More than 2,500 referrals from Donegal to Tusla, figures show

by Louise Doyle

THERE were more than 2,500 referrals from Donegal to Tusla’s Child Protection and Welfare Service in 2023.

Figures provided to the Donegal News by Tusla show there were 2,572 referrals from Donegal last year to its Child Protection and Welfare Service.

The highest number of referrals were made by a member of An Garda Siochána (1,161).

According to the details released to this newspaper, atotal of 320 referrals were made by a social worker, while 230 referrals from Donegal were lodged to Tusla’s Child Protection and Welfare Service by a safeguarding officer.

Some 183 referrals were made by teacher, with 152 and 141 referrals lodged by a mandated person not specified and medical practitioner, respectively.

Sixty-seven referrals were made by a social care worker, while 63 referrals lodged were made by an ‘anonymous’ source.

Parent/guardian lodged 43 referrals to Tusla’s Child Protection and Welfare Service last year, while 27 referrals were made by a psychotherapist.

Sixteen referrals were made by a registered midwife/nurse, while 13 were lodged by the manager of a domestic violence shelter.

Tusla said the data is a count of referrals and not individual children.

Other data released to the Donegal News shows 4, 327 children were referred to Family Support Services in Donegal in 2023.

Ninety-one young people/adults in Donegal were in receipt of aftercare services last year.

Nationally, there were 91,924 referrals to Tusla’s Child Protection and Welfare Service in 2023 – an 11 per cent increase on 2022.

In its annual report for 2023, Tusla highlights a demand for services overall, with a 100 per cent Increase in Child Protection and Welfare

Referrals Since Tusla’s Establishment in 2014.

A look at the national picture shows 5,615 children were in care at the end of 2023, 90 per cent of whom were in foster care.

A total of 432 separated children seeking international protection were received into care or otherwise accommodated in 2023, 55 more than in 2022

Tusla’s Early Years Inspectorate carried out 2,391 inspections of early years services in 2023.

Despite the growing demand for its services, 2023 saw much progress across the Agency, driven by its ongoing Reform Programme which
has been essential in enhancing structure, practice, and culture within Tusla.

Notable advancements included service improvements through the continued implementation of the Agency’s Alternative Care Strategies for Foster Care, Residential Care and Aftercare.

Speaking about the Tusla Annual Report 2023, Pat Rabbitte, Chairperson, Tusla, said the Agency has “grown significantly”, adapting to the ever-increasing demand for its services.

“Since Tusla was established in 2014, child protection and welfare referrals to the Agency have doubled. Today, the Agency is challenged by the growing complexities of our work, evident from the demand for specialised services and supports, such as those for Special Care and Separated Children Seeking International Protection.

“We are greatly appreciative of the dedication of our management and staff, our community partners and foster carers, and the ongoing support of the Department and Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth – Roderic O’Gorman.

”This year, Tusla celebrates its tenth anniversary as a more confident Agency, conscious of areas that need improvement and resolutely determined to continue our comprehensive reform programme.”

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