Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 July 2026
188. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the key measures taken in child protection services since January 2025; her priorities for same for the rest of 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51939/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department published an addendum to the Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017, titled Dealing with Adult Retrospective Disclosures of Childhood Abuse in April 2025. This addendum relates to the legal responsibilities of mandated persons in cases where an adult discloses to them that they were abused as a child. The addendum was developed in consultation with Tusla, the HSE and members of the Children First Interdepartmental Implementation Group and provides important clarity for professionals working in this space.
The statutory Children First Inter-Departmental Implementation Group includes representatives from every Government Department, the HSE, Tusla and An Garda Síochána. Since January 2025, the Department has continued its role in monitoring and supporting implementation of the Children First Act 2015 through this structure, including submission of the of the Children First Inter-Departmental Implementation Group 2024 Annual Report to me. This work continues in 2026.
The Department has been working with the Implementation Group on a number of actions to strengthen the wider safety net of children. This includes work to map key service contact points with children from birth to six years old, to identify where potential blind spots may emerge. It is a priority for me that this work delivers recommendations on where measures can be introduced to strengthen child protection processes across key services for children. This project is nearly completed, and I will consider the final Report with its recommendations when it is submitted to me for consideration.
In January 2025, The Executive Office, Guardian ad litem National Service was established. The Executive Office is tasked with the development of a project implementation plan for the commencement of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2022. On the 23rd of June last, I announced the launch of the Guardian Ad Litem Service, which is a landmark moment for children in care in Ireland. This reform is about strengthening the voice of the child in care proceedings and ensuring that their best interests remain at the heart of every decision. The new National Service is replacing the fragmented Guardian Ad Litem service with a new structure underpinned by clear governance, standards, and accountability. Significant work has already taken place to ensure operational readiness for the new National Service. This includes workforce planning, recruitment, governance, and the development of new systems to support service delivery and data management. Work will continue in 2026 and beyond, in expanding the national service.
The Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2025 has been published and, as of 9 December 2025, has been initiated in the Houses of the Oireachtas. The Bill will revise and update the Child Care Act 1991 to reflect changes in the child welfare and protection sector in Ireland and capture current legislative, policy and practice developments.
The proposed amendments in this Bill will support Tusla to deliver more effectively on its duties to children and families, through the introduction of guiding principles designed to strengthen the focus on the best interests of the child. It 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 share information and collaborate to deliver more coordinated and effective services, which will promote a more agile response across the State in keeping children safe from harm.
I will also be bringing forward amendments via the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2025, to place the National Review Panel on a statutory footing. This will further enhance the work of the National Review Panel, as well as strengthening its independence and its ability to compel information and witnesses in respect of all reviews that it undertakes. Drafting of the amendments is underway and I intend to bring these forward with the Bill for discussion at Committee Stage.
Following Budget 2026, Tusla’s overall funding now stands at €1.371bn, an increase of 14% over its budget in 2025. This money will ensure that Tusla can continue to manage over 100,000 referrals annually. This investment supports Tusla’s multi-pronged, sustained strategy to address the recruitment and retention of child protection staff.
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 relation 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 2025, 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.
The post-COVID Wellbeing Check project, which commenced in October, 2025 and is being undertaken in two phases, is making steady progress. The Wellbeing Check is focused on cases that were closed by child protection services during the COVID-19 period and relates to cases where there has been no further contact with the child since. The purpose of the Wellbeing Check is to proactively test and strengthen the current safety net the State provides for children’s welfare and protection, and to provide assurances about the welfare of vulnerable children.
The Wellbeing Check is being overseen by an independent Steering Group chaired by Tanya Ward, CEO of the Children’s Rights Alliance. The membership of the Steering Group has been finalised and includes representatives from this Department and the Departments of Social Protection; Health; Education and Youth; Justice, Home Affairs and Migration; along with representatives from the Health Service Executive; Central Statistics Office; Tusla, Barnardos and an independent social work expert. The Steering Group has already met 16 times to date. I will consider any recommendations that arise.
In 2026 Tusla is implementing its Integrated Reform Programme with the introduction of revised structures and systems which will go live in January, 2026. The aims/benefits of the reform programme are as follows; to promote equity in service availability, promote capacity and promote quality of services. Some of the important measures are as follows:
• Tusla is moving from 17 Areas in 6 regions to 30 Areas/Networks in 6 Regions. This will lead to a far more equitable distribution of children across Areas/Networks.
• Staff will work as part of multidisciplinary teams to ensure a range of professionals with different skills are available to respond to the needs of children, young people and families in the right way at the right time
• Tusla will have “one single front door” in each Area/Network, ensuring all referrals are screened by a multidisciplinary teams and offered the right support from the first point of contact.
• Tusla is improving its case management system. Key to this is the creation of a single record for each child and young person which will support integrated working including more streamlined referral and allocation system for residential care, improved communications, accurate data to improve decision making on an individual level and also resource allocation.
• Tusla is simplifying its standard business processes to reduce inefficiencies and maximise time with children and families facilitating more focus on direct contact and relationship building.
• Tusla is scaling up its alternative care placement capacity across emergency, mainstream and specialist services across the country to ensure more timely access to residential care for those that need it.
• Tusla is improving its engagement with community and voluntary services to ensure resources are being allocated in the most effective way to respond to the needs of the population in each Area.
The Department continues to lead out on the Cross-Governmental Coordination of the implementation of the Barnahus model in Ireland and chair the Barnahus Interdepartmental Group with representatives from Department of Health, Department of Justice, Tusla, An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive and Children’s Health Ireland and this work continues in 2026.
The Department continues to work with and support Tusla, and partners across Government, in strengthening our child protection and welfare systems.
