The Ombudsman for Children has described the level of care provided by the state for separated children living in Ireland as ‘inferior’.

A report, to be published today, reveals many are residing in uninspected privately run hostels, without adequate provisions or supervision.

It also emerged that over 400 children, separated from their parents or guardians, have gone missing while in state care since 2000.

Children’s Ombudsman, Emily Logan, told Breakfast that they’re particularly vulnerable.

“These children come from countries where there are wars, there’s armed conflict” she said.

“Some of the children are trafficked…for sexual exploitation”.

“They’ve nobody behind them to fight and to keep their…issue of being missing alive”.

“It’s astounding to think that there’s very little said about these children – if you think of cases like Maddie McCann, where one child and her parents fight so hard for her” she added.