Child and Family Agency
Dail Éireann — 2026-02-19
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Norma Foley (FF), Kerry

As I said, Tusla is working consistently to reduce reliance on SEAs. I know that is the Deputy's wish as much as my own. It is also working to reduce the costs associated with these services and promote the quality and safety of these placements.
The Department is supporting Tusla in these efforts and will continue to do so.
On the week of 8 February, 84 children and young people were classified as separated children seeking international protection in special emergency accommodation, representing a decrease of four over the previous week and of 35 over four weeks previously. The bulk of the children availing of the service are separated children seeking international protection.
Under the current procedures, special emergency arrangements are reviewed regularly and used only when they are the most suitable options available at the time. There is an inconsistency in the numbers of children arriving at different times. Tusla remains committed to moving children, as quickly as possible, out of special emergency arrangements and into long-term placements where they can be supported – for example, in the foster care system.
I will come back to the other points.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-02-19/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:40+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-02-19