Forty children went missing from State care in the first eight months of 2009, according to figures released to Fine Gael’s immigration spokesman Denis Naughten TD.
The information was contained in a parliamentary question from the HSE, and Naughten said that the scandal of children disappearing from State care is growing due to “gross neglect” of the issue by the Children’s Minister and Government.
“A shocking 40 unaccompanied children have gone missing from State care in the first eight months of the year with 36 still missing,” he said. “It is a gross dereliction of duty on behalf of the Government and the State that has seen these children evaporate into thin air.
“Since 2000, 503 children put into HSE accommodation have disappeared after being placed in care by the Department of Justice.
Naughten added: “Of greater concern is the fact that 441 of these young vulnerable children remain missing, yet the Government has failed to put measures in place to protect them.”
