Thomas Gould (Cork North-Central, Sinn Fein)
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102. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children who have been temporarily missing, or as stated by Tusla, “absconded”, from Tusla, or Tusla-funded, care in the past 12 months; the number of these based in Cork; and the process undertaken when a child goes missing from State care. [61722/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Government recognises that Children reported Missing from Care are recognised as being some of the most vulnerable in society.

Children missing from care fall under two categories, children who go missing from mainstream services for children in the care of Tusla, and those children who are Separated Children seeking International Protection Services.

Children in mainstream Tusla services can technically go missing from care on a more frequent but temporary basis due to the definition of missing used in these care settings. Under the current Tusla and An Garda Síochána Joint Working Protocol for children and young people missing from care, a child that is absent from their residential care placement for more than 15 minutes may be reported as “missing”. Their absence could be for a range of reasons, such as missing their curfew or not returning to their placement at an agreed time.

As of 6th November, 2025 (latest Tusla data), a total of 31 children were reported by Tusla as missing from care.

3 young people who are in mainstream care were reported as missing. As I stated, most of these young people in mainstream reported as ‘missing’ return to their placement after a brief period of time and remain in a safe and caring environment. All of the children and young people reported missing from mainstream care in 2024 returned to the care of Tusla.

28 Separated Children Seeking International Protection children were reported as missing. Some unaccompanied minors who go missing from care communicate their intention to travel on to other countries to join family members and some indicate that it was never their intention to remain in Ireland and leave soon after they arrive in the country. For those who do not subsequently make Tusla aware of their whereabouts, these young people are counted as missing and An Garda Siochána are notified accordingly. It is important to note, that unfortunately, this is a European-wide phenomenon for separated children and unaccompanied minors.

A genuinely missing person is always distressing for their family and friends however, I am concerned that the statistics we are currently using do not accurately the reality of missing children and young people. With this in mind, I have asked Tusla to assess:

• how they record a young person’s intent to stay in the country when first presenting to Tusla’s services;

• how Tusla record children and young people as missing; to ensure more accurate and nuanced reporting of this important matter.

Tusla has advised that data specific to the number of young people temporarily missing (absconded) from Tusla, or Tusla-funded care for the Cork area is not available as the report is not collated in this way.

As I referenced earlier, Tusla and An Garda Síochána work together on Children Missing from Care through the An Garda Síochána / Tusla Joint Working Protocol. This protocol is currently being reviewed and updated by Tusla and An Garda Síochána.

Where a young person in care is deemed missing, Tusla notify An Garda Siochána under the joint protocol. Once a child has been reported missing, the Gardaí have primary responsibility for investigating the child’s whereabouts.

The Garda National Missing Person`s Unit has oversight over a Garda investigation on the ongoing attempts to locate the child, including liaison with Interpol, if there is a concern that the child has left the jurisdiction. This can include local police checks with relevant local authorities to assist the Garda investigation and liaison with Tusla.

Tusla liaises continually with the Gardaí and keeps them updated if staff become aware of any further information relating to the missing young person.

The Department continues to liaise with Tusla regarding the issue of children missing in care and the measures in place to ensure comprehensive safeguarding is in place for the children and young people placed in their care.