THE HEALTH Service Executive (HSE) has said 37 children died while in the care of the State in the 10 years from January 1st, 2000, to April 30th, 2010.
The executive said yesterday that 18 children died of unnatural causes and 19 children died of natural causes and health complaints.
A list compiled by the HSE shows there have been five suicides, two unlawful killings, five drug-related deaths, three on the roads and three from other types of accidents over the past decade.
“Based on clear definitions, that include children who died of natural causes, we have prepared a comprehensive list which includes 37 children who died in care during the 10-year period of natural and unnatural causes,” the HSE said in a statement.
The HSE has completed the list two months after the Government set up an independent review group to investigate the deaths of children while in State care. This followed publication of a leaked HSE report into the death of Tracey Fay (18), which severely criticised the childcare services for failing the teenager.
The figure of 37 deaths is significantly more than the 23 quoted by Minister for Health Mary Harney and senior HSE managers just 24 hours before publication of the new list. HSE chief executive Brendan Drumm said last night some local health areas had not previously logged natural deaths of children while in State care but this would not be a problem in the future.
In a statement, the Minister of State for Children and Youth Affairs, Barry Andrews criticised the ten weeks it took the HSE to hand over the figures, which he requested in March.
He said it was a matter of deep concern that there was a significant difference between the original figures of 23 presented and the higher number announced.
“The overall discrepancy between the figures reported raises serious questions about the management of information in the HSE in an extremely sensitive area and I will be requiring both an explanation and assurances from the board and senior management in the HSE,” he added.
Mr Andrews said he was also awaiting information on the death of any child known to the HSE child protection system and the death of young adults in the care of the HSE in the period immediately prior to their 18th birthday.
“I am informed by the HSE that this information will be available by Friday June 4th,” he said.
Fine Gael TD Alan Shatter said the disclosure of a 60 per cent increase in the numbers of deaths provided by the HSE was an indictment of its incompetence and failure. It also reflected the failure of the Government to ensure the proper monitoring and governance of childcare and protection services, Mr Shatter added.
The HSE said it was now drawing up a list of all those children and young adults who were known to the child protection services and who died.
It should be in a position to clarify this list within a week, “subject to agreement with all parties as to which children are included”. Talks are continuing between the officials at the Department of Health and the HSE on the exact definition of children “known to” childcare services.
Meanwhile, Ombudsman for Children Emily Logan called on the Government to clarify the application of the in-camera rule by State bodies, which she said had been invoked in the past to block some of her investigations.
“My office’s experience with the operation of the in-camera rule in the context of carrying out statutory investigations has varied from full and open disclosure of the information to the refusal to disclose important documentation, which hinders the progress of an investigation in a timely manner,” she said in a letter to Mr Cowen.