Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. As everyone in the House will appreciate, Oberstown works with and serves children who have very profound difficulties. Many of them have had a very bad start in life and have immense needs and great difficulties. Sadly, they are often a risk to themselves, to other people, including family members, and to their communities. This is a very hard area to work in. The staff who work in this area are very dedicated, generally speaking, and have a vocation to work with children who have such significant and difficult needs. Several reports have been published. They outline the reforms that are required at Oberstown. Recommendations from these reports have been published and incorporated into the overall reform plan, which is being limited. The Minister, Deputy Zappone, has the board's legal advice with regard to this and that has been accepted. I am sure that when further opportunities arise, the Minister will be able to answer the Deputy's questions in a little more detail than I can in the course of this debate.

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