HIQA received 60 'concerns' over the last two years regarding Tusla’s handling of complaints and allegations of child abuse in foster care and residential centres. 

Records released under the Freedom of Information Act show that concerns remain over the way in which the child and family agency processes and investigates allegations and complaints.

Several of the complaints received by HIQA related to the child and family agency’s management of child protection allegations and its response to child safeguarding concerns.

In February 2021, an individual contacted HIQA to highlight their dissatisfaction with the outcome of Tusla investigation.

Another complaint that year raised concerns about the admission process, communication and complaints handling, according to documents released by the health watchdog.

In August 2022, an individual raised concerns about the management of allegations of abuse.

In September that year, concerns were raised about a child's quality of care - including care planning, communication, governance and management.

Suzanne Connolly, chief executive of Barnardos, said it is vital that people's concerns are listened to.  

“It is important that when individuals are unhappy with the response that they receive from state agencies such as Tulsa that they have an opportunity to register those concerns with HIQA. 

“And to receive care and attention in relation to what their concerns are.” 

Concerns referred to HIQA are separate to those received directly by Tusla.

In a statement to Newstalk, Tusla said:

“Tusla – Child and Family Agency, as a state agency provides the full statutory service for child protection and welfare services for communities across the country.

"In 2021, we received over 70,000 referrals. It is not unusual for a public sector organisation of that scale to be the subject of some complaints from service users. Tusla has its own complaints procedure called Tell Us which aims to resolve complaints promptly.

"Tusla welcomes complaints and feedback from service users about their experience of Tusla, and we use this information to learn from and support on-going improvements to services provision.

"Complaints are processed and analysed on an individual and aggregate level from a quality assurance perspective, to ensure learnings are shared across the organisation and to inform decision making and service improvement plans.

 "If an individual has a concern about a Tusla Service or is unhappy about their experience of engaging with a Tusla Service, they can provide feedback or report their concern directly to a staff member, or, through our Tell Us Process."

HIQA declined to comment.