The conclusions of a report on State child-care policy prepared for the Department of Health and Children, and seen by The Irish Times, highlight "the lack of planning and structure" endemic in the system, according to a leading campaigner on homelessness.
Sister Stanislaus Kennedy, president of Focus Ireland, said the State's "failure to look after children in its care properly is contributing directly to homelessness".
"I cannot but agree with the conclusion of Mr Mike Laxton in his review of current practices and policies in child care that dysfunctional and inadequate families are being looked after by dysfunctional and inadequate services," she said.
Sister Stanislaus called for "a comprehensive national child-care policy and plan, for co-ordination between Government departments dealing with children and for structured individual care plans for children with adequate resources and support".