Tusla, Ireland’s Child and Family Agency, has come under scrutiny after internal audits revealed severe issues with the safety and oversight of emergency accommodations housing over 170 vulnerable children. These placements, often unregulated and reliant on private providers, result from a critical lack of foster carers and group care homes.

The audits exposed numerous failings, including inadequate vetting of care staff, underreported welfare concerns, and dangerous living conditions. Some children were placed in unsuitable rented properties, with care staff working extreme shifts of up to 72 hours and sleeping onsite. Social workers’ visits to these children varied widely, leaving many without consistent support.

The controversy follows earlier reports that one provider altered Garda vetting files and fabricated pre-employment screenings. Tusla has since ceased working with four companies but continues to face operational risks and questions about governance. Many of the children affected are unaccompanied asylum seekers, leading to heightened demands on the care system. Tusla states it is working to transition children to regulated settings but admits to ongoing challenges in managing the crisis.

For more details, read the full article on The Irish Times.