Tusla Refers Childcare Providers to Gardaí Over Vetting Issues
Tusla, Ireland’s child and family agency, has referred five individuals providing emergency childcare to Gardaí, the national police force, following concerns regarding vetting procedures. The referrals relate to staff employed in emergency arrangements, prompting scrutiny of access protocols for vulnerable children in care.
The referrals were made after an internal review by Tusla’s Child Care Unit (CCU) identified irregularities in the vetting status of the five individuals. According to a report, the staff members were immediately removed from their positions upon discovery of the issues. The nature of the vetting concerns has not been publicly disclosed.
Tusla initiated a centralized Garda Vetting Application Service on February 1st, 2025, for registered providers of early years services, including pre-school and school-age care, as well as childminders. This service is mandated under the Child Care Act 1991, as amended. However, the agency clarifies that it does not provide vetting services for employees, volunteers, students, or emergency cover personnel within these services; those checks remain the responsibility of individual providers or educational institutions.
The Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB) and Tusla collaborate closely to ensure child safety, guided by joint working protocols and national guidance. This partnership involves information sharing, joint investigations into suspected abuse or neglect, and coordinated emergency interventions. Dedicated liaison teams facilitate communication between the two organizations.
Whereas Tusla now manages vetting applications for registered providers, the process is separate from registration applications. Prospective providers are required to obtain Garda vetting before submitting a registration application and must maintain valid vetting for renewal. The recent referrals highlight potential gaps in ensuring vetting compliance within emergency childcare arrangements.
An Garda Síochána and Tusla are currently operating under established protocols for information exchange to assist in child protection investigations and welfare assessments. The Garda National Child Protection Unit plays a crucial role in safeguarding children, working in conjunction with Tusla to address harm, abuse, and neglect.
Tusla has not commented on whether the Gardaí investigation will extend to a broader review of emergency childcare vetting procedures. The agency has as well not released details regarding the specific nature of the vetting failures that prompted the referrals.