Tusla special care beds plan at risk as judges order emergency detentions

For at-risk children, High Court judges ordered emergency detentions

Meanwhile, High Court judges have criticised the agency over its failure to secure enough beds.

For December, what is expected to remain on track is a second goal, which is clearing the "no beds list" of children a judge has ordered into special care who cannot get a place.

Tusla special care beds plan collides with High Court orders

In spite of no beds being available, the High Court ordered three children into special care on Monday (19 October).

A 14-year-old girl who has been drugged and sexually exploited by a group of adult men was among the children.

A teenage girl subjected to extreme sexual exploitation was another, while a third included a 16-year-old boy, who was sent into special care as he was judged to be at extreme risk from a drug gang.

Taoiseach to raise bed shortage with ministers

Taoiseach Micheál Martin, when questioned about the case on Tuesday (20 October), said he lacked the details but called it "a very serious situation, obviously".

He added he would raise it with O'Callaghan, Foley and Chambers.

The shortfall lands as spending on children's services faces scrutiny elsewhere, from planned strike action by primary school teachers to new voucher supports for Irish teenagers under Budget 2027.

How many special care beds does Tusla have open?

Tusla has 13 of a planned 26 special care beds open, the internal document shows. A target of 20 beds by the end of this year has been marked "at risk".

What is the "no beds list"?

The "no beds list" names children the High Court has ordered into special care who cannot get a place. Tusla's internal plan says clearing that list by December remains on track.