McBride steps down as chief of under-fire child protection agency Tusla

TROUBLED child protection and welfare agency Tusla is searching for a chief executive for the second time since it was established just four years ago.

Tusla chief Fred McBride (inset) is to step down next month.

Its deputy chairman Rory O’Ferrall “accepted with regret “Mr McBride’s decision and thanked him sincerely for his contribution to the organisation over the past five years.

He said: “While operating against a very challenging backdrop, it was widely recognised that Mr McBride and his team have also presided over a period of considerable reform in which several important milestones has been reached in the advancement of child protection, welfare and support services for families in Ireland.”

The State body for the care and welfare of children has had a turbulent year of controversy.

It has continued to be hampered by a shortage of social workers and has faced criticism of its oversight of foster care services.

A Hiqa investigation found that some children are being left at potential risk because of system failures at Tusla.

The health watchdog began investigating the Child and Family Agency after the Children’s Minister ordered an inquiry in 2017 after Maurice McCabe was falsely accused of seriously abusing a child.

Mr McBride joined Tusla as Chief Operations Officer in October 2013 and took over as chief from Gordon Jeyes.