Ireland’s child care system is facing a severe crisis, as highlighted in the latest publication by the Child Law Project. The judiciary has expressed deep concern and frustration over the state of care for children, with multiple judges describing the system as being on the brink of collapse.
The Child Law Project regularly publishes reports from the courts that issue child protection orders. The latest cases reveal that judges are “in despair” over the lack of resources and facilities for children in care. One High Court judge described the shortage of special care beds as “a tsunami about to reach shore and nothing is being done.” These sentiments echo the concerns previously raised by the retired Justice Dermot Simms regarding the treatment of children in care.
Ireland’s most vulnerable and traumatized children, who rely on the state for protection and upbringing, are currently facing serious inadequacies in the system designed to care for them. The care system involves various facilities, including Special Care services and Children’s Residential Services, which cater to children with complex psychological and sociological needs, as well as those who have experienced neglect, abuse, or family problems.
Special Care services are intended for children aged 11 to 17 whose behavior poses a risk to their life, health, safety, development, or welfare. Originally designed as short-term placements, these facilities have become longer-term due to a lack of step-down units, contrary to legislation. Children’s Residential Services, staffed 24/7 by social care workers, are mainly run by voluntary organizations, many of which are struggling financially and face potential closure.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, acknowledged the need to reduce the use of Special Emergency Arrangements (SEAs), but there has been no significant progress in this area. SEAs, which involve private, for-profit companies accommodating children, raise concerns about governance, oversight, and Garda vetting. Despite pledges to cut down on SEAs, the sector continues to rely heavily on these arrangements, while voluntary providers face the threat of closure.
The decline in residential care in Ireland can be traced back to the 1970s. In recent years, the demand for care has increased due to societal challenges, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the arrival of children fleeing traumatic circumstances in other countries. A lack of planning and investment has left the system unable to cope with the growing need.
The Children’s Residential and Aftercare Voluntary Association (CRAVA) has called for the state to acknowledge the crisis in residential childcare provision. CRAVA emphasizes that Tusla cannot provide the necessary range and quality of care without adequate funding and support from other state agencies. Former child rapporteur Conor O’Mahony also stressed that neither Tusla nor the Department of Children can resolve the issue without additional resources from the Department of Public Expenditure.
The shortage of appropriate care placements, including foster care, residential care, and special care, is a major concern highlighted in the Child Law Project’s publication. The reports detail cases where children were sexually or criminally exploited, and their care placements failed to stabilize and address these risks. Dr. Maria Corbett, CEO of the Child Law Project, warned that the lack of suitable care placements is causing a domino effect, risking the collapse of the entire care system.
Despite the dire situation, the reports also highlight some positive outcomes, particularly the life-changing impact of the foster care system. District Court judges are commended for their empathetic attention to child care cases, often dedicating significant time to the needs of vulnerable children. One judge in a provincial city ensured that a teenager’s aftercare plan included arrangements for art classes, recognizing her talent as an artist.
The Child Law Project’s publication underscores the urgent need for future planning, funding, and a progressive approach to help more children in state care reach their full potential. Without immediate action, Ireland’s care system will continue to unravel, leaving its most vulnerable citizens at greater risk.