The Child and Family Agency, Tusla, has acknowledged that it cannot accurately verify how many foster carers have been removed or deregistered following complaints or allegations in recent years, citing historic recording and reporting errors.

The admission follows an inquiry by investigative outlet The Journal Investigates under Freedom of Information legislation, which exposed data inaccuracies in the state agency's records. Tusla stated that it identified "inconsistencies in the historic recording and reporting" of the requested information and conceded that it cannot currently validate the figures to a standard that would allow it to confidently stand over them.

According to the agency, the absence of centrally collated data had led to an initial overcount in recorded figures regarding foster carer removals. The situation forced Tusla to issue a formal correction to its recently published annual review of services for children after the reporting highlighted the errors in the published report.

Tusla is responsible for statutory child protection, welfare, and alternative care services in Ireland, overseeing thousands of children placed with foster carers across the country. The agency's inability to confirm historical removal figures has raised further questions regarding its data governance, record-keeping, and public accountability.