44 children missing under Tusla care in April, records show
Michael Bolton
Up to 44 children were missing in Tusla care in April 2025, with 31 missing for over two weeks.
Of those 31 children, three were missing in 2025, 21 were missing in 2024, and seven were missing in 2023.
On April 24th, of the 44 children, 35 were Separated Children Seeking International Protection (SCSIP). The other children were part of the Mainstream in Contact.
Children reported missing fall into two categories: the number of missing children in the mainstream care population and Separated Children Seeking International Protection (SCSIP).
Most young people reported as ‘missing’ return to their placement after a brief period of time and remain in a safe and caring environment.
The next highest amount of children missing was on March 27th, when 43 children were missing on this date.
31 of those children missing were SCSIP. Four of the children were missing this year, with 21 missing in 2024.
Seven of the children were missing in 2023.
On January 2nd of this year, 40 children were missing, with 29 under SCSIP.
22 of the children were missing in 2024, with seven missing in 2023.
The most recent bi-weekly check, seen in a document by BreakingNews.ie under the Freedom of Information Act, was on November 6th, when 31 children were missing.
Three young people who are in mainstream care were reported as missing. One of the three young people was in contact with professionals or carers, and two were not.
One of the three young people had been missing for between one and three days, one had been missing for between three and seven days, and one had been missing for between one and two weeks.
28 SCSIP were reported missing on that date. The vast majority of young people in the SCSIP service reported as missing are aged over 16 years.
Tusla was criticised when a girl was allegedly sexually assaulted in Dublin while under their care.
The agency said she “absconded” while on a recreational trip with staff in the city centre, after which she was reported missing. Taoiseach Micheál Martin described it as a "failure here in terms of the state’s obligation to protect this child.”
Tusla said she remained in contact with staff by phone but would not identify her location.
The State care provided to the girl is now to be reviewed, Children’s Minister Norma Foley said.
In a statement to Breakingnews.ie from Tusla, a spokesperson said: "A joint protocol on young people missing from care is in place between Tusla and An Garda Síochána. Under the protocol, An Garda Síochána are notified once a young person is deemed missing and after Tusla and the young person’s carers have made all reasonable efforts to locate them.
"Once a young person has been reported missing, An Garda Síochána have primary responsibility for investigating the young person’s whereabouts.
"Throughout the Garda investigation, however, the young person’s social worker and carers continue to make enquiries with people who may be able to assist with the investigation. All information gathered through these enquiries is passed on to An Garda Síochána.
"In certain situations, where a young person is absent from their care placement for more than 15 minutes, they may be reported as ‘missing’ from care under the Joint Protocol. This could be for a range of reasons, such as missing their curfew or not returning to their placement at an agreed time.
"Generally, young people in residential care are provided with freedom to engage in community activities similar to all young people in communities across the country.
"Most young people reported as ‘missing’ return to their placement after a brief period of time and remain in a safe and caring environment, and others remain in contact, so Tusla knows their whereabouts."