Child Protection

Tuesday, 14 July 2026

Questions (662)

Ken O'Flynn

Question:

662. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to Parliamentary Questions Nos.1606 and 1614 of 9 June 2026, (details supplied), to confirm whether a defined threshold or escalation trigger exists for repeated placement breakdowns, and, if so, the threshold; whether the 328 figure, or equivalent data on repeat placements, is reported through any national governance, risk register or safeguarding framework, and, if not, the reason; whether any formal review is automatically triggered once a child reaches a third or greater placement; and when Tusla expects its data management and reporting systems, referenced in the reply to 42684/26, to be capable of answering these questions. [52949/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality

I would like to thank the Deputy for this question regarding placement stability for children in the care of the State.

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is statutorily independent in the performance of its functions under Section 8(11) of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013.

While Tusla has not advised of a specific escalation trigger, the Agency has stated that the third or greater placement is taken as an indicator of overall placement stability. Tusla has further advised that decisions in relation to placement changes are considered at child in care reviews by qualified professionals, and take into account the best interests of the child.

Tusla has developed a policy and operational document relating to permanency planning and stability for children in care, the Pathways to Permanency Handbook. This document supports social work practitioners and decision makers in their aim to ensure stable and safe care placements for children.

The number of children in their third or greater placement, as well as further detailed information in relation to stability of placements for children in care is reported in Tusla’s annual Review of Adequacy report, which is publicly available on the Tusla website: www.tusla.ie/publications/review-of-adequacy-reports/