Tusla faces staffing issues and violent incidents as it aims to use less private residential care

According to the report, there are currently 177 residential care centres, comprising Tusla-owned centres, community and voluntary centres, and private centres.

Tusla is to overhaul its residential care system as the current mix is "unsustainable" amid difficulties in recruiting staff, rising absenteeism and an increase in the number of incidents of violence, harassment and aggression against other children and employees.

The comments are contained in the Child and Family Agency's Strategic Plan for Residential Care Services for Children and Young People 2022-2025, and follow similar assertions made last year by Tusla CEO, Bernard Gloster.