Information about Tusla Child and Family Agency

Who we are

On 1st January 2014 the Child and Family Agency became an independent legal entity, comprising HSE Children and Family Services, the Family Support Agency and the National Educational Welfare Board as well as incorporating some psychological services and a range of services responding to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.

The Child and Family Agency is now the dedicated State agency responsible for improving wellbeing and outcomes for children. It represents the most comprehensive reform of child protection, early intervention and family support services ever undertaken in Ireland.

The Agency operates under the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, a progressive piece of legislation with children at its heart and families viewed as the foundation of a strong healthy community where children can flourish. Partnership and co-operation in the delivery of seamless services to children and families are also central to the Act.

Tusla also operates under various other legislations including but not limited to:

Child Care Act 1991: Regulates childcare policy and outlines Tusla’s role in providing care and protection for children.
Children First Act 2015: Places statutory obligations on professionals and organisations working with children to protect them from harm and abuse.
Child Care Act 1991: (Early Years Servies Amendment) Regulations 2021: Updates regulations for early years services.
Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2024: Introduction of reforms within early learning and childcare, including registration and regulation of childminders.
Birth and Information Tracing Act 2022: Provides adopted, boarded-out, and illegally registered individuals in Ireland an unconditional right to their birth certificates, early life, and medical information.
The Education (Welfare) Act, 2000: Emphasises the promotion of school attendance, participation and retention.

The establishment of the Agency represents an opportunity to think differently, where appropriate to behave differently and to seek a wide range of views regarding the most effective way of working together to deliver a wide range of services for children and families. An approach which is responsive, inclusive and outward looking.

There are over 5,000 staff working in the Agency.

New beginnings

Prior to establishment date, widespread consultation with stakeholders sought to capture the hopes, and indeed fears, regarding the new Child and Family Agency. Many held the view that a mere realignment of services and the amalgamation of a number of bodies would not be enough to deliver on the fresh start called for throughout the sector. It was felt that what was required was a new identity which captured a new sense of purpose shared by all those who together will deliver children and family services going forward.

Consideration was given to the aspirations for the agency and many themes emerged – a new beginning, an opportunity, a challenge. From debate and conjecture, the name Tusla emerged as a fitting logo for the Child and Family Agency. While the word borrows from the Irish words ‘tús’ + ‘lá’, Tusla is a completely new word reflecting a shared desire for a new beginning, forging a new identity. A new word, a new way of working.

Our remit

Under the Child and Family Act 2013 the Child and Family Agency is charged with:

Supporting and promoting the development, welfare and protection of children, and the effective functioning of families;

Offering care and protection for children in circumstances where their parents have not been able to, or are unlikely to, provide the care that a child needs. In order to discharge these responsibilities, the Agency is required to maintain and develop the services needed in order to deliver these supports to children and families and provide certain services for the psychological welfare of children and their families;
Responsibility for ensuring that every child in the State attends school or otherwise receives an education, and for providing educational welfare services to support and monitor children’s attendance, participation and retention in education;
Ensuring that the best interests of the child guide all decisions affecting individual children;
Consulting children and families so that they help to shape the agency’s policies and services;
Strengthening interagency co-operation to ensure seamless services responsive to needs;
Undertaking research relating to its functions and providing information and advice to the Minister regarding those functions; and
Commissioning services relating to the provision of child and family services

Our services

The Child and Family Agency’s services include a range of universal and targeted services:

Support Services:

Commissioning
Data Protection & Freedom of Information
Health & Safety
Human Resources
ICT & Information Management
Finance
Legal Services
Estates
Quality & Regulation
Research
Workforce Learning & Development

Governance & Management

The Board

Tusla is governed by its Board which has the power to perform the functions of the Child and Family Agency. The Board is the governing body of the Agency with authority, in the name of the Agency, to perform the functions of the Agency and is strongly guided by the principles set out in the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies (2016) in meeting its responsibility to ensure that all activities in Tusla meet the highest standard of corporate governance. The Board is collectively responsible for leading and directing the Agency’s activities.

The Board provides leadership and direction through its governance framework, supported by the Board committee structure, CEO, Executive Management Team, and the Minister and Department of Children, Disability and Equality.

The detail of the Board functions is set out in Section 8 of the Child and Family Act, 2013 and includes:-

The Board is collectively responsible for establishing the Agency’s overall strategic direction within the limits of its statutory authority. The Board agrees the Agency’s strategic aims with the Minister and ensures optimal use of resources to meet its objectives.
The Board is responsible for ensuring the integrity of the Agency’s accounting and financial reporting system and for ensuring that effective systems of internal control are instituted and implemented.
The Board reviews the Agency’s controls and procedures to provide itself with reasonable assurance that such controls and procedures are adequate to secure compliance with its statutory obligations
The Board is responsible for overseeing the development of corporate strategy in conjunction with annual business planning and budget estimation, specific strategy development, and oversight of the risk policy

The Child and Family Agency Act, 2013 provides that the Chief Executive Officer is responsible to the Board for the performance of his/her functions and the implementation of Tusla’s Corporate Plan and Business Plan. Tusla, through its Board, is accountable to the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for the performance of its functions.

The Board currently consists of 11 members: the Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson and 9 ordinary members. Under Section 25 of the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013 Board members have the appropriate range of skills which allows them to discharge the functions required of them.

Learn more about The Board - https://www.tusla.ie/about/our-board/

The Chief Executive & The Executive Management Team

The Chief Executive and Executive Management Team manage day‑to‑day operations across services and support functions. Their role is to oversee the management of the agency’s business, their key responsibilities are Strategic Oversight, Performance Monitoring, Risk Management, Funding and Resource Allocation and Procurement and Governance.

Learn more about the CEO and EMT - https://www.tusla.ie/about/executive-management-team/

Regional Chief Officers

Regional Chief Officers are senior leaders responsible for directing operations within specific regions to support child and family services. They oversee service delivery and ensure integrated, safe care at a regional level. Regional Chief Officers report directly to the Executive Management Team and are key to implementing Tusla’s national reforms and service delivery.

Learn more about the Regional Chief Officers - https://www.tusla.ie/get-in-touch/regional-chief-officers/

Corporate Plans & Reports

Our Corporate Plan sets the Agency’s priorities and actions for a three‑year period.

Annual Reports provide an overview of activity, performance and audited financial statements each year.

Learn more about Corporate Plans & Reports »

Corporate Plan

Tusla’s Corporate plan 2024 – 2026 outlines the agency’s strategic direction, ambitions, and key priorities for the next three years. The plan focuses on responding to increased demand for services, implementing reforms, and improving outcomes for children, individuals and families.

Corporate Plan 2024–2026 (PDF)

Ethics & Conduct

Our Codes of Ethics and Conduct set out the Agency’s Standards of Integrity and Code of Conduct, which reflect Tusla’s Vision, Mission & Values. Respect, Kindness, Trust, and Empowerment are at the core of what the Agency uphold. The Standards of Integrity and Code of Ethics promote these values, the standards to be upheld and lived by each Tusla employee, in their engagements with all who use our services.

Learn more about ethics and conducts»

Organisation & Pay

Tusla is structured into specialist directorates to deliver services efficiently and consistently across the country.

Learn more about Tusla Organisational Structure and National Service Delivery Framework -

Pay scales and grading follow public sector frameworks and are published for transparency.

Tusla Pay Scales

Locations & Contact

Tusla have several offices and service points nationwide.

For general queries, you can contact the Corporate Office by calling 01 7718500, by email: info@tusla.ie or by visiting our website at www.tusla.ie

You can also find your local area office and service contact information online.

Learn more about Locations & Contact »

Local Area Office Tusla - Child and Family Agency

Tusla Customer Charter

The Tusla Customer Charter is a guiding document for the Child and Family Agency in Ireland, outlining the standards of service, professionalism, and respect children, families, and young people can expect.

Learn more about Tusla Customer Charter - https://www.tusla.ie/about/customer-charter/

Freedom of Information