New figures released to Aontú Leader and Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín show that 13 unaccompanied minors are currently recorded as missing from Tusla care or accommodation for over 6 months. The figures also reveal that 127 reports of unaccompanied children going missing have already been recorded in 2026, exceeding the total for the whole of 2025.
Deputy Tóibín said “These figures are deeply concerning. Tusla has confirmed that 15 unaccompanied minors are currently recorded as missing from care or accommodation. Thirteen of those children have been missing for between six months and one year. These are children who arrived in Ireland without their parents or usual guardians and who came under the protection of the State. I have asked the Minister for Children through Parliamentary Question as to where the boys that got killed in the horrific collision on the M9 missing from Care at the time.”
“The number of children reported missing is also increasing sharply. Tusla recorded 47 missing incidents in 2024, 117 in 2025 and 127 already in 2026. This year’s figure has already surpassed the total recorded for the entirety of last year.”
“Tusla has acknowledged that the period between a child’s arrival in the country and their entry into the separated children service is a period of heightened risk. The figures show that children have gone missing before receiving trafficking risk assessments, highlighting the vulnerability of some of the young people entering State care.”
“Every missing child case represents a young person whose welfare and safety must be the highest priority. When a child remains missing for months, it raises serious concerns and underlines the importance of robust safeguarding measures and close coordination between all agencies involved.”
“These children came into the care and protection of the State. The fact that 13 remain missing for such prolonged periods should concern us all. The focus must be on locating these children, ensuring their safety and strengthening the systems that are designed to protect vulnerable young people. Every child who enters State care must be accounted for and every effort must be made to ensure that no child falls through the cracks.” Concluded the Deputy
