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A TD has said that the child and family agency, Tusla, is “not fit for purpose” after it was revealed that more than 30 active investigations into child sexual exploitation are currently being pursued by Gardaí.
Deputy John McGuinness told Gript that a new structure is needed to combat the issue of child sex abuse of young people in care, after new figures from Tusla showed that social workers and other care staff reported 28 cases to gardaí last year alone. These were instances where staff feared children in care were being sexually exploited; a further 20 reports were made about the suspected exploitation of children who were not in the care system, The Irish Times reports.
“In the past I have called for the complete reform of Tusla as I believe the organisation is not fit for purpose. A new structure is needed to deal efficiently and effectively with child sex abuse and exploitation. Funding and staffing levels need to be increased to deal with the complexities of the issues involved and the organised crime associated with child trafficking.”
In recent years, the sexual exploitation of vulnerable young people in the State care system has become a serious concern for Tusla. A dedicated Garda operation has been set up to investigate suspected cases.
Social care staff have said they experienced cases of teenage girls being groomed by men using gifts and money, and then later coerced into carrying out sexual acts with other men.
In a number of instances, social care staff have encountered cases of teenage girls being groomed with gifts and money, by male perpetrators who later coerce them into carrying out sexual acts with other men.
Last year, the Protecting Against Predators study, published by the Sexual Exploitation Research Project (SERP) at University College Dublin (UCD) reported that children and young people, particularly girls, in residential or State care, who go missing, are being targeted for sexual exploitation in an organised way – often by gangs of predatory men or coordinated networks.
The study reported that current staffing challenges in the care environment are making it difficult for children to develop trusting relationships to feel sufficiently comfortable to disclose their experiences of sexual exploitation and seek help.
It also found that the risk of sexual exploitation for children is increased when care staff lack the skills and language to identify, speak about and respond to reports of sexual exploitation.
As The Irish Times reports, while there are approximately 5,800 children in State care, the vast majority live with foster carers. Around 530 young people in group care homes, run by either private companies or Tusla.
A spokesman for Tusla said that the government agency was “acutely aware” of the increased risk of child exploitation facing vulnerable children, and that a “centralised” system to flag suspected cases to Gardaí had been introduced.
Children at risk can be detained by a court order, if they are facing grave risks to their safety, and special care beds become available. However, it is understood that a number of children in the care of Tusla, who were suspected victims of sexual exploitation, have been unable to be accommodated in secure units for their own safety, owing to a shortage of available places.
The newspaper reports that because of staffing shortages, only 14 or 26 beds in specialist units are being operated by Tusla.
Deputy McGuiness referred back to the Grace case, which, in 2017, ended in a settlement between the HSE and a woman who had been left in foster care despite years of abuse.
It was later revealed that one of the key health service staff members involved in the decision to leave the female, known as ‘Grace’, in a foster home despite allegations of abuse made against her foster father, remained working for Tusla.
In 2021, a State Commission of Investigation found that the intellectually disabled woman had been placed in the care of the foster parents, despite them both having criminal convictions. The Commission highlighted “systematic failings” by the South Eastern Health Board (SEHB) which led to the child being neglected to a point where she suffered repeated injuries to her body, requiring “significant dental work” while instances of inappropriate stripping went unreported.
“The Grace case is a shocking indictment of the State and an example of the utter lack of care by the state for the most vulnerable in Society,” the Fianna Fáil TD said.
Controversy around the State body deepened earlier this month, when Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth, Norma Foley, confirmed that as of 30 January 2025, a total of 36 children have been reported missing from Tusla’s care.
The figure includes 33 Separated Children Seeking International Protection and Unaccompanied Minors, along with three children missing from Mainstream Care. Of the total 36 missing children, five went missing in the previous 3 days.
The information was provided by the Minister in response to a Parliamentary Question (PQ) from Independent TD Carol Nolan. The Minister noted that out of those 36 children, only two remain in contact with professionals and carers.
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