Number of concerns over suspected child abuse reported to Tusla more than doubles

Teachers, gardaí and social workers, as well as other front-line staff such as nurses, midwives and doctors, are legally required to report suspected abuse to Tusla.

The number of concerns about suspected abuse or neglect of children reported to Tusla have more than doubled since the onset of the covid-19 pandemic.

Figures provided by the child and family agency to the Irish Examiner show the number of concerns raised by persons legally obligated to report child protection issues stood at almost 13,130 at the end of 2020.

Teachers, gardaí and social workers, as well as other front-line staff who are in contact with children and families in their line of work such as nurses, midwives and doctors, are legally required to report suspected abuse to Tusla under the Children First Act.

Tusla had recorded almost 28,700 concerns about suspected abuse from mandated reporters by the end of 2023, when normal operations had resumed after the disruption caused during the pandemic.

This figure is likely to be higher again for 2024, with just over 22,000 concerns recorded by the child and family agency by the end of September.

Gardaí report the most concerns regarding suspected abuse and welfare issues to Tusla. In 2023, the agency received almost 11,500 reports from gardaí, and almost 8,500 in the first nine months of last year.

Teachers reported almost 4,300 concerns to Tusla in 2023, and almost 3,000 up to September 2024.

During 2020 when schools were closed, this number had dropped to a little over 2,000. Monthly figures were particularly low during the months of April to September.

Meanwhile, the reports of suspected abuse received by Tusla from the managers of homeless provision or emergency accommodation have more than doubled in recent years.

In 2020, the child and family agency received 112 reports. This figure stood at 228 at the end of 2023, and 199 up to September 2024.

A spokeswoman for Tusla said anyone can inform the agency when they have reasonable grounds for concern a child may have been, is being, or is at risk of being abused or neglected.

Child abuse can be categorised into four different types: neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse and sexual abuse.

“If a person makes a report about a child, Tusla will acknowledge it, and may get in contact for additional information if necessary.

“If Tusla suspects that a crime has been committed and a child has been wilfully neglected or physically or sexually abused, it will formally notify the gardaí without delay.”

An Garda Síochána has overall responsibility for the direction of any criminal investigation, she added.