Figures show 30% increase in children removed from homes for safety

There has been a 30 per cent increase in the number of children being removed from family homes for their own safety, according to Garda figures.

This serious action is only permitted when there is an “immediate and serious risk” to the child if they remain at home.

A total of 1,240 such cases were recorded in 2022, compared to 943 in 2021 and 766 in 2017, the Irish Examiner reports.

The Garda Annual Report revealed there were 103 such cases per month last year. There were 73 cases per month between 2019 and 2021.

Section 12 of the Child Care Act means gardaí can “take a child to safety” if there is a serious and immediate risk to a child's health and welfare in the home.

The report said there were almost 54,000 domestic abuse calls last year, compared to 49,500 in 2021.