There are reportedly over 5,800 children in care.
New figures show that nearly half of the children and young people who died in State care within the last 10 years died of suicide or drug overdoses.
According to the Irish Times, 42 children and young people died in the care system between 2010 and 2019, with 12 of those deaths caused by suicide and six by drug overdose.
The care system includes foster homes and residential centres, as well as aftercare support services those within the system can avail of after turning 18.
Those who died included young adults over the age of 18 who had been availing of such services.
The National Review Panel (NRP), which is responsible for examining deaths of children known to child-protection services or in care, said a lack of access to relevant support services was a huge problem for those who died.
Dr Helen Buckley, chair of the NRP, said the panel had been “critical” of problems in securing mental health supports for young people.
Many of those who died by suicide did so during a period of “vulnerability” after they turned 18, she said.
The figures were prompted by a parliamentary query from Aontú TD Peadar Tóibín, who said: “I genuinely cannot get my head around the fact that 18 children have died by suicide or drug overdose in the care of the State.”
Figures from Tusla show there are over 5,800 children in care.
A spokesperson for the agency said that the “death of a child or young person is a tragedy and the agency extends its sympathy to anyone affected by the very sad events”.
If you have been affected by any of the details of this article, you can contact Childline on 1800 66 66 66 or the Samaritans hotline on 01 116 123.
