Mr. Pat Bergin:

No.

The use of restraint is based on whether there is a harm to somebody else. It is not used if they are harming themselves, unless they are using an implement to cut themselves and that may be taken off them. Somebody may break a piece of cutlery or a cup and the intention is to try to remove that safely. The risk is assessed according to whether they are just threatening themselves or inflicting pain on themselves. If they are inflicting pain on themselves, consideration is given to the level of pain or damage. Sometimes young people scratch themselves and then they say they have cut themselves and they look for attention. There is a range of behaviours. Each young person will behave differently. Our staff are constantly monitoring young people. For young people in particular, we have five minute observations, ten minute observations and half an hour observations depending on the associated level of risk. There is a general default position in Oberstown, which is that there is a possibility that any child there will inflict harm on themselves.