Clare Fm - Podcasts

Children in this region are reportedly being "warehoused" by the State as the appropriate care isn't in place. A new report compiled by the Child Law Project entitled 'Falling Through the Cracks' has shone a light on the failings of child protection in Ireland, identifying shortages in both foster and residential care placements and labelling the HSE's response to children with issues such as mental health as "dismal". It's led to calls for a new national strategy on child protection involving a new placement model of high support for children with complex needs as well as those at risk of exploitation or trafficking. Executive Director of the Child Law Project and Adjunct Professor of Law at University of Galway School of Law Dr Carol Coulter claims vulnerable children are being placed in entirely unsuitable settings in many case.