In response to a parliamentary question, the Minister for Children has said there is no plan to conduct a review of Tusla, despite recent reports that the agency is failing to report cases of alleged child abuse to the Gardaí, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly.
Deputy Farrelly said:
“I wrote to the Minister for Children asking her to commission an independent review of Tusla after it was found that suspected cases of child abuse were not referred to Gardaí for over three months, or, in some cases, at all.
“I am disappointed to see this response from the Minister. Tusla has undertaken a significant internal reform programme, and we have seen countless examples of where the practice and resource allocation has fallen short of what is acceptable.
“For the Minister to refuse outright any consideration of a review of Tusla, joined by the Taoiseach who recently responded to me in a concerning, negative fashion when I suggested the same to him, is regrettable.
“Citing the Comptroller and Auditor General and the Children’s Ombudsman as regulatory authorities which review the effectiveness of Tusla is simply misleading. The role of the Auditor, whilst essential, never considers the work or standards of Tusla, only its expenditure.
“Minister for Children Norma Foley must reverse this decision and take the situation into hand by commissioning an independent review of Tusla so that the agency’s shortcomings can be identified and addressed.
“It has never been clearer that Tusla is not operating in a manner which is fit for purpose. Children in care are in harm’s way, and the Minister’s refusal to act is a gross abdication of duty.”
June 18th, 2026