Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Wednesday, 24 January 2018
Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs
HIQA Inspection Report on Oberstown Detention Centre: Discussion
9:30 am
Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I thank the Chairman for his comments. As the Chairman has focused on the issue of single separation, it has increased my commitment and motivation to have a direct conversation on this issue with the young people when I visit there. I will be happy to revert to the committee and have further discussions in terms of the views and feelings of the young people on their experiences in Oberstown and on whether in their view, things have improved. I think that is a key way of learning. We have not done that part yet in terms of moving this on.
I am aware that the Chairman represents that constituency and has commented on the safety issues from the community's perspective. The Chairman has been gracious in his comments on the meeting with the director and his staff. Certainly the next time I go to Oberstown, which as I said will be relatively soon, it may be possible for the Chairman and members of the community to join me. I would be very happy to continue those conversations with the Chairman and his constituents.