Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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1897. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to confirm Tusla’s projected budget overrun for 2025; to provide a breakdown of the reported €67.8 million overspend across core service categories, such as separated children seeking international protection, fostering, residential care, and legal representation; and to state whether she intends to appoint an independent external review of Tusla’s financial and operational governance. [44972/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Thank you, Deputy, for your question.

Tulsa’s role is to support and promote the development, welfare, education, and protection of children and young people. It is an organisation that operates in a very challenging and demand led environment. As an example, Tusla saw 96,666 child protection and welfare referrals in 2024: a 5% increase (4,742) since 2023 (91,924).

My Department continues to support Tusla in carrying out its functions. In Budget 2025 Tusla received a significant increase in funding of over €144 million, giving a total budget of over €1.2 billion. This is the third consecutive year, that total Tusla funding will be over €1 billion. I am dedicated to ensuring the continuity of support for vulnerable children as can be witnessed in the year on year increase in the funding provided to Tusla.

I have no plans to appoint an independent external review of Tusla’s financial and operational governance. I would ask the Deputy to note that my Department keeps the governance and finance of Tusla under ongoing review.

It is acknowledged that Tusla is experiencing increased demand across its services, in particular areas, including foster care, residential care, special care, and services for separated children seeking international protection (SCSIP).

While some areas are seeing a rapid increase in demand, such as a 32% increase in demand for services from 2023 in relation to SCSIP, other areas of services, for example, Child Protection and Welfare are on a slower trajectory of 5%

In Budget 2025 the Department recognised the increased pressure for separated children seeking international protection with Tusla receiving a €57.5 million increase in the funding for this area. This funding is to support Tusla in providing accommodation and services for this demand-led service as the number of children presenting to Tusla from outside of the EU has increased rapidly since 2023.

In line with its founding legislation and the provisions of the Code of Practice for the governance of State Bodies, it is a matter for Tusla to manage any cost pressures arising within overall available resources and to determine the best approach to minimising cost overruns. Any potential cost overruns would need to be funded through savings in other areas of Tusla’s operations. Tusla should manage within available resources in 2025.