Tusla chief executive Ms Kate Duggan has warned that a levy on the agency’s 2027 budget could increase risks for vulnerable children and families by restricting services during rising demand. The Irish Times reports that officials informed Tusla of its inclusion in May.
The reason is a wider government savings policy. Departments have been instructed to deliver €446 million in efficiencies and reforms in 2027 to offset part of the previous year’s overspending. The Government has promised protection for some spending areas, including infrastructure, social protection and social housing supports.
The Department of Children faces a €42 million levy across its budget. Tusla’s individual contribution is not specified in the reporting.
Ms Duggan disputes the fairness of including the agency, saying it has controlled pay and staffing expenditure and already delivered savings. She described Tusla as being “penalised for overruns in other sectors”. The reporting does not establish that Tusla was selected because of financial mismanagement, or explain why it has not been exempted.
What services are at stake? Tusla’s responsibilities include:
- Child protection and welfare, including responses to abuse and neglect.
- Foster care, residential care, special care and aftercare.
- Family support, early intervention, parenting support and counselling.
Above are examples of Tusla’s services, not a confirmed list of cuts. No specific service closures, staffing reductions or affected locations are identified in the earlier report.
The Department of Children says negotiations aim to achieve savings without cutting Tusla’s services and supports. Ms Duggan’s warning raises a clear question for Budget 2027; how will those protections be delivered while meeting the levy?
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