Tusla, the Irish child and family agency, reports that vulnerable children in special-care units were injured 116 times over the past year. The injuries occur in secure, last-resort accommodation used for children who need intensive support due to complex psychological and social circumstances. The units are described as providing secure care for children aged between 11 and 17.
Both outlets attribute the figures to Tusla’s reporting and highlight ongoing safety challenges within these settings. While the accommodation is intended for children whose needs cannot be met through less restrictive options, Tusla says it continues to face an “ongoing challenge” involving violence. The reports present the 116 injury figure as evidence of frequent incidents affecting children in care within the special-care system.
The coverage does not provide additional breakdowns of the injuries, such as severity or who caused them, and does not specify whether the reported number represents an increase or decrease compared with earlier years. The focus remains on the prevalence of injuries in secure accommodation and Tusla’s acknowledgment of persistent violence-related pressures.
