The NRP was established in 2010 following a recommendation of the Ryan Implementation Report by the Office of the Minister for Children in 2009 and since that time has submitted reports on the deaths of 149 children or young people who were in care or known to child protection services. In addition, the NRP has submitted reports on serious incidents affecting the lives of 25 children. Tusla decides on the publication or otherwise of reports. It has published summaries of 88 NRP reports to date and these are available on the NRP website www.nationalreviewpanel.ie. The NRP has operated on a non-statutory basis since its inception and relies on the cooperation of all stakeholders to facilitate its work.

P.11 Cause of Death Summary 2010 to 2024 - Includes Drug Overdose

P.12 4.3 Deaths from other causes - The next highest (combined) cause of death concerns accidents (16%). These included incidents such as drowning, falls, house fires, domestic and road traffic accidents. Drug overdose accounts for 5% and the numbers vary from year to year. Thirteen homicides were notified to the NRP between 2010 and 2024, accounting for almost 4% of deaths. Where murder or other criminal proceedings are ongoing, the NRP must take particular precautions to avoid interfering with legal processes which impact on the timing of such reviews. Where a coroner or post-mortem has failed to identify a cause of death, this is classified as unknown, which accounts for an average of 9% of deaths. On occasion reviews are delayed whilst awaiting a post-mortem or coroner’s report. 

See also, p.14, table 9 4.5 Causes of death of children and ages of children and young people in care