This section provides information on the number of children in the care of Tusla by placement type and age. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is Ireland’s State agency which is responsible for improving wellbeing and outcomes for children. Under the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, Tusla is charged with supporting and promoting the development, welfare and protection of children and the effective functioning of families. Sometimes, after extensive social work intervention and assessment, a child may need to be placed in alternative (State) care in order to receive adequate care and protection. In these instances, Tusla has a statutory responsibility to provide alternative care services under the provisions of the Child Care Act 1991, as amended. Children can enter care with the voluntary agreement of their parents or under a court order. When a child is in the care of Tusla, the child can be placed in foster care, including relative foster care, in residential care or in special care.
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