Tusla regrets failure to provide special care beds for vulnerable children

The Irish child and family agency Tusla has stated that it deeply regrets its failure to fulfill statutory obligations to provide timely access to special care beds for children. The Irish Examiner reported that the agency is currently operating only half of its available special care capacity because of staffing issues. [1]

According to the Irish Examiner, Ireland has the capacity for 26 special care beds dedicated to the most vulnerable children who are subject to court orders. However, ongoing staffing shortages have left only 13 of those beds currently operational across the country. [1]

The agency was created by the Child and Family Agency Act 2013 and reports to the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality. Its functions were previously spread across the National Educational Welfare Board, the Family Support Agency, and the Health Service Executive's Children and Family Services. The name Tusla derives from the Irish words for beginning and day. [2]

The operational failure follows recent legal consequences for the agency. The Irish Examiner reported that Tusla was ruled to be in contempt of court in July for failing to secure required special care placements. [1]