Written answer
Child and Family Agency
The Minister said foster care remains the preferred placement, but acknowledged the need to expand residential provision by community and voluntary organisations. She could not comment on Budget 2027 funding, while noting increased Tusla investment and an imminent National Policy Framework for Alternative Care to guide future investment.
95. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will ensure Budget 2027 invests in not-for-profit residential care for children in the care of the State. [65904/26]
Comment on this
The preferred setting for children coming into the care of the State is foster care. This is where almost nine in every ten children in care are placed, however Tusla operates in a very challenging and demand led environment providing vital services to children, young people and families who often present with very complex needs.
Tusla has acknowledged the need to increase its provision of residential placements, including those provided by community and voluntary organisations. Staff in community and voluntary organisations do incredible work to provide safe, supportive placements for children in care. I was delighted to meet with representatives of the community and voluntary sector earlier this year to discuss matters affecting them and the children for whom they provide such excellent care.
It is important to note that the State has invested significantly in the community and voluntary care provision, with the sector being allocated an increase in funding of €5.2m in 2023, to ensure its ongoing sustainability. I also welcomed the fact that community and voluntary workers agreed to a pay increase of 9.25% last year, ensuring that voluntary workers are better paid for their valuable work.
I am conscious that Tusla is independent in its functions and it is a matter for the Agency to manage and allocate resources, including voluntary residential provision, to address areas of greatest need while managing within its allocated budget. In 2025, Tusla reported that it provided funding for community and voluntary residential provision of just under €30m.
The Department continues to support Tusla in the provision of the funding and resources needed to carry out its functions. It is committed to ensuring the continuity of Tusla's work in supporting vulnerable children and families, as evidenced by the year-on-year increases in funding provided to Tusla.
In Budget 2026, an overall increase of €177m was secured for Tusla, which amounted to a 14% increase in Tusla’s budget over its 2025 allocation. This brought Tusla’s total funding to over €1.4 billion for 2026. This investment will help increase the overall availability of residential placements for children in need to over 800.
The Deputy will appreciate that as the 2027 Budget process is ongoing, I cannot at this stage comment in respect of future funding.
However, work is underway on Ireland's first National Policy Framework for Alternative Care. The Framework will aim to articulate a Whole of Government vision for the future of alternative care in Ireland, delivering on a Programme for Government commitment in this area.
I can advise that officials have had constructive engagement with the community and voluntary sector throughout the consultation process. The Framework will provide the basis for future investment in the care system and I want to acknowledge all of the contributions that have been made to support this process in recent months. I expect that the Framework will be ready for delivery in the coming months.