The number of confirmed case of child abuse and neglect in the country rose by 20 percent from 2006 to 2008 according to the latest figures.

According to the HSE there were 2,164 cases in 2008 compared with 1797 cases in 2006.

Neglect accounted for 44 percent of cases, physical abuse 22 percent, emotional abuse 20 percent and sexual abuse 13 percent.

The figures are found in the latest ‘State of the Nation’s Children Report’ launched by Children’s Minister Barry Andrews yesterday.

Caroline Kingston of the ISPCC told The Irish Examiner that between 20,000 and 25,000 children per annum are referred to the HSE’s child protection and referral services.

Meanwhile, according to The Sunday Business Post, 22 more minors have died under State-watch since last March alone. A further eight have attempted suicide or overdosed on drugs.

The total number of children who have died in the ten years to May 2010 while in State-care or in contact with the State care services is at least 200.

Fine Gael justice spokesman Alan Shatter said the figures were ‘‘alarming.

This is not historical Ireland. It is happening today. The child protection system is entirely dysfunctional. Some of those children could Have been saved if we had a better system in place.”