Tusla ends use of special emergency arrangements

Tusla has said its use of Special Emergency Arrangements (SEAs) has ended.

Emergency care placements for children and young people are now operating within the legislative framework of the Child Care Act according to the agency.

SEAs were used when no registered placement was available to children following placement breakdowns or for those with complex needs.

They were heavily criticised by opposition politicians and children's advocates due to the length of time children lived in them and because many were operated by private companies commissioned by Tusla.

There was significant concern over the increasing reliance on for-profit providers to deliver emergency care, due to the high costs involved.

The Child and Family Agency has said transition, introduced in June, marks "a significant reform" in how emergency placements are governed.

They are now being categorised as registered private residential centres, Tusla emergency centres or private temporary placements.

Under the new framework, registered private residential centres are registered by Tusla's Alternative Care Inspection and Monitoring Service (ACIMS) and are subject to inspection by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).

Tusla emergency centres operate under the agency's direct governance and inspected by HIQA, while private temporary placements are "time-limited emergency placements" provided by organisations "working towards registration".

Tusla has said these placements are limited to 45-days before the children transition to either a registered private residential centre or a Tusla emergency centre.

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The agency has also said emergency intake units for separated children seeking international protection have been introduced, replacing the previous use of SEAs during periods of increased demand.

It said the units were fully registered and inspected by ACIMS in line with HIQA standards.

Chief Executive Kate Duggan said the changes would strengthen safeguards by ensuring every emergency placement operates within legislation and is subject to appropriate oversight and accountability.

"While emergency situations will always arise in our work, moving fully into a regulated framework is a critical step in raising standards, supporting providers to meet requirements, and reducing reliance on arrangements that were never intended to be long-term solutions," she said.

Enhanced governance, oversight and safeguarding arrangements will remain in place during the transition as statutory residential care capacity is expanded, and additional staff recruited according to Tusla.

The statement comes as representatives of Children's Residential and Aftercare Voluntary Association (CRAVA), some of whom had been critical of Special Emergency Arrangements, will before the Oireachtas Children's Committee tomorrow.