The Chilren’s Minister is being asked to explain how a 16 year old boy was left in an internet cafe on Tuesday night last because the HSE had nowhere suitable to accommodate him.

Alan Shatter has told the Dail that the boy, who was no longer in the education system and was becoming drug dependent, was waiting for a psychiatric assessment.

He’s also raised concerns about a number of other teenagers being dealt with by the social care system.

Deputy Shatter has asked the Children’s Minister Barry Andrews to investigate how the 16 year old was left alone overnight.

“This young man could potentially be another Tracey Fay and I’m asking you to intervene to find out what’s happening with regards to this young man” he said.

“How any 16 year old could be left overnight in an internet cafe; a troubled young person who needs serious, coherent, co-ordinated intervention and who is being failed”.

“Emergency social workers who are dealing with this young man are at their wits end to get response from management within the HSE” he added.