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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Oberstown staffing and safety

Summary

Ruairí Ó Murchú raised industrial action at Oberstown over staffing, safety and capacity, and linked it to concerns about assaults and detention conditions. The Taoiseach described Oberstown as a difficult but important facility, praised staff and cited oversight findings showing strong provision.

Members of the Fórsa trade union working at the Oberstown Children Detention Campus will commence industrial action, including work to rule, tomorrow, 25 June, on the basis of issues with staffing and safety and capacity concerns. We have all heard about them. Reports of assaults are in the public domain. I have spoken to a number of people who work in Oberstown. What is the Government's response going to be? We need this place of detention to be safe for those who work in it and, obviously, for the children who are detained there.

I will quickly deal with legal fees and associated claims for State claims payments for the last three years. In 2023, the figure was €854,645; in 2024, it was €826,541; and last year, it was €861,807. Obviously, there is a particular issue here. It needs to be dealt with and we need a Government response.

Comment on this

Oberstown is the State's only dedicated detention facility for children, providing care, education, health and rehabilitation supports. Children with complex needs are often referred to Oberstown by the courts. There is always a very difficult balance between safety and care. The latest available information shows that 129 children were detained in Oberstown in 2023, 120 in 2024 and 119 in 2025. I pay tribute to all those who are working there because HIQA found strong provision in Oberstown in education, health and aftercare planning. The Council of Europe committee for the prevention of torture, CPT, report in 2024 showed that young people spoke positively about staff and their approach. I hope this matter can be resolved through the industrial relations machinery. Work is perhaps under way to resolve it.

Comment on this