibín.