Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
922. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether any comparative cost analysis has been undertaken between Tusla-operated residential care placements and privately operated placements; if so, to provide the findings; and if not, whether such analysis will be undertaken. [34142/26]
View answerThank you for this question.
May I refer you to my response to my response to your PQ reference 21244/26 which set out the following:-
As a key cost driver in Tusla, residential care is subject to ongoing monitoring.
You may be aware that the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service supported by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and Tusla previously conducted a spending review specifically looking at Tusla residential care costs.
See link below:
https://www.gov.ie/en/irish-government-economic-and-evaluation-service-igees/igees-publication/tusla-residential-care-costs/
This was a comprehensive look across the residential care landscape. Monitoring of costs in Residential Care is a feature of regular engagement between the Department, the Agency and the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.
Tusla engages with the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General and provides them with material requested and necessary for audits to be performed and queries to be satisfied.
