100 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Health if he has investigated the circumstances surrounding the recent incident in which children ran away from St. Kyran's Orphanage, Rathdrum, County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6103/96]

I understand from the Eastern Health Board that on 10 March 1996, four children went missing from St. Kyran's residential centre in Rathdrum, County Wicklow.

It would appear that adventure was the motive for absconding. The children were found safe and well by the gardaí the following morning very near the children's home. The children were returned to the home where they are currently happy and well.