The HSE's National Director for Children and Family Services has welcomed plans by the Government to set up a new agency to oversee child protection and welfare services.
Gordon Jeyes said clarity on the development would come rapidly as it is a Government priority.
He also said he expected all children in care to have access to social workers this year.
When asked about the number of children who had died while in State care, he said every death was one too many but added that the numbers were not out of kilter with other jurisdictions.
He also questioned whether it was the best use of resources to investigate the deaths of children who had been in care and who had died from natural causes.
He said that the criteria set by the Health Information and Quality Authority was broader than in other jurisdictions.
Mr Jeyes also said he wanted to create a new category of missing children, which would be categorised as children missing and in danger.
He said he did not believe resources were being used as effectively as they could be.
Overall, he said, the culture in the HSE had been very defensive and he would like more information shared unless it was not in the interests of families.
