Joan Freeman (Independent)
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I welcome Mr. Bergin and Professor Kilkelly. I apologise in advance as I will be leaving in about 15 minutes. If the responses are not finished by then, I hope that my colleagues will follow up on some of the questions I will put.

While I thank Mr. Bergin for his statement, it is very typical of statements where it is about how wonderful it is that things have improved. I have some concerns. The child is not central to this statement. Mr. Bergin spoke about how he is improving things for staff. He spoke about putting different structures in place. Mr. Bergin briefly mentioned restrictive practices usually when children are brought in at the beginning. Two really serious concerns are not addressed in the opening statement. It is all very well to put structures into the organisation, but if the child is not central to everything, then none of this is worthwhile.

Mr. Bergin referred to the nature of the children and that they have challenging behaviours and also about how the lack of resources may be impeding any major progress. The reality is that Oberstown is for children with challenging behaviours. The system should have been created around that. The two basic things I want to discuss have nothing to do with resources. First, I presume restrictive practice means single separation and restraints. Is that correct?