An unending string of damning reports has made it impossible to have full and unreserved trust in Tusla, and action must be taken to take children out of harm’s way, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly.
Deputy Farrelly said:
“Today’s report from the Health Information and Quality Authority, which found that children were engaging in regular illicit substance use at a Tusla residential centre, is shocking but not surprising.
“The centre, which is in the south-west of the country, failed to meet all five standards it was assessed for – Hiqa has issued an urgent compliance plan to curb immediate risks to the safety, health and welfare of children living there.
“It has sadly gotten to the point that reports like these are to be expected every time the lid is lifted on our child and family agency – it’s become normalised for Tusla to fail to run a service which complies with safeguarding standards for the children in its care.
“The volume of social workers in Tusla who have gotten in touch and expressed their concern about the state of the agency 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.
“Last week, I asked Taoiseach Micheál Martin to commit to an independent review of Tusla. In response, the Taoiseach said that this would be a mistake as it would ‘paralyse’ the organisation.
“The Government is choosing to look away when reports like Hiqa’s are raised, preferring to ignore Tusla’s problems and the risks they present rather than recognising the seriousness of the agency’s condition and the problems which have developed under their watch.
“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.
“I am once again urging the Government to stop sweeping Tusla’s issues under the rug and commit to a thorough examination of its governance structure, capacity and standards by conducting an independent review at the nearest possible opportunity.”
May 7th, 2026