Internal records from Tusla, the child and family agency, have revealed troubling conditions faced by approximately 170 children in State care who are housed in overcrowded emergency accommodation, raising serious concerns about their safety and well-being.

These unregulated placements, termed "special emergency arrangements," have become a point of contention due to reports of inadequate living conditions and the heightened risk of abuse faced by some children forced to share bedrooms with others.

The leaked documents, including internal emails, briefings, and case notes, shed light on alarming instances of children contracting scabies, living in rooms infested with bed bugs, and enduring lengthy commutes to school due to accommodation placements in isolated locations.

Of particular concern are the unaccompanied minors, comprising two-thirds of the children in these emergency arrangements, who are asylum seekers without guardians. Overcrowding in these accommodations has led to shared bedrooms, prompting fears of potential abuse among residents.

Furthermore, the high occupancy rates have made it challenging to manage contagious infectious diseases, with recurring cases of scabies posing a persistent health risk to vulnerable children. The lack of dedicated social workers for some children also constitutes a significant breach of legal requirements.

Tusla has emphasized its commitment to overseeing emergency accommodation and reducing the number of children placed in such arrangements. Efforts are underway to transition children to regulated settings as soon as alternative placements become available.

While Tusla cannot comment on individual cases, it asserts its readiness to take immediate action in response to reported concerns, reaffirming its dedication to safeguarding the welfare of children under its care.