TAOISEACH ENDA KENNY has told the Dáil that Ireland will do whatever it can, “in so far as is humanly possible,” to prevent any further children dying in the care of the State.

Speaking in the Dáil this afternoon, Kenny rejected accusations that the State “does not have the care of children… as a priority”.

Kenny was responding to questions from Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald, who said it was not clear “why the State cannot guarantee the security and the safety of children in its care”.

“You are not at all forthcoming in reassuring not just this house, but families and children across the State, that the State takes its responsibilities in the care of children seriously.

“If the government is not working to an agenda where every child is safe and secure… I wonder what the new Department [of Children and Youth Affairs] is all about,” she said.

Kenny said he completely rejected the notion that his government “does not have the care of children, and the safety of children, and the comfort of children, as a priority.”

The Dáil exchanges came after it emerged that eight children had died in state care since March of this year.

Read more: Twenty-two young people died while known to child protection services>