Tusla publishes its Annual Report and Financial Statements for 2023
Annual Report highlights surge in demand for services overall, with a 100% Increase in Child Protection and Welfare Referrals Since Tusla’s Establishment in 2014.
Tusla – Child and Family Agency is pleased to announce the publication today of its Annual Report and Financial Statements for 2023, marking a decade of service and progress, a year that saw a new high of almost 92,000 referrals to its Child Protection and Welfare Service. The 2023 Annual Report is the final one in the three-year planning and delivery framework of Corporate Plan 2021-2023.
2023 in Numbers:
- There were 91,924 referrals to Tusla’s Child Protection and Welfare Service in 2023, an 11% increase on 2022.
- 5,615 children were in care at the end of 2023, 90% of whom were in foster care.
- 47,260 children were referred to family support services in 2023.
- 432 separated children seeking international protection were received into care or otherwise accommodated in 2023, 55% more than in 2022.
- 2,904 young adults were in receipt of aftercare services at the end of 2023.
- TESS (Tusla Education Support Service) worked with 4,796 children in 2023.
- Tusla’s Early Years Inspectorate carried out 2,391 inspections of early years services in 2023.
Despite the growing demand for its services, 2023 saw much progress across the Agency, driven by its ongoing Reform Programme which has been essential in enhancing structure, practice, and culture within Tusla. Notable advancements included service improvements through the continued implementation of the Agency’s Alternative Care Strategies for Foster Care, Residential Care and Aftercare.
Further developments were made in providing therapeutic services for children and young people in care. 2023 also saw tangible progress through the Tusla People Strategy, aimed at better supporting, developing, and empowering staff across the Agency. A highlight of the year was the inaugural Social Work Awareness Week held in November, celebrating the critical work being done by social workers around the country in supporting children, families, and communities.
Speaking about the Tusla Annual Report 2023, Pat Rabbitte, Chairperson, Tusla, said, “In its ten years of existence, the Agency has grown significantly, adapting to the ever-increasing demand for its services. Since Tusla was established in 2014, child protection and welfare referrals to the Agency have doubled. Today, the Agency is challenged by the growing complexities of our work, evident from the demand for specialised services and supports, such as those for Special Care and Separated Children Seeking International Protection.
“We are greatly appreciative of the dedication of our management and staff, our community partners and foster carers, and the ongoing support of the Department and Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth - Roderic O'Gorman. This year, Tusla celebrates its tenth anniversary as a more confident Agency, conscious of areas that need improvement and resolutely determined to continue our comprehensive reform programme.”
The Tusla Annual Report and Financial Statements for 2023 are available to view on our website at https://www.tusla.ie/annualreport23/