The Child and Family Agency says it was notified of 26 deaths and three serious incidents relating to children and young people in care, or who were known to the child protection system, last year.

Tusla has published the National Review Panel's Annual Report 2014.

The agency has also published its reviews of the deaths of two young people, and a report into the deaths from natural causes of six children and young people.

Dr Helen Buckley, Chairperson of the National Review Panel said Tusla will need to address some enduring challenges, including relieving pressure on a system that impacts on the timing and quality of assessment and intervention.

Tusla has developed a number of approaches and inter-agency collaborations, and it has provided additional training for staff, to help them deal with cases more quickly.