‘Extraordinary’ number of referrals made to Tusla last year

Aontu leader Peadar Toibin called for ‘proper investment’ in child protection. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

Some 70,000 children were referred to the children’s agency Tusla in the first nine months of last year, the Dáil has been told.

Extrapolating on that figure, Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín said this meant it was likely that approximately 94,000 children would be referred throughout the entire year.