HSE criticised for failure to release report into alleged child abuse at foster home

The committee discussed the failure to release a report into the alleged rape of dozens of children in a foster home and the handling of the affair by health service officials.

Committee vice-chairman John Deasy raised the issue and said he had been notified that the HSE had missed a deadline to release the report into allegations of horrific abuse set by the Information Commissioner.

Mr Deasy said the delay "flies in the face" of recent claims by HSE director general Tony O'Brien that he wished to see the report released.

The Waterford TD sought the committee to immediately raise the issue with the Department of Health and the HSE to have the report release.

The Committee agreed to this request.

Mr Deasy has previously alleged at PAC that "a clique of HSE managers" helped to cover up the allegations, which span two decades.

Many of the children at the centre of the claims had intellectual disabilities.

The HSE has denied any cover-up and said health officials stopped placing children with the foster home, which is in the south-east, after allegations were made in 1993.

However, some children at the home were not removed.