Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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1321.To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will ensure that an independent review of the care system is launched with immediate Government action on the current crisis in care as a matter of urgency (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.[33894/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The care and welfare of children in care is a priority for this Government, which continues to be the subject of focused and continuous engagement between my Department and Tusla at all levels. A number of interfaces exist in this regard, including quarterly meetings between myself and the Tusla Board, quarterly Executive Management Team meetings between senior officials in both organisations, and further bilateral engagements as required. Both I and officials in my Department are committed to continuing to provide whatever support to Tusla is necessary to address challenges impacting on alternative care, and within the context of our respective roles.

Tusla has indicated that it is facing significant and ongoing challenges in sourcing appropriate placements for children in the care of the State. This is due to a number of factors, including difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff, difficulties in maintaining the number of foster carers, the complexity of the presentation of some children presenting to Tusla, and the unprecedented number of Separated Children Seeking International Protection (SCSIP) requiring Tusla services. In relation to those young people presenting to Tusla with increasingly complex needs, my Department has established an Interagency Group on Vulnerable Children on an administrative basis. This group has met twice so far, and a third meeting is currently being scheduled. The group has had an initial focus on those children and young people presenting to Tusla with disability, mental health or addiction needs.

Tusla have published Strategic Plans in respect of Foster Care, Residential Care, and Aftercare. These Plans include a range of actions to increase capacity in alternative care and ensure that these services continue to meet the needs of children and their families in the future. The Strategic Plans focus on increasing capacity in alternative care, as well as recruitment and retention of staff and foster carers.

The Strategic Plan for Residential Care sets a target for reducing reliance on private provision of residential care placements, and in this regard since 2023 Tusla has procured a number of new statutory residential units. The Agency plans to continue investing in residential care capacity across the lifetime of that Strategic Plan, and my Department continues to support Tusla in its implementation of the three Strategic Plans.

In this regard, as part of Budget 2024, Tusla has received significant additional funding to maintain and expand their services to children. This increase of approximately €81m represents the single largest annual increase in core funding since Tusla’s establishment, and Tusla will receive over €1 billion in overall funding from the Department in 2024, ensuring an increased capacity to meet the growing demands for children requiring the care of the State.