The CEO of the child and protection agency Tusla is to step from his role next month.

In a statement, the agency's board said CEO Fred Mc Bride had informed it of his decision today.

Deputy chairman Rory O'Farrell told staff that the board had accepted the resignation "with regret" and had "thanked him sincerely for his contribution to the organisation over the past five years."

Mr O'Ferrall said it was "widely recognised" that Mr McBride and his team had presided over a period of reform in which "several important milestones has been reached in the advancement of child protection, welfare and support services for families in Ireland."

He said a formal process to recruit a new CEO "will commence in due course."

Announcing his decision, Mr McBride acknowledged the hard working staff of Tusla and their "unstinting commitment in the delivery of child and family support services nationally."

"I also want to thank the members of the Tusla Board for their ongoing support of the entire management team throughout some very challenging periods of my tenure, and to acknowledge in particular the Chair of the Board, Norah Gibbons at this time,” he said.

Mr McBride joined the agency as its Chief Operations Officer in 2013 and was appointed CEO in February 2016.