Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 July 2026
435. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 314 of 15 April 2026, to commission an independent, externally conducted value-for-money review of expenditure on private residential childcare placements; and if not, the reason. [50666/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThank you deputy for your question.
As part of any procurement or contracting process for care services, Tusla seeks to ensure that the quality and safety of any services are to the fore to ensure the best possible outcomes for our children and young people. As part of the contracting and tendering process, value for money is also considered to ensure the best use of public money in the provision of services on behalf of the State. As value-for-money assessments are primarily built into the tendering process, they are not routinely published in a stand-alone format. Any subsequent rates set by Tusla are published or made available as part of the tendering or contracting process.
The Department is aware that Tusla follows procurement rules and its decisions are subject to internal and external controls and as such the Department has no immediate plans to commission an external review at this time.
I should add that decisions relating to the external audit of Tusla are for the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General.
