By Daniel McConnell, Political Editor
Garda Commissioner Nóirín O'Sullivan has told the Public Accounts Committee that she has ordered an investigation into allegations State employees may have acted in a criminal manner when placing vulnerable individuals with a foster family in the southeast.
It is not clear is this investigation is separate to to ongoing criminal probes into the placing of disabled children in the foster home, where some of the most "savage" rape and abuse took place.
Last week, the PAC referred the matter to the Commissioner's office, particularly about the alleged possible criminal misconduct by State employees citing evidence social workers had raised concerns inside the health service about placements in the home.
Environment Minister Alan Kelly is the latest minister to say he would not rule out the possibility of a public inquiry being held into the abuse case.
He described the case as "shocking" and said he was "very surprised" at the manner in which the case was being dealt with.
The Irish Examiner first revealed the story of how the HSE first admitted liability for the failings in the care of a young woman, known as 'Grace', who spent 13 years in a foster home despite the facility being subject to serious sex abuse allegations.
The HSE has been forced to admit that it failed to apologise directly to Grace, despite initially insisting it had done so.
Yesterday, the HSE revealed that another young person remained in the foster care setting at the centre of these allegations after the removal of 'Grace' in 2009.
This placement ceased in October 2013 following advice from the HSE that there were historical concerns relating to the care of children in the home.
In a written response to the PAC sent last Friday, the Commissioner’s private secretary said the matter has been forwarded to the Deputy Commissioner with responsibility for Operations.
PAC member and Fine Gael TD for Waterford John Deasy said it was necessary the people responsible for what allegedly happened in the foster home accounted for themselves.
This morning, the chairperson of the Irish Association of Social Workers Donal O'Malley said he is not confident there are enough safeguards in place to prevent another case like that of 'Grace' happening again.
