Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 May 2021
239. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which Tusla has adequate resources at its disposal in order to deal with any issues reported to it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29086/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am satisfied that Tusla is well resourced to meet its statutory obligations and address issues arising although I am aware of many areas of need that could benefit from additional resources.
For 2021, my Department increased the allocation to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to a total of €894m. This is an effective increase of €46m over the final equivalent allocation for 2020 (€848m). The additional resources allow Tusla to:
- Continue work to reduce the number of children awaiting the allocation of a social worker (reduce number of unallocated cases),
- Address significant demand led cost pressures in residential care,
- Provide care and protection through quality services for victims of domestic, sexual and gender based violence,
- Continue to improve organisational and service performance to achieve better outcomes for vulnerable children, young people and their families,
- Support Tusla to meet our commitments to transfer additional unaccompanied children in Greece to Ireland as quickly as possible,
- Manage and safeguard records following their transfer from the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes to the Child and Family Agency (Tusla),
- Improve and embed robust processes to adhere to GDPR regulations and address the Data Protection Commissioner’s concerns,
- Increase capital investment to support Tusla services, and advance the Agency’s Estates Strategy.
Tusla’s annual Business Plan 2021 has been published on its website. Tusla's Corporate Plan 2021-23 has recently been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. Both documents outline key priorities as well as resource allocation and challenges.
My officials are in contact with Tusla on a regular basis, both in regard to its financial position and its capacity to deliver front line services to children and families. I am satisfied that Tusla can deliver on its objectives in 2021. I will engage with Tusla over the coming weeks with regard to its budget profile for 2022, as part of the official Estimates process.
