The Irish Times reports that vulnerable children in Ireland’s care system are spending up to three years in “unregulated” emergency accommodation because of severe shortages in suitable, regulated placements. These special emergency arrangements, often hotels, B&Bs, rented apartments or other settings run by private operators, lack formal inspection and oversight by the Health Information and Quality Authority, raising concerns about inadequate staffing, lack of appropriate care, and whether children even have their own bedrooms. As of early January, more than 150 children were in these emergency settings, including both children from mainstream services and separated children seeking international protection, prompting a Dublin District Court judge to call for an end to the use of unregulated placements.