"As we reflect on the past decade, we must also look forward" - Mayo TD reacts to Tusla report
AS chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Children and Equality, Mayo TD Keira Keogh attended the launch of Tusla’s 2024 annual report, which represents a powerful milestone marking 10 years of service to Ireland’s most vulnerable children and families.
She has commended CEO Kate Duggan and chair of the board Pat Rabitte for a very comprehensive report.
TUSLA (The Child & Family Agency) was established in 2014 to break from a past marred by systemic failings, and Tusla’s creation symbolised a national commitment to protect and support our children. A decade on, the agency’s 10th annual report shines a light on both progress and persistent challenges, she said.
In 2024 alone, Tusla received 96,666 child protection and welfare referrals - a 5% increase on the previous year. That’s an average of over 385 referrals every single day.
It’s a staggering figure, says Keogh, that underscores the scale and urgency of their work. To put that into perspective, Croke Park could be filled with these children, with 15,000 more left outside.
Despite this pressure, Tusla staff of over 5,700, including CEO Kate Duggan, have continued to respond to growing and evolving needs, including the global impacts of Covid-19, the impacts of the cost of living and housing crisis and continuing global conflicts including the invasion of Ukraine, which has triggered a rising number of separated international protection children.
In the first half of 2024 alone, 619 new referrals of separated children were made, with 570 taken into Tusla care; a 32% increase on 2023, many of them male teens aged 16–17.
At the report launch, foster carer Jennifer Hannan, who now works in fostering peer support, shared her heartfelt reflections, highlighting both the emotional rewards and the challenges of fostering, as well as the urgent need for more foster carers nationwide. Thanks to initiatives like the National Fostering Awareness Campaign, 211 new foster carers were approved in 2024, bringing the total to 3,809 nationally.
Said Deputy Keogh: “Tusla has made commendable progress, including the launch of Ireland’s first Social Work Apprenticeship. We heard from Karen McEvoy today about the wonderful experience of completing her masters flexibly while still being a busy mum. They have also made significant strides in digital transformation and staff retention, with social work retention rising from 87% to 91.5%.”
Crucially, the agency is not shying away from areas that still need reform. CEO Kate Duggan commissioned an external review of special care, resulting in the creation of a new grade for care staff to support recruitment and retention and as of today, there are no children waiting for special care beds.
Yet, Deputy Keogh recognised that “we cannot ignore that gaps remain, particularly the lack of a step-down, high-support service for children leaving special care. More inter-agency collaboration is urgently needed to ensure children in special care and indeed across the service to ensure all children receive wraparound therapeutic supports tailored to their trauma.”
She continued: “I encourage all Tusla staff to continue engaging with the Integrated Reform Programme. Keep going, keep growing, and keep giving all you can to offer safe havens to our most vulnerable.
“As we reflect on the past decade, we must also look forward. Tomorrow (Thursday), the committee will welcome CEO Kate Duggan before us to further explore Tusla’s work, challenges, and future priorities.”
Deputy Keogh concluded: “Let us continue to build an Ireland where every child is protected, valued, and supported to thrive.”