Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 June 2025
704. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will review correspondence (details supplied); her views on the proposal, and any potential supports or avenues of engagement that may be available to assist with its development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34214/25]
View answerStatutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of alternative care services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Tusla is independent in both its procurement and operation of such services. Engagement between Tusla and an organisation providing or potentially providing alternative care services on its behalf is an operational matter for the Agency, and I as Minister have no role in this regard.
Tusla’s Strategic Plan for Residential Care Services 2022-2025 includes efforts by Tusla to increase capacity in residential care over the period, and my Department is committed to working with the Agency in this regard. My Department will continue to prioritise residential care in the ongoing capital investment funding engagements with the Department of Public Expenditure, in the next iteration of the National Development Plan.
