The Taoiseach does not believe that Tusla should be subject to an independent review as he believes it will paralyse the organisation, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly.
Deputy Farrelly said:
“The volume of social workers in Tusla who have gotten in touch and expressed their concern about recently undertaken reforms is a cause for urgent concern, as is the number of judges who have voiced their frustration at the inaction surrounding court orders and the conditions in Special Emergency Arrangements.
“Today, I asked Taoiseach Micheál Martin on the floor of the Dáil if he had full and unreserved confidence in Tusla.
“In response, the Taoiseach evaded the question, stating that ‘…it’s great calling for reviews,’ but ‘if we keep putting every organisation under every microscope,’ that it will ‘paralyse organisations.’
“Tusla is already paralysed, as many of its social workers will tell you; to choose not to address this matter condemns the organisation to remaining that way ad infinitum.
“I believe that something as important as the care of Ireland’s most vulnerable children is something that should be scrutinised to the utmost degree, and that if an organisation will be paralysed if it is subject to an independent review, then that organisation is not fit for purpose.
“The Taoiseach has admitted that he would rather Tusla operates in its current dysfunctional form, one which places children at risk, rather than identify and address the issues it faces head on.
“We must be able to trust Tusla’s governance, its culture, and, most importantly, its operational ability. That trust has been broken too many times.
“To answer the question which the Taoiseach evaded, I no longer have full and unreserved trust in Tusla, and I believe urgent action must be taken to take children out of harm’s way.
“In his reply, the Taoiseach said that ‘we need to care for children today, tomorrow, and the day after’ – I couldn’t agree with him more, and it is for this reason that a complete independent review of Tusla must be initiated.”
April 28th, 2026