CHILD care professionals have clashed over whether the contents of the Western Health Board report into the death of Kelly Fitzgerald (15) should have been published.
The Irish Association of Social Workers (IASW) says it is "appalled at the leaking of the report", while the Children's Rights Alliance has called for it to be published in full.
The IASW was "appalled at the leaking of the report of the Kelly Fitzgerald inquiry and the subsequent publicity, which has primarily reflected society's compulsion to attribute blame. In particular, this has taken place before those who contributed voluntarily to the inquiry have had an opportunity to see the report."
The Children's Rights Alliance, which includes child care groups, teachers unions and social agencies, said that the public and professionals must be able to "judge for themselves" and use the learning opportunities presented by the report to improve child protection measures.
We call on the Minister to justify how a refusal to publish this report can be in children's best interests," the alliance says.
It is also calling for an independent inspectorate to investigate the handling of cases of abuse.