An inspection of residential centre in the southwest operated by Tusla, found regular illicit substance use on the premises by some of the children residing there.
The unannounced inspection by the Health Information and Quality Authority in February found immediate risks to the safety, health and welfare of three children living at the centre at the time.
HIQA focused on "the lack of effective management" of active illicit substance use by children in the centre and the impact on all of them.
According to the inspection report, the children had openly discussed the issue with staff, both from their experience of engaging in illicit substance use in the centre and of being exposed to it.
In the national policies for Tusla's mainstream children’s residential centres, the use of illicit drugs, alcohol, smoking, e-cigarettes and vaping are strictly prohibited.
However, despite the smell of cannabis recorded in daily logs, this was not recorded as a concern for children’s safety or welfare, according to HIQA.
Despite staff and management being aware of the issue, it was not addressed in line with national policies and legislation.
Children often declined opportunities to avail of support, including with external services, which inspectors described as "missed opportunities" by staff and management to assist and support children to manage issues in their daily lives.
Overall, HIQA found that significant improvements were required to ensure that the service was child centred and those living in the centre received good quality, safe care.
In response, Tusla said a compliance plan was submitted to and approved by HIQA and that actions were being taken to address issues highlighted in the report.
Social Democrats spokesperson on children Aidan Farrelly said the failure of Tusla to run a service that complies with safeguarding standards had become "normalised".
"It has sadly gotten to the point that reports like these are to be expected every time the lid is lifted on our child and family agency - it’s become normalised for Tusla to fail to run a service which complies with safeguarding standards for the children in its care," he said.
In a statement, Deputy Farrelly accused the Government of "choosing to look away" when reports like HIQA’s are published.
He urged the Government "to stop sweeping Tusla’s issues under the rug and commit to a thorough examination of its governance structure, capacity and standards by conducting an independent review at the nearest possible opportunity".
'Good quality care'
The report is one of three published on children’s residential centres operated by the Child and Family Agency in the southwest and Dublin northeast regions that were inspected this year.
At a centre in the northeast of Dublin, leadership, governance and management arrangements were highlighted as "requiring improvement".
It said responses to identified risks were not effective and did not adequately safeguard young people from harm. It also found that safety plans were inadequate and did not satisfactorily safeguard young people.
The third centre, also based in the southwest, was found to be a homely and child-centred environment with plenty of space for the children.
There was open communication with children to ensure that their voices were heard and respected, and children had the opportunity to be involved in their care planning.
Tusla said that of the 20 national children’s residential standards examined across the three services, the services were found to be fully compliant with seven standards, substantially compliant in four standards, and non-compliant with nine standards.
It pointed out that HIQA found that the children and young people in each centre received good quality care in a positive atmosphere and inspectors noted strong efforts from staff to create a warm, homely and vibrant space for young people.
