Tusla treads fine line as it stresses need for resources without antagonising main funder

Tusla, Ireland's national child and family agency, faces mounting pressure as it navigates the delicate balance between advocating for more resources and maintaining positive relations with its primary financial backer, the government. In a recent address following the release of its 2025 annual report, Chief Executive Kate Duggan emphasized the growing strain on the organization's ability to respond effectively to rising demands. The number of child protection and welfare referrals reached a record high of 106,444 in 2024—marking a sharp increase from 43,596 in 2015. This surge underscores the intensifying challenges faced by Tusla in safeguarding vulnerable children and supporting families. Duggan highlighted several areas of progress, including efforts to reduce reliance on unregulated care placements, modernization of digital infrastructure, and the implementation of a new social work apprenticeship program. However, she acknowledged that the agency could not meet the level of demand in a timely manner for all children and families. Specifically, she pointed to a group requiring long-term, community-based placements that remained unmet due to resource limitations. Rather than directly attributing the shortfall to insufficient funding, she framed the issue as one of capacity, noting that while urgent cases received prompt attention, others had to wait. Despite these constraints, Duggan and Chairperson Madeleine Clarke expressed appreciation for the 14 percent funding boost secured by Minister for Children Norma Foley through the Department of Public Expenditure. This increase brings Tusla’s budget to nearly €1.4 billion for 2026. Clarke described the additional support as welcome, though she stopped short of declaring it adequate given the current pressures. She stressed the necessity of continued investment, emphasizing that the agency’s mission requires maximum resourcing. Ombudsman for Children Niall Muldoon has taken a more direct stance, warning that chronic underfunding poses a serious threat to children’s rights. In a letter to Foley in April, he called for a comprehensive review of Tusla’s funding, highlighting that the agency had received only 48 percent of its requested funds between 2021 and 2026. He underscored the critical role of Tusla in ensuring child protection and welfare, stating that its importance cannot be overstated. His comments reflect broader concerns among advocates and professionals working with at-risk youth. Siobhán O’Dwyer, CEO of Youth Advocate Programmes, echoed similar sentiments, pointing to persistent socioeconomic factors such as poverty and deprivation as major contributors to the rise in referrals. While acknowledging the complexity of the situation, she stressed that addressing these underlying causes is essential to reducing the burden on Tusla and improving outcomes for children. As Budget 2027 discussions begin, the focus will shift toward convincing the Department of Public Expenditure to prioritize children’s welfare through sustained investment in Tusla. With the agency operating at near capacity and facing increasing demands, the coming months will determine whether policymakers recognize the urgency of the situation and take meaningful action to ensure the safety and well-being of Ireland’s most vulnerable citizens.