Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 May 2026
471. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on her Department's response to the November 2025 HIQA report on the Tusla Dublin north city area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35960/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HIQA findings from its inspection of Tusla’s Dublin North City service area in June 2025 have been escalated within the Department. Tusla has stated that since the time of the inspection, it has made significant improvements and rectified almost all areas highlighted by HIQA, with any remaining actions being addressed as a matter of priority.
Tusla has submitted an action plan to address all areas outlined for improvement as a matter of urgency. This plan was accepted by HIQA and is well underway, with significant progress made in each of the standards assessed.
Following the inspection, Tusla’s Practice Assurance and Service Monitoring team completed a 12-month full audit of child-in-care referrals categorised as abuse to ensure screening, assessment, and notifications were completed as required. Tusla increased the number of social workers at the ‘front door’ of the service area from three to eight, and 94% of child protection and welfare referrals in Dublin North City are now being screened within two working days.
Tusla has also undertaken a review of the governance structure and oversight processes in the service area relating to the receipt and management of referrals and case allocation in accordance with relevant policy, procedures, and guidance. All other actions in the compliance plan associated with strengthening and reinforcing governance and oversight in the area are either completed or being actively addressed.
Budget 2026 saw Tusla receive increased funding of €165m to continue providing vital child welfare and family support services bringing its funding up by 14 per cent to €1.37 billion.
In total, Tusla is funded to have over 3,200 social workers and social care workers in 2026 to deal with over 100,000 referrals annually.
Budget 2026 includes funding for innovative “earn and learn” social work and social care work apprenticeship courses programmes and sponsorship. University College Cork introduced two new pathways into social work in 2024, which is expected to increase annual graduate output by 20%.
In relating to the difficulties in recruiting additional social workers, there is a commitment in the programme for Government to double the number of college places for social workers. In June the Government approved an expansion in training places for a range of health and social care professionals. This will provide up to 361 additional student places by 2028, including college places for social workers.
