Tusla Reviewing Foster Practices After Woman Told To Lose Weight

Tusla informed prospective foster parents that they needed to lose weight before being approved to care for a child.

It has come to light in the Irish Independent that, despite a national shortage of foster care placements, the agency’s foster committee was using outdated BMI guidelines.

In one case, a woman was denied the opportunity to foster solely based on her BMI, with a Tusla staff member telling her during a virtual meeting that she "couldn’t run after a toddler."

Following her complaint, it was revealed that the Foster Care Committee had been relying on outdated policies, leading to biased decisions. 

Tusla has since stated that the guidance is under review.