Referrals to Tusla increased to more than 96,600 in 2024
The latest annual report marks ten years since the establishment of the child and family Agency when in 2014, the agency experienced 43,630 referrals.
Since then, demand has increased across education, family support, residential care and special care, and services for Separated Children Seeking International Protection (SCSIP).
The report says that the continued increase in referrals reflects rising pressures on families - including cost-of-living challenges, homelessness, domestic violence, addiction, and global displacement.
Last year, 916 children were taken into care, 604 for the first time and 48,443 children were referred to family support services.
Staff recruitment is consistently raised in reports and assessments of Tusla as a barrier to children receiving dedicated social workers.
However, the report says that in 2024, a total of 1,258 new staff joined the agency, including 143 new social workers through the most successful graduate campaign to date.
Despite reports of staff burnout and early exits, staff retention also improved last year, according to Tusla, with a 93% overall retention rate (up from 91.1%) and social work retention rose to 91.5% from 87% in January 2024.
Demand remained high across foster care, mainstream residential care, and special care.
A new dedicated National Fostering Recruitment Team approved 244 new foster carers - a 21% increase on 2023 which saw 173 carers.
However, Tusla has acknowledged that it continues to face challenges particularly in special care, where recruitment of specialist professionals working with young people with complex needs, remains problematic.
A number of judges have expressed "despair" last year over a lack of special care beds for some of the most vulnerable children in the State.
Tusla has said progress was made in 2024 in this regard through targeted initiatives to attract and retain staff including national and international recruitment campaigns.
In collaboration with the Department of Children, Disability, and Equality, Tusla also introduced an enhanced staff grade - Special Care Worker - to "strengthen the delivery of special care services".
"This strategic initiative is already showing positive outcomes: the opening of an additional special care bed marks a tangible expansion in capacity, and recruitment under the new grade is now under way, supporting the safe and effective care of some of the most vulnerable children in care," it said.
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The Journal
2 days ago
- The Journal
Nineteen children known to Tusla died last year, including four by suicide
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Commenting on the annual report, Dr Helen Buckley, Chairperson of the National Review Panel said: 'On behalf of the NRP I wish to extend my sincere sympathies to families, friends, guardians and all those affected by the deaths of the children and young people reviewed by the National Review Panel in 2024. 'The death of a child is an unthinkable tragedy and one which has a profound effect on many. 'The NRP have made a number of recommendations in the annual report this year, relating to frontline services, availability of suitable placements and interagency working between Tusla and the HSE particularly in relation to mental health services. 'As with previous years, suicide is one of the biggest factors in the death of young people and a stronger inter-agency approach is needed to fully support our young people experiencing mental health difficulties.' She thanked the family members and professionals who spoke to the NRP about the deaths. ***** If you have been affected by any of the issues mentioned in this article, you can reach out for support through the following helplines. These organisations also put people in touch with long-term supports: Samaritans 116 123 or email jo@ Text About It - text HELLO to 50808 (mental health issues) Aware 1800 80 48 48 (depression, anxiety) Pieta House 1800 247 247 or text HELP to 51444 – (suicide, self-harm) Teen-Line Ireland 1800 833 634 (for ages 13 to 19) Childline 1800 66 66 66 (for under 18s) Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- RTÉ News
Tusla referred 19 deaths of children to review panel in 2024
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Irish Times
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Two people moved from Cork disability centre ‘for their own safety' after incident with another resident
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