Almost half the children who died while in state care over the last decade, passed away from drug overdoses or suicide.
Forty two young people died between 2010 and 2019, twelve of them by suicide and another six by overdose.
In total 206 children and young people, who were in care or who were known to child protection services, died during the same period.
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín says the figures are heart-breaking:
"Twelve of those deaths were by suicide, six were by drug overdose, and one was on the basis of murder. These are shocking figures. They're disaster for the families involved themselves. They are tragedies, you know. It's incredible that it's happening while these children are in state care."
