Thirty-four children are currently missing from State care, Tusla report reveals

Thirty four children are currently missing from state care so far this year.

It is understood that 23 of the missing children came to Ireland seeking international protection and became separated from their families along the way.

One of the missing children arrived in Ireland seeking international protection has been missing since 2022, while a further 13 went missing over the course of 2023.

Children's Minister Roderic O'Gorman revealed that the 14 children were all in Tusla's Separated Children Seeking International Protection service as the time of their disappearance.

These 14 children are among 34 total missing as of May 9th, according to data obtained from Tusla by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

The department confirmed that 11 other children were missing from what it describes as mainstream care but mostly for a couple of days.

The Minister said that children who go missing in the care of the state is a matter for the Department of Justice.

In response to a parliamentary question about the missing children from the People Before Profit Dublin TD Paul Murphy, O'Gorman stated: “The care and welfare of children is a top priority for the Department and this is continuously reviewed with Tusla.

“The Department continues to keep the issue of safeguarding all children in the care of the state as a top priority. The Department receives fortnightly reports for all children and young people missing in care from Tusla .”

Paul Murphy said that it is "very concerning that there is one child missing since 2022 and 13 missing since 2023".