Tusla Update on Services during Level 5 Restrictions

Tusla – Child and Family Agency continues to provide key services during new Level 5 restrictions announced by Government.

As an essential front line service provider, Tusla will continue to provide services across core areas that support children and families at risk. Our key priorities at this time remain:

• Child protection
• Children in care;
• Domestic, sexual and gender based violence services, in conjunction with our partners and funded agencies.

Many other services within Tusla will continue including our early years’ regulatory function as many early years’ services reopen on January 4th and Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) as schools reopen on January 11th.

Anyone with a concern about the wellbeing or safety of a child at this time should contact their local duty social work office. Details are available here.

If there is an urgent concern call An Garda Síochána on 999/112.

Supports remain available for anyone at risk of domestic, sexual or gender based violence and Tusla has made specific immediate funding available to the sector including an increase in funding to the national helplines operated by Women’s Aid and Dublin Rape Crisis Centre to increase capacity in light of anticipated extra demand. Support is available at the following numbers:

• Garda Síochána (24 hours) 999/112 or your local Garda station
• Women’s Aid Helpline (24 hours) 1800 341 900
• Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Helpline (24 hours) 1800 778 888
• Men’s Development Network Male Advice Line 1800 816 588
• Mens Aid Ireland 01 5543811

Speaking about the restrictions, Bernard Gloster, CEO, Tusla, said “As we move into another phase of restrictions, I would like to again reassure the public that all referrals or concerns about children are being screened and assessed in line with normal practice and that where a child is at immediate risk, they receive an immediate protective response.

Our staff around the country are working to ensure the continuity of supports and services at this time. We would encourage anyone who has a concern about a child to contact the local duty social work office, or where there is an urgent concern to contact An Garda Síochána.

It is also essential that adults who may be at risk of domestic, sexual or gender based violence are aware that all response services are open and available.

Now, more than ever, it is important that we all continue to work together to keep children, families and each other as safe as possible.