Taoiseach Calls Forged References at Unregulated Children’s Homes «Extremely Disturbing»

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has condemned the forging of staff references at unregulated children’s care homes as «extremely disturbing» and «unacceptable». This follows an RTÉ Investigates documentary, «Inside the Care System,» which revealed disclosures from an internal Tusla report. The revelations emerged from emails between Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, and Baig & Mirza Health Services Ltd, trading as Kare Plus Dublin South, the largest provider of such homes.

Labour leader Ivana Bacik highlighted the documentary during Dáil Leaders’ Questions, citing «shocking State failings» and the Children’s Rights Alliance’s concerns about «haunting gaps» in care. She noted the State’s inability to recruit sufficient staff despite the dire need for intervention, describing it as a «starker failure you can scarcely conceive of.» Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald called it «another scandal,» emphasizing that forged references for staff in special emergency accommodation put «vulnerable children in harm’s way.» She pointed out that over 1,000 children were placed in these unregulated, uninspected facilities last year, with the State paying millions to private operators due to a severe shortage of foster carers and regulated care home places.

Martin acknowledged the «extremely disturbing» experiences and assured that the Government takes the matter with «utmost seriousness,» citing significant investment in structural reform to eliminate inappropriate placements. He noted a rapid increase in demand for Tusla services, which has more than doubled since 2014, with 106,000 children referred last year—a 10% increase. He attributed this to complex societal pressures like domestic violence, homelessness, and addiction, with 5,900 children currently in foster or residential care and nearly 3,000 in aftercare. The Government plans to continue investing to enhance recruitment and ensure quality staff.