Tusla admit improvements are needed following recent worrying figures

Following concerns raised by watchdog HIQA, the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, have acknowledged that improvements are needed in a number of areas where children are living in direct provision.

In comparison to 1.6% of the general population, figures have shown that 14% of children living in these centres were referred to the Child and Family Agency over the course of just one year.

Accepting and acknowledging the gravity of these concerns, Gordon Jeyes, Chief Executive of Tusla, asserted improvements are currently underway, explaining; "This will involve deploying temporary additional management and practice capacity to deal with any backlog of referrals and to ensure that new referrals are dealt with in an appropriate, proportionate and timely manner."

Issues highlighted by HIQA include the proximity in which children are living to unknown adults on the same site as well as inappropriate contact between adults and children.

Responding to both these concerns and a number of proposed recommendations, Mr. Jeyes said: "An Action Plan has been prepared and will be submitted to HIQA in response to the Report in the coming days."