The charity has welcomed the resumption of the work of the Child Law Project, which yesterday published its first volume of case reports since July 2024.

Tanya Ward, chief executive of the Children’s Rights Alliance, said: “It is publications like today’s that drive home just how vital the work of the Child Law Project is.

“The Project lifts the lid on child protection proceedings and highlights important learnings for the State in terms of best practice and solutions that are delivering better outcomes and more positive experiences for young people.

“However, there are significant and serious systemic issues that continue to blight the lives of children and young people in the care system.”

She continued: “Child protection is everyone’s responsibility, and it is positive to see reports of children thriving in foster care placements. The majority of the cases, however, point to haunting gaps within the State’s response to children in need of care.

“They reveal a system under severe pressure to provide an appropriate response for children and young people in desperate need.

“The scramble to find placements alongside the ongoing challenge to recruit social workers, social care workers and foster carers means the system is constantly fire-fighting and chasing to close gaps.”

The government “cannot shy away from the fact that the current response to children in need is not meeting the mark”, she warned.

“Even in cases where the State is being made aware of the risks to a child, Tusla does not have sufficient specialist placements with experienced staff so the situation deteriorates.

“Of serious concern to us are the cases published today of young girls and also a mother allegedly being trafficked and exploited.

“In one instance, we see the assertion that the inadequate training of staff in an emergency unit contributed to the lack of a safety net for a vulnerable girl at risk of trafficking.

“The State has a legal and moral obligation to ensure children are protected from all forms of exploitation.

“We need a more sophisticated approach to meet the care needs of children at risk of trafficking including the development of a ‘safe house’ in which a child’s movement and communications may be lawfully restricted.

“These could be examined by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality as part of its work on a national policy framework on alternative care.”

The publication of the case reports “should add urgency to the work of all stakeholders”, Ms Ward added.

“The instability experienced by some children in this volume is a real worry. One child had experienced eight placements, and an 11-year old was in his fifth special emergency arrangement (SEA).

“This is a red flag that we have failed to enable the child to experience safety and stability in their childhood and to establish connections with trusted adults and peers.

“We should be wanting and working for more from our child protection system.”