Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 April 2025
117. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children reported missing from State care in each of the past ten years, and to date in 2025, and the total number of those who have never been located. [20958/25]
View answerThe 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 (SCSIP) Services, though children in mainstream Tusla services can also go missing form care on a more frequent but temporary basis.
This is a European-wide phenomenon for separated children and unaccompanied minors.
Tusla has advised that prior to August 2023, missing children from care data was not part of its collated data or national metrics. Missing Children in Care information was held on individual case files. The data information is now collated at a point-in-time, on a bi-weekly basis.
As of 24th April 2025, 9 young people who are in mainstream care were reported as missing. It is important to note, most of the 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. Any of the children and young people reported missing from mainstream care in 2024 returned to the care of Tusla.
As of 24th April 2025, 35 Separated Children Seeking International Protection (SCSIP) children are 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. Of the 35 children missing from the SCSIP service, 4 are missing from between one and two weeks and 31 are missing for over two weeks.
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 remains concerned for the welfare of those minors who go missing from its care and who do not get back in touch, and Tusla continues to make efforts to contact the young person. Tusla liaises continually with the Gardaí and keeps them updated if staff become aware of any further information relating to the missing young person.
When a young person who is missing in care reaches the age of majority (18), they are no longer statutorily categorised as missing in care. These cases are no longer open to Tusla but may remain open as a missing person to An Garda Síochána if they have not yet located the young person.
The Government welcomes the passing of the EU Migration Pact in 2024. It will, when implemented, in 2026, include children aged six and above to enhance protections for children and combat child trafficking and this will include biometric procedures and fingerprinting which will also assist in tracing Children Missing from Care.
My 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.
