Children living in statutory residential care, foster care, special care and detention generally received good-quality, safe care throughout 2024, according to the Health Information and Quality Authority.
However, deficits in the leadership, governance and management in some centres meant that risks to children were not effectively managed.
HIQA's annual overview report on children's residential care highlights examples of strong child-centred practice and widespread commitment among staff to safeguarding and supporting children, but it also highlights significant challenges that continue to affect children's experiences.
Staff shortages in Tusla, the lack of regulated alternative care placements, and rising referral rates across all service types have placed services under sustained pressure.
Of particular concern to the watchdog is the number of children living in unregulated special emergency accommodation, many of whom have complex needs.
Although this type of accommodation is outside HIQA’s regulatory remit, the authority has raised concerns with Tusla, which says it has strengthened governance of these arrangements.
The number of statutory children’s residential centres remained largely unchanged at 37 by the end of 2024 according to the report. By late 2025, Tusla had opened five new centres, with further expansion planned.
Some children were left at potential risk due to operational failures and HIQA has pointed to the need for a coordinated, inter-departmental approach to strategic planning for children’s services.
Overall, the majority of child residential care inspections showed "incremental improvements" according to the report, however HIQA has pointed out that the system urgently needs additional capacity, especially within foster care, residential centres and special care units.
Most children assigned dedicated social workers, social care workers or key workers received a consistently good service, with their safety and wellbeing prioritised in decision-making..
Improvements in Tusla’s fulfilment of statutory obligations, including child-in-care reviews and statutory visits, and in its systems for managing unallocated children in foster care were also noted.
