The foster family who looked after Daniel Aruebose for the first 18 months of his life have said they are devastated by his disappearance.
Speaking to The Journal, his foster sister said that he was always in their thoughts after he was returned to his family and they deeply missed him when he was gone.
New pictures from his foster family show that Daniel was a beautiful, happy, clever and healthy child.
His foster sister said that he loved to sing and dance and was an important part of their family.
Human skeletal remains were found in north Co Dublin yesterday as part of the search for Daniel, who went missing over four years ago when he was around three years old.
A detailed forensic examination is continuing of open ground in Donabate, where the discovery was made.
Gardaí are examining the area in and around where the remains were found to ensure they have gathered all skeletal, evidential and forensic material.
A paediatric post-mortem examination is to be conducted to establish the cause of death, which make take some time.
Detectives hope it will indicate whether it was accidental, from natural causes or related to something more sinister.
DNA samples will be taken to confirm the child's identity.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the discovery of the remains was "deeply, deeply shocking and sad".
Speaking at the National Ploughing Championships in Co Offaly, Mr Martin said that people were "deeply saddened" by the development.
"We have to await further investigations by the gardaí and by others into the background here to then inform us in terms of how we take this forward, and also in terms of looking at our systems ... in terms of following and tracking young people and children in a society where the population is growing.
"There is more fluidity and movement in people from area to area, or in and out of the country, and that's more of a modern phenomenon than perhaps would have been the case in the past.
"To the best of my knowledge the child was not in care at the time the child went missing. There are issues that we will examine, but we have to do it in an evidence-based and informed manner.
"But it's very, very sad," Mr Martin said.
However, he expressed concern about the "rush to judgement" regarding Daniel.
There are lots of "very genuine" people working in Tusla who are "flat out", the Taoiseach said.
"We need to learn from what has happened. It's shocking. It's very poignant and very sad to see a young, beautiful child go missing and to die.
"We don't know the full circumstances as to how Daniel died but it speaks to the heart of all of us as parents that something like that has happened and it is a reflection on wider society and all of us."
'Heartbreaking' case raised in Dáil
Aontú leader Peader Tóibín asked what the Government was doing to protect children like Daniel.
"Daniel Aruebose's remains were found in Donabate yesterday. He had been in State care but he was returned to his family and it appears that there were no follow up checks," he told the Dáil.
"It's absolutely heartbreaking to see such a young boy lose his life.
He said: "The reality is the Government has not been listening to the experts on this."
Mr Tóibín asked Tánaiste Simon Harris if the coalition will "ensure that we have the power in this country to protect children?"
In response, Mr Harris acknowledged that "there's a hell of a lot more that needs to be done" in terms of child protection.
He said that it is "the Government's intention to bring forward legislation around the Childcare Act which will be looking at the powers of Tusla and indeed how it operates with other State agencies."
Ministers would "be very eager" to engage with the Opposition "on what steps can be taken next," Mr Harris added.
'Daniel was failed in life', Dáil told
The issue was also raised by deputy leader of the Social Democrats Cian O'Callaghan who said that "something very seriously went wrong" in relation to Daniel Aruebose.
Tusla is conducting a rapid review of the case, which has been referred to the National Review Panel, something Mr O’Callaghan described as "not good enough".
He said that an independent statutory review was the bare minimum that children like Daniel deserve.
"This is not to apportion blame. It’s to find out what went wrong to make sure it never happens again, to prevent more children disappearing and dying.
"Daniel was failed in life, let’s not fail in him in death," he said.
Mr Harris said the Government was committed to a review and it must happen as quickly as possible.
"The point of putting it (National Review Panel) on a statuary footing is entirely accepted by Government and is a valid point.
"I think it would be extraordinarily foolish for Government to rule out any action that may be required in relation to this situation.
"This has shook our country to its core, it’s deeply distressing what’s happened, and it’s even more distressing now when we see the name and the face of the little boy, Daniel."
Vigil planned in Daniel's memory
Labour Party Councillor Corina Johnston said the community in Donabate is devastated.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, she said the search site is close to two primary schools, a walkway and a cycle path.
"A lot of children are asking questions the last couple of weeks, so it has been a very, very difficult time for this community."
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Ms Johnston said there are "plans" for another vigil in Daniel's memory, which will likely be announced in the coming days.
She said the State "has questions to answer" and a public inquiry is needed.
"This can't happen again. This is an absolutely horrific tragedy and we cannot see this happen again to another child in this State.
Read more:
What we know so far about the case of Daniel Aruebose
"Anyone that has any information that may be able to assist the gardaí in their investigation, I'm appealing for them to come forward.
"I'm also calling for the minister to provide supports for the many children, teachers and support staff in our local schools who are traumatised and have been asking questions over the last couple of weeks," Cllr Johnston said.
