Tusla reports 10% rise in child safety, welfare referrals
Tusla's 2025 annual report reveals a 10% increase in child safety and welfare referrals, surpassing 100,000 for the first time. The agency highlights high demand across services, including foster care, educational support, and care for unaccompanied minors.
Why it matters
The record-breaking volume of referrals highlights significant strain on Ireland's child protection infrastructure and evolving social welfare needs.
Tusla experienced a 10% increase in child safety and welfare referrals last year.
It is the first time that the number of referrals to the Child and Family Agency has surpassed 100,000, according to its 2025 annual report, reaching 106,444.
A total of 55,483 referrals related to individual children, equating to approximately one in 23 children living in Ireland (Census 2022).
Demand remained high across Tusla services throughout the year, including child safety and welfare, educational support, family support, residential care and Special Care and supports for Separated Children Seeking International Protection (SCSIP).
The most common reported concern was emotional abuse (45%), followed by physical abuse (26%), neglect (16%) and sexual abuse (14%).
Altogether, 5,879 children were in care at the end of 2025, including 150 unaccompanied minors. 86% of children in care were in foster care, down 1% compared to 2024.
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