The Health Information and Quality Authority is investigating 19 allegations, some of them sexual, made against foster carers in Dublin.
15 of the allegations relate to carers in Dublin north central, today’s Irish Examiner reports, and four relate to carers in Dublin north west.
The allegations were uncovered during an investigation into seven local health areas, three in Dublin and four in Cork.
The result of the investigation is due to be published in the coming months.
The Health Service Executive is quoted as acknowledging that that what it called ‘anomalies’ had been identified by HIQA.
However, a spokesperson said the HSE would make no further comment until the full report was published.
The allegations come to light after it emerged that a 16-year-old boy awaiting psychiatric assessment was left overnight in an internet cafe by the HSE because there was nowhere else to take him.
The claim was made by Fine Gael children's spokesman Alan Shatter who has demanded immediate action.
Mr Shatter said the boy was no longer in the education system, had fallen into a street life and was becoming drug dependent.
