2026-02-19

92. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the amount of funding provided to each provider of special emergency arrangements in 2025; the amount of funding provided to each provider of mainstream residential care in 2025; the total amount of funding in State-owned provision of mainstream residential care in 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13264/26]

I appreciate the Deputy raising the important issue of funding for Tusla's residential care services in which the Government has invested significantly over recent years. Officials in the Department have received the detailed financial information he requested from Tusla and will share it with him in full tabular form. In terms of headline figures, the information provided by Tusla indicates that the total cost for statutory or State-owned children's residential centres in 2025 was €53.5 million. The total cost in respect of privately run centres was just over €131 million, while for special emergency arrangements, SEAs, the total cost was just under €38 million. Both Tusla and I share a common aim to meet the needs of all children in mainstream alternative care placements and to reduce Tusla's operation of SEAs. We have invested significantly in Tusla to this end. In 2026, Tusla's overall funding was raised to €1.37 billion, an increase of 14% or €177 million compared to 2025, which was itself a year of record investment for Tusla. This increase includes an additional €53 million for mainstream residential care. This additional funding will provide for the full-year costs of residential places opened in 2025, in addition to 30 new residential places over the course of 2026. Tusla’s capital budget has also been expanded to €35 million in 2026, which represents 100% growth since 2024. It is a significant uplift for Tusla in terms of its capital and capacity to build. As I said, it is €35 million, which is 100% growth. While Tusla, supported by the Department, is working to reduce reliance on SEAs, the agency is facing significant and ongoing challenges in sourcing appropriate placements for children in the care of the State.

The reason I am asking the Minister about this is that the Ombudsman for Children has raised concerns about the SEAs and their unregulation. Is she happy with the regulation of these SEAs, particularly the accommodation they offer? The accommodation can go from hotel rooms to apartments. As I said, this has been highlighted by the Ombudsman for Children. It is a serious concern for us all on this side of the House, as I am sure it is for the Minister. The question I have for her relates to the regulation of these premises and providers. Is she happy with what is being carried out by Tusla, given what we have heard on the major cases that have happened, unfortunately, in this State over the last number of months? It is a serious concern for many people. I hope she can clarify those concerns.

As I said, Tusla is working consistently to reduce reliance on SEAs. I know that is the Deputy's wish as much as my own. It is also working to reduce the costs associated with these services and promote the quality and safety of these placements. The Department is supporting Tusla in these efforts and will continue to do so. On the week of 8 February, 84 children and young people were classified as separated children seeking international protection in special emergency accommodation, representing a decrease of four over the previous week and of 35 over four weeks previously. The bulk of the children availing of the service are separated children seeking international protection. Under the current procedures, special emergency arrangements are reviewed regularly and used only when they are the most suitable options available at the time. There is an inconsistency in the numbers of children arriving at different times. Tusla remains committed to moving children, as quickly as possible, out of special emergency arrangements and into long-term placements where they can be supported – for example, in the foster care system. I will come back to the other points.

I thank the Minister. She mentioned that we would all strive for State-led accommodation. The money being spent on special emergency arrangements surely could be spent on State-led accommodation, whereby regulations would be reviewed more than regularly. My concern is over what “reviewed regularly” means. Is it monthly or weekly? My concern is shared by the Ombudsman for Children and many people I deal with. Have Tusla and the Department plans to move away once and for all from emergency accommodation provided by private operators and to use the money to build fit-for-purpose accommodation for those children who need it most? She might confirm what “reviewed regularly” means because we have had concerns. We have noted these concerns in the media and The Journal has reported very recently on its concern about children facing criminal damages in private accommodation. It is not on. We need to build State accommodation. I ask the Minister to confirm whether this is the plan of her Department.

Specifically on funding for building, Tusla plans to invest a total of €286 million in expanding mainstream residential care in 2026, representing an additional €53 million in current funding compared with the amount for 2025. The additional €53 million for mainstream residential care will provide for the full-year cost of beds opened part of the way through 2025 and for an additional 30 residential care places, which will bring the number of residential places for children in need to over 800. It is planned that the 30 additional mainstream residential placements will comprise 19 State-run statutory placements and 11 privately owned ones. Specifically on safeguarding procedures, Tusla has developed standard operating procedures for placements. These detail extensive checks that any prospective special emergency accommodation provider must adhere to, including in relation to records management and staff vetting. Tusla has advised that all special emergency accommodation providers should be vetted by the central compliance unit. The unit ensures that Garda vetting and appropriate qualifications are in order before any child is placed with a prospective provider. The unit also carries out spot checks to validate staff on active duty. Tusla uses practice assurance and service monitoring reports to support the provision of high-quality services for children and families. The monitoring extends across Tusla activity, including in respect of special emergency accommodation. Importantly, young people in special emergency accommodation are visited weekly by a social worker or delegated person to have their voices heard and to check on the care being provided.