Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 November 2025
537. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department monitors the ownership structures, beneficial owners or corporate arrangements of limited companies contracted by Tusla to provide child care placements. [64892/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy 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 my 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. Tusla provides these services, through a mix of residential centres owned and operated by Tusla, as well as centres operated by NGOs 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.
