Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

With regard to the HIQA inspection and eight of the ten recommendations not being met, it is disappointing. At the same time, huge change has been taking place over the past two years in Oberstown. First, the centre did meet a number of the standards when HIQA went in. HIQA is doing its job, which is good. Some of the issues the authority raised that needed immediate attention and change were addressed as a result of the report. An action plan was developed and an agreed timescale is in place. The Oberstown staff are responding and making changes on the basis of that. Second, I have also indicated that in light of all the recommendations from the various reports, the working group I established to implement them amalgamated them into 120 recommendations. They are also being implemented and monitored. Third, HIQA judges the activity, practices, etc., on the campus and new standards are being developed.

Children have had a voice in feeding into that. We are moving towards finalising these standards and publishing them in a relatively short time.

Everything I am describing indicates an ongoing dynamic environment, particularly considering the context. It is disappointing when they do not make the standards, particularly in that time. The review conducted by the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, in 2017 was important. We have the action plan and implementation of the other recommendations. I hope that when we move towards other inspections, there will not be as many standards that are not reached. At the same time, it is a dynamic environment with some of our most challenging young people. I acknowledge the incredible commitment and openness to implementing change on the part of the campus director and his team. We have positive indications from the changes through the reduction of significant incidents over time.

There have been challenges with the issue of the doors but there have been improvements. New and better doors have been installed in one unit and this will be extended to the other units soon.