Unallocated child protection cases more than triple in Midwest - Clare Echo

THE number of child protection and welfare cases awaiting allocation in the Midwest has more than tripled in six months, according to figures provided by Tusla. There were 631 unallocated cases in the Midwest at the end of the second quarter of 2026, compared with 201 at the end of 2025. The latest figures were … Unallocated child protection cases more than triple in Midwest Read More »

THE number of child protection and welfare cases awaiting allocation in the Midwest has more than tripled in six months, according to figures provided by Tusla.

There were 631 unallocated cases in the Midwest at the end of the second quarter of 2026, compared with 201 at the end of 2025.

The latest figures were provided by Tusla in response to a parliamentary question from Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD, who sought a regional breakdown of unallocated child protection and welfare cases.

The Midwest figure represents an increase of 430 cases, or 214%, in the space of six months.

The number of open cases in the Midwest also increased substantially over the same period, rising from 1,058 at the end of 2025 to 2,789 at the end of Q2 2026.

Tusla’s figures cover the Midwest region, which includes Clare.

Nationally, the number of unallocated cases fell from 5,319 at the end of 2025 to 4,754 at the end of Q2 2026.

The Midwest was one of two regions to record an increase over the period, alongside West North West, where unallocated cases rose from 163 to 812.

Unallocated cases fell in Dublin Mid-Leinster, Dublin North East, the South East and the South West.

Tusla received 106,444 referrals during 2025, representing a 10% increase on 2024 and a 53% increase on 2020.

In its response, Tusla said it is committed to ensuring that children open to its child protection services are allocated a key worker.

It said all referrals and concerns about children are screened and assessed in line with normal practice and that where a child is found to be at immediate risk, an immediate response is provided.

Tusla also said social work management continues to provide oversight of cases awaiting a specific dedicated key worker, with available workers assigned temporarily and supports provided to meet immediate needs.

Mr Tóibín said the figures showed a child protection system under significant pressure.

“The regional figures are stark,” he said. “This indicates that the pressures are not confined to one area but are being felt right across the State.”

He called for greater frontline staffing and action to reduce the number of cases awaiting allocation.

Tusla noted that the figures need to be interpreted in the context of a change to how allocated cases were reported from January 2025.

Data for 2020 to 2024 is based on allocation to social workers only, while figures from January 2025 are based on allocation to case workers, including social workers and other professionals.

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