Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:597. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the current number of children in State care; and the steps her Department is taking to protect them from harm. [71835/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 18 December 2025
Ceisteanna (597)
Freagraí scríofa
I can advise the Deputy that Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, reported a total of 5,866 children in care at the end of October 2025. Compared with the same period in 2024, this represents a 2% increase in the number of children in the care of the State.
5,054, or 86% of those children were in foster care, either relative foster care or general foster care. 598 children, or just over 10%, were in a residential care placement. The remaining 222 children were reported as being in "other" placements, for example in supported lodgings, or a disability unit, or a special emergency arrangement.
In respect of protecting children in care from harm, the Child Care Act 1991 is the primary piece of legislation governing the alternative care system. The Act is a wide-ranging piece of legislation, which, at its core, seeks to promote the welfare of children who may not be receiving adequate care and protection.
Consequently, the Act sets out a detailed statutory framework, which includes but is not limited to provisions requiring Tusla to have regard to the best interests of the child, the thresholds for bringing children into care, the types of placements where they may be cared for, and the responsibilities of the State in respect of looking after these children.
It is worth noting that the child protection and welfare landscape in Ireland has changed greatly since the Act’s commencement, and like any other piece of legislation it requires updating from time to time. In the case of the 1991 Act, it is important to reflect changes in the child welfare and protection sector in Ireland and capture current legislative, policy and practice developments.
As Minister for Children, I recently sought and received cabinet approval to publish the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2025. This Bill will better align Ireland’s legislation with the requirements of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and give further effect to Article 42A of the Constitution on the rights of the child. It contains new measures to strengthen inter-agency co-operation and national coordination on child protection. Designated public bodies will be required to proactively collaborate and share information to deliver more coordinated and effective services. This will strengthen to State’s ability to keep children in care safe from harm, and ensure that they have the supports they need to achieve their potential.
The placement of children in alternative care is also governed by Regulations and Standards for Foster Care, Residential Care, and Special Care. These Regulations and Standards set out the detailed criteria against which Tusla is inspected in its provision of alternative care services. The application of these Regulations and Standards promotes safe and high-quality practice in alternative care.
I will continue to work closely with Tusla and with other stakeholders to improve the delivery of high-quality care to children and young people.