Tusla is set to strengthen its services for child victims of sexual abuse through a targeted recruitment campaign aimed at delivering specialized joint interview capabilities and expanding support facilities.
The child and family agency plans to recruit additional staff this year to implement long-awaited joint interviews conducted by gardaí and social workers, marking a significant step forward in providing comprehensive support for vulnerable children.
The expansion includes new funding allocated in the upcoming budget for Barnahus centres, which are specialized facilities offering multi-agency support services. This investment will specifically support the development of a new premises in Cork and enhance early intervention programs.
These Barnahus centres represent a coordinated approach to supporting children who have experienced abuse, bringing together various professional services under one roof to minimize trauma and improve outcomes for young victims.
According to The Irish Examiner, the recruitment initiative reflects Tusla’s commitment to strengthening its response to child sexual abuse cases, ensuring more comprehensive and sensitive support for affected children and their families.
This development comes as part of ongoing efforts to improve child protection services across Ireland, with a particular focus on creating more child-centered and trauma-informed approaches to handling abuse cases.