Ms Koulla Yiasouma:

It was exacerbated. The work we did before I left my previous job showed it was not healthy for a young person to be separated. The statistics show it is less than 13 hours at any given time, but we need to bear in mind the question of whether it is a regular occurrence. The staff and director are very alive to the single separation issue. My understanding from Professor Kilkelly is that she monitors it between board meetings and is kept informed on it. In light of my interests, I will be doing the same. Oberstown is nearly at its peak number, which sometimes exacerbates the situation. It is not good. I am not saying what the solution is, but having read the board's papers for last month and this month, it is something that all the staff – not just the board – are very alive to. We need to get the numbers to the minimum. I assure the committee that we are not talking about solitary confinement or days. We are not even talking about one day. If it is happening regularly, though, then I get the point.