Tusla Child Protection Referrals in Mayo top 1300 in 2024

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, handled 1,323 child protection and welfare referrals in Mayo in 2024, according to figures released in its latest annual report — reflecting continued pressure on local services.

The report also notes that in Mayo, there were 146 children in care, 142 of whom were in foster care; 25 children were taken into care, 21 for the first time. 1,191 children were referred to Family Support Services. 298 cases were open to social work at the end of 2024 22 children were active on the Child Protection Notification System (CPNS). 99 foster carers on panel at the end of 2024, including 11 newly approved carers and 67 young people were in aftercare. 

READ MORE: Mayo town mourns the passing of primary school teacher

The Mayo statistics form part of a broader national picture that saw 96,999 child protection and welfare referrals across the country — a 5% increase on 2023 and a staggering 121.5% rise since Tusla's first year in 2014, when 43,630 referrals were recorded. That equates to over 385 referrals every working day across Tusla’s six regions and 17 operational areas.

The figures highlight both the rising challenges facing Mayo families and the evolving role of Tusla in addressing complex issues such as homelessness, domestic violence, addiction, cost-of-living pressures, and global displacement.

Paddy Martin, Regional Chief Officer West North-West for Tusla commented, “The demand we are seeing in Mayo, and indeed the entire country, reflects our constantly changing society. Children’s needs are changing, and so too must our response. The future demands faster coordination, deeper interagency collaboration, and a whole-of-government commitment to children’s safety and wellbeing. Child protection does not begin or end with Tusla, it is a shared responsibility that lives in our homes, schools, communities, and national policies. 

READ MORE: Emergency services rescue members of the public on Mayo island mountain

Commenting on the report, Keira Keogh, Mayo TD and Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Children and Equality, said:

“Tusla has made commendable progress, including the launch of Ireland’s first Social Work Apprenticeship. We heard from Karen McEvoy today about the wonderful experience of completing her Masters flexibly while still being a busy Mum.”

Deputy Keogh also welcomed improvements in digital systems and increased social work retention, which rose from 87% to 91.5%, but acknowledged more remains to be done, “We cannot ignore that gaps remain — particularly the lack of a step-down, high-support service for children leaving special care. More inter-agency collaboration is urgently needed to ensure wraparound therapeutic support for children, not only in special care but across the service.”

Tusla CEO Kate Duggan has commissioned an external review of special care, leading to a new care staff grade to bolster recruitment and retention. Notably, no children are currently waiting for special care beds — a milestone for a service that has faced intense scrutiny in recent years.

Keira Keogh TD at the launch of Tusla’s 2024 Annual Report with CEO Kate Duggan

Meanwhile, Pat Rabbitte, Tusla Chairperson, praised the commitment of staff across the country:

“By almost every measure, demand for Tusla’s services is rising — but so too is our resolve and capacity. A decade on from its formation, Tusla has transformed from a fledgling agency into a national force for child welfare. Its greatest strength is its people — those who show up daily with courage and empathy.”

As the Oireachtas Committee prepares to meet CEO Kate Duggan this week, Deputy Keogh concluded with a hopeful message:

“Let us continue to build an Ireland where every child is protected, valued, and supported to thrive. To all Tusla staff: keep going, keep growing, and keep giving all you can to offer safe havens to our most vulnerable.”