Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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199. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she is satisfied with the level of security measures in place at the children detention schools in view of recent reports that a number of children have absconded from the Oberstown complex. [28345/13]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm that three boys currently serving a sentence of detention in Oberstown Boys School, Lusk, Co Dublin absconded from custody on the night of Monday, 3 June 2013.

I am advised that in line with standard operational protocols, detailed descriptions and photographs of the three boys concerned were notified by Oberstown Boys School to an Garda Síochána. As of Tuesday, 10 June, two of the boys involved had been apprehended by the Garda authorities and returned to Oberstown Boys School.

The Director of Oberstown Boys School has provided an initial report to the Oberstown Board of Management and the Irish Youth Justice Service, which is based in my Department, on this incident. This report is currently being assessed.

At this juncture, I have asked the Irish Youth Justice Service to convey my concern at this incident to management in Oberstown Boys School and the Oberstown Board of Management. I understand that some immediate actions have been implemented and, following consideration of the Director's report and a full review of the incident by the Oberstown Board of Management and the Irish Youth Justice Service, any further required follow up actions will be implemented by management in Oberstown Boys School to ensure that the highest possible level of security is maintained.