Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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602. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in view of the recent controversy in relation to a shortage of beds and staff, if she will outline the maximum number of beds available at Oberstown Girls Unit, the Boys Unit and Trinity Boys; the number of staff assigned to each unit; the current staff availability due to sick leave and so on; the staff available per shift; the available beds and staff per unit over the last six month period per day; the number of children in each unit over the last six month period;; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25441/13]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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There are currently three children detention schools (CDS) in the State: Trinity House School, Oberstown Boys School and Oberstown Girls School, all of which are located on the same campus at Oberstown, near Lusk, Co. Dublin.

1. Maximum number of beds available in Oberstown

The current certified detention capacity under the Children Act 2001 in each of the children detention schools is listed at Table 1 below, as well as the number of bedrooms currently available for use. At present, a detention unit comprising 8 bedrooms is currently not in use. However, my Department is currently working to resolve the issues involved.

Table 1: Oberstown detention capacity/capacity in use

Apart from the period from 25 February - 13 March 2013, the position as outlined above has applied since 31 August 2011 and is correct as of 28 May 2013. During the period 25 February - 13 March 2013, I am advised that it was planned to make an additional 8 bedroom places available in Trinity House School, bringing the total number of beds available in that facility to the maximum capacity of 24. However, it became apparent during this period that due to staffing issues, the maximum number of beds available to the courts had to be reinstated at 16 bed spaces and this has been the position since 13 March 2013.

2. The number of staff assigned to each unit

3. The current staff availability due to sick leave and so on

4. The staff available per shift

There are 2 grades of staff that are assigned to each Children Detention School for care purposes, which are designated as Residential Care Workers (RCWs) and Night Supervision Officers (NSOs). In relation to each of the issues raised at (2) - (4) above, I am arranging for the most accurate information possible to be collated and provided separately to the Deputy. I can however confirm that as of 30 April 2013, there are a total number of 95.9 RCW staff and 35.4 NSO staff (whole time equivalents) on the payroll of the Oberstown campus, assigned to each Children Detention School as outlined in Table 2:

Table 2: Oberstown Campus – Care staff allocations (30 April 2013)

The totals listed above are subject to further clarification in terms of the total number available for actual service, excluding short term sick leave absences. The adjusted figures for each grade, accounting for short term sick leave, will be addressed in a separate response to be provided to the Deputy.

5. The available beds and staff per unit over the last six month period per day

The available beds in each Children Detention School is outlined at (1) above. In relation to staff available, the information is not immediately available in the format requested by the Deputy for all three Children Detention Schools. However, I am arranging for the information to be collated and provided directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

6. The number of children in each unit over the last 6 month period

This information requested by the Deputy is currently being collated and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.