Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 December 2025
836. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department carried out any governance or financial risk review of subcontracted private residential centres in advance of approving additional funding for Tusla in Budget 2026; and to state the title and completion date of any such review. [71969/25]
View answer838. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department holds any reports, internal briefs or analyses completed since 2023 relating to governance or oversight of private residential centres funded by Tusla; and to outline the purpose of each document. [71971/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 836 and 838 together.
Thank you deputy, for your question.
The department does not directly monitor the ownership structures of companies contracted by Tusla, to provide child care placements. However, it does have regular engagement with Tusla at all levels, to address issues related to the provision of services.
Tusla was established as an independent agency under the aegis of this department, to promote the development, welfare, education and protection of children and young people, and to provide supports to vulnerable children and families.
These services include the provision of residential care placements, through a mix of residential centres owned and operated by Tusla, as well as centres operated by NGO’s and providers in the private sector.
Regarding the provision of placements by external providers, Tusla procures these services in compliance with relevant legislation, procurement rules, and government Circulars in relation to grant funding.
Tusla has procedures in place for the monitoring of service provision. Tusla’s Practice Assurance and Service Monitoring (PASM) team undertakes reviews of Tusla funded services. It conducts practice audits focussing on governance, risk management, and internal control systems. Where issues or concerns arise Tusla takes action to minimise risk.
While residential care centres provided by the private sector is a necessary component of alternative care, this department has secured significant additional investment (Current and Capital), in recent budgets, for Tusla to increase the number of Tusla owned-and-operated residential care centres.
