Reporting of child protection concerns

Following last week’s Ransomware cyberattack, the HSE and Tusla have taken a number of steps to protect their joint ICT systems. All external emails have been blocked since Friday evening as a precautionary measure while security work is undertaken and staff currently have no access to emails. The Tusla network will be continue to be disconnected from outside communications for another 48 hours as a precaution, meaning that emails from outside Tusla will continue to be blocked.

In many situations, Tusla relies on referrals from members of the public and organisations and individuals working with children to identify children at risk. If anyone has reported a child protection concern to Tusla by email since Friday evening, please be advised that this may not have been received. We ask anyone who has reported a child protection concern by email since Friday, or who has a concern about a child, to contact their local social work duty team immediately. Contact details for all social work duty teams are available on the Tusla website, www.tusla.ie.  

If you are concerned about an immediate risk to a child, you can also contact An Garda Síochána.

ENDS


For further information, contact:
Ruth McCourt / Niamh Mullen, Tusla Press Office: 087 634 8373

Notes to Editors

How do I report a concern?

Anyone can report a concern about a child.  If you have any concerns about a child you should report them to Tusla. A report can be made in person, by telephone or in writing. If you have a concern about a child, contact the local social work duty team in the area where the child lives for advice about reporting your concerns.

Contact details for local social work duty teams are available on the Tusla website at www.tusla.ie/services/child-protection-welfare/contact-a-social-worker.

If you are concerned about an immediate risk to a child, you can also contact An Garda Síochána.