Most of the children reported missing from State care over the past year were unaccompanied international protection applicants, Minister for Children Norma Foley has said.
In a written Parliamentary reply on the number of children who had gone missing from care in the last 12 months, Foley said the Government recognised that such children are “some of the most vulnerable in society.”
A TOTAL OF 31 CHILDREN MISSING OVER THE PAST YEAR
She said children who go missing from care fall into two groups: those in mainstream Tusla services and “those children who are Separated Children seeking International Protection Services.”
“…As of 6th November, 2025 (latest Tusla data), a total of 31 children were reported by Tusla as missing from care.”
According to the Minister, three of the missing were in mainstream Tusla care, all of whom in 2024 were ultimately returned to the agency.
90% OF MISSING CHILDREN WERE INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION APPLICANTS
The remaining 28 were separated children seeking international protection.
“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,” she wrote.
“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.”
Foley said the situation reflects a broader pattern: “It is important to note, that unfortunately, this is a European-wide phenomenon for separated children and unaccompanied minors.”
MAINSTREAM CHILDREN “TECHNICALLY” GO MISSING MORE OFTEN, BUT OFTEN ONLY FOR SHORT PERIODS
She noted that children in mainstream services “technically” go missing more often, but usually only for short periods due to the system’s definition of “missing”. A child can be reported as missing after being away from their residential placement for more than 15 minutes.
“Their absence could be for a range of reasons, such as missing their curfew or not returning to their placement at an agreed time,” she said.
She added that while a “genuinely missing” person is always “distressing for their family and friends”, the current method of compiling statistics “do not accurately reflect the reality of missing children and young people”.
FOLEY “CONCERNED” AT HOW SUCH CASES ARE RECORDED
Foley said she has asked Tusla to re-examine how such data are recorded.
“I am concerned that the statistics we are currently using do not accurately the reality of missing children and young people,” she said.
She asked the agency to assess “how they record a young person’s intent to stay in the country when first presenting to Tusla’s services” and “how Tusla record children and young people as missing; to ensure more accurate and nuanced reporting of this important matter.”
DATA ON NUMBER OF CHILDREN WHO TEMPORARILY ABSCOND IS “NOT AVAILABLE”
She also said data on the number of young people who temporarily “absconded” from Tusla or Tusla-funded care are “not available,” as “the report is not collated in this way.”
Foley pointed to the existing An Garda Síochána / Tusla Joint Working Protocol, which she said is currently being reviewed and updated.
GARDAÍ LIAISE WITH INTERPOL TO TRY AND FIND MISSING CHILDREN ABROAD
“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.”
She said Gardaí then liaise with Interpol to determine whether a child has been located abroad.
“Tusla liaises continually with the Gardaí and keeps them updated if staff become aware of any further information relating to the missing young person,” she said.
“The 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.”