Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would like to welcome Koulla. It was very interesting to hear her opening statement. To say that she is eminently qualified for the role is not an overstatement. I note that she is quite happy with the work done by her predecessor, Professor Kilkelly, which means that she is going into a situation with which she is reasonably comfortable. I know very little about prisons or schools of detention. Like many people of my generation, what comes to mind is Brendan Behan's Borstal Boy, although I am sure that is history. More recently, there were places like Letterfrack which did not enjoy the best of reputations. I am glad to know that a new approach, or at least new to me, is being taken that helps to make life bearable for the inmates and prepares them for life afterwards while at the same time fulfilling the very necessary duty of keeping the community at large safe. I note in general reading about Oberstown that it has housed people who have committed very serious criminal offences, including murder.

My first question relates to the age group catered for at Oberstown, which I understand is from ten to 18. That is a very big spread. I used to teach at both primary and second level and know there can be a huge difference among people across a couple of years, not to mind eight years. How does Oberstown manage to operate that? Are the groups segregated by age? To what extent can the older boys impact on younger, more vulnerable people? Are the younger people protected from the older inmates?

Second, despite enlightened approaches there is still a tendency to see violence in institutions like this. I have noticed a few examples. There was an escape attempt in 2017, in which a number of guards were injured. Most recently, there was an incident where the inmate, boy A, was attacked. Is it easier to achieve control in this type of centre as compared with an ordinary mainstream prison or is it the same level of difficulty? On funding, the centre seems to enjoy a very liberal budget of €27 million per annum. I am confused as to how many people are actually in the centre. One statistic says that there are 46 people - 40 males and six females. Another statistic mentions 102. Can Ms Yiasouma enlighten me on that?