Sixty children either known to or in the care of the HSE died between 2010 and 2012, an independent review 
has revealed.
An examination of how the cases were handled by social services suggested that there had been poor co-operation between State agencies and sub-standard assessments of vulnerable children’s needs, the Irish Times reports.
The report, published on Thursday, showed that 23 children who were in contact with HSE social services died in 2012, with most deaths as a result of suicide (9), followed by natural causes (7), accidents (6) or homicide (1).
Twenty two children known to or in the care of the HSE died in 2010, while 15 died in 2011.
Of these, two died by homicide in 2010, with a further four dying from suicide. Four died from drug overdoses, and six from natural causes, while six died from road traffic and other accidents.
In 2011, three children in State care died by suicide, with two dying from drug over doses. A further three died from road traffic or other accidents. Eight died from natural causes.
Most of the children or young people were living with families who were known to child protection services. A small number were either in the care system or in after-care.
The report said there was evidence of weaknesses in management and social work practice although it found no evidence that action or inaction by the HSE played a “direct contributory factor” in the child or young person’s death,.
In as many as one-third of cases reviewed last year, social work services were struggling to deal with the volume of work being referred to them.
Overall, there was very mixed evidence of co-operation between agencies. In more than half the cases, it found, inter-agency reviews would have assisted in the management of cases.
A small but significant number of reviews found that young people who died had been placed with relatives who had not been adequately supported to deal with challenging behaviour displayed by the children.
Since 2010, the HSE is obliged to notify the Health Information and Quality Authority of deaths involving children in care.
These cases are examined by a national review panel whose function is to determine the quality of services available to individual children or young people prior to their deaths.
Dr Helen Buckley, chairwoman of the review panel, said there were “very disturbing” findings in a small number of deaths.
Overall, she said the cases demonstrated both the strengths and weaknesses of the child protection system.
“Some were already very ill before they came into contact with the services, others had mental health and behavioural problems and some young people habitually engaged in risk-taking behaviour,” she said.
She expressed particular concern over the number of children who have died from suicide – 16 young people since 2010 – and those who refuse to engage with services offered to them.
Paul Harrison, head of policy for HSE child and family services, said there was “significant learning” to be derived from the reviews, including the importance of early intervention.
He said the creation of the new Child and Family Agency – due early next year – will provide an opportunity for services to work closely together and improve outcomes for children.