The government must stop breaking the law when it comes to protecting vulnerable children and act on the latest report recommending reform of the care system, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly.
Deputy Farrelly, who’s the party’s spokesperson on children, said:
“An external review of special care commissioned by Tusla has found that the system is in crisis, with a severe shortage of beds and staffing at the country’s three special care centres.
“This is far from the first alarm sounded for a dysfunctional special care system – there has been report after report telling how broken these structures are.
“Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has been hauled before the courts – on multiple occasions – for breaking the law by failing to protect vulnerable children.
“Last week, the tragic consequences of that kind of state failure were highlighted at the inquest of Daniel McAnaspie, who was just 17 when he was murdered.
“Daniel had more than 20 care placements in the 15 months prior to his death – three separate applications had been made for him to be placed in secure care accommodation, but all of these were refused due to a lack of beds.
“Since Daniel’s murder, there have been multiple reports and High Court warnings that vulnerable children in a “tsunami” of cases are being put at risk by a system that is breaking at the seams. Yet nothing has been done to stop vulnerable children like Daniel from falling through the cracks.
“As it stands, there are just 26 beds at the State’s three secure care facilities – Daniel McAnaspie’s inquest was told last week that we need at least 70.
“Of the 26 available, just 14 are available due to staffing difficulties, and right now, today, there are five children waiting for such a placement – five children whose lives and wellbeing are being consciously endangered by State neglect and failure.
“The government must take immediate action to increase the special care system’s capacity by bolstering staffing levels and creating new beds – adequate salaries and better protection must be introduced to tackle the recruitment and retention crisis in the sector.
“I will be asking for Tusla to be invited before the Children & Equality Committee to examine the provision of special care and related matters as part of our work programme.
“Every day that passes without measures being taken to end this dire situation, harm is being done – without action, there’s a serious risk of history repeating itself.”
May 21st, 2025