Joan Freeman (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The second part is about the health of the child. I was deeply concerned to see that not all the Oberstown staff had been trained in Children First. I ask for an update on that.

The first-aid training the staff received did not include basic elements such as the management of burns, broken bones, scalding or wounds that are bleeding. These are everyday hazards that occur with children in this environment; they get broken bones, cuts and other wounds. I again seek an update. Has that improvement in training been implemented?

The next item is very close to my heart. Research shows that children who are incarcerated usually engage in self-harming behaviours. I would like Mr. Bergin to answer this question before the others. What do the Oberstown staff do with children who self-harm?

Those are the three basic concerns I have. This is not scrutinising or condemning the witnesses. We can only improve if people make us aware of the areas in which we need to improve. This is a wonderful opportunity for Mr. Bergin and his organisation to make valuable improvements in Oberstown. He should not see this as me lashing out at him. It is something that really concerns me.