Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Bergin very much for his presentation. I feel a bit shell-shocked. I find it alarming that when we talk of a child who was separated for nine days and who did not get fresh air, Mr. Bergin can say that he did not know of that case. When HIQA produced the report this should have been one of the first things addressed by the directors. People in charge should have found out the background to the case. The HIQA report stated that in four out of six days of a child's period in single isolation there is no evidence of authorised reviews. I find this quite alarming. Who is reviewing these children? Who reviewed that child who was in there for nine days? What has Mr. Bergin done to rectify this? Oberstown's own policy on separation states that it should only be used for as short a time as is necessary. Will Mr. Bergin define what is a short time, what is the process, when is it used and for how long?

The HIQA report referred to cultural needs. This point was raised by the staff. Inspectors had viewed some of the files of children who were from minority groups and while the ethnic origin of the young people was recorded, staff felt that their cultural needs were not being addressed. What has been done to rectify this? It is important.

I do not want to dwell on the matter, but I wish to return to the issue of restraints and handcuffs. I am upset that in his opening remarks Mr. Bergin said that as the young people arrive in these restraints then it is okay because they are used to it. This did not sit right with me. When are handcuffs used? Are they used when these young people are going out to school? Are they used when a person goes off on one in their cell? Can Mr. Bergin please be more specific so I and my colleagues can feel a bit better about it? I would appreciate it if he could go into it in a bit more detail.