Migrant children account for the overwhelming majority of those missing from Tusla care, with dozens unaccounted for over extended periods, according to new FOI data.
Figures released to Gript under the Freedom of Information Act show that as of March 27th 2025, 43 children were missing from the care of the State. Of those, 32 were Separated Children Seeking International Protection (SCSIP), and just 11 were from the mainstream care population.
In other words, 74.4% were children seeking international protection, while just 25.6% were from the main care population.
Of the 43 missing children, 83% were not in contact with Tusla, including all of the international protection seeking children.
The data reveals a stark difference in the length of time children remain missing.
All 32 migrant children had been gone for more than two weeks. By contrast, none of the 11 mainstream children were missing for that long. The majority had been absent for 1-3 days, with only two cases reaching 1-2 weeks.
Footnotes included in the dataset indicate that some of the missing children have not been seen since 2023.
“Of the 32, 4 young people went missing in 2025, 21 young people went missing in 2024, and 7 went missing in 2023,” the entry from March 27th 2025 states.
From May 2024 through March 2025, over 20 SCSIP children were recorded as missing in every biweekly update, with many appearing in multiple consecutive reports. In contrast, mainstream children typically make up a smaller portion of missing cases and are usually located within days.
No data was recorded on missing mainstream children between October 2023 and March 2024 due to industrial action. During this five-month gap in mainstream reporting, figures for Separated Children Seeking International Protection (SCSIP) continued to be collected, with between 15 and 24 migrant children listed as missing in each biweekly report.
In a statement issued to Gript alongside the figures, Tusla said it had only recently begun centrally compiling missing child data.
“Prior to August 2023, missing children from care data were not part of our collated data or national metrics. Missing Children in Care information was held on individual case files,” the agency said.
“The data information is now collated manually at a point in time, on a bi-weekly basis. Where a young person in care is deemed missing, Tusla notify An Garda Síochána under the joint Children First protocol. Once a child has been reported missing, the Gardaí have primary responsibility for investigating the child’s whereabouts.”
Tusla said it continues to work with Gardaí and actively seeks to contact missing children if new information emerges.
“Tulsa remains concerned for the welfare of those minors who go missing from our care and who do not get back in touch, and Tusla continues to make efforts to contact the young person,” the agency said.
“Tusla liaises continually with the Gardaí and keeps them updated if staff become aware of any further information relating to the missing young person.”
The care group added that some unaccompanied minors leave with the stated intention of reuniting with relatives abroad.
“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,” the statement read.
For those who do not disclose their location, Tusla said standard procedures apply.
“For those who do not subsequently make us aware of their whereabouts, these young people are counted as missing and An Garda Síochána are notified accordingly.”
Tusla also clarified that when a missing child turns 18, they are no longer counted in its care statistics.
“Please note that 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 Child and Family Agency but may remain open as a missing person to An Garda Síochána if they have not yet located the young person.”
Separated Children Seeking International Protection refers to minors under 18 who arrive in Ireland without a parent or guardian and seek asylum or similar immigration status. They are placed in Tusla’s care and are legally entitled to the same protections as all children in the State’s child welfare system.