James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The table provides information from 2011 to 2013 regarding the number of cases of assault, self harm and suicide attempted by young persons on the Oberstown campus. This information is based on incidents reported by staff and management under the Oberstown "Notifiable Incidents Policy", which is available on the website of the Irish Youth Justice Service. I have arranged for a copy of this policy to be sent to the Deputy.

Notifiable Incidents - Oberstown Campus - 2011 to 2013

-	2011	2012	2013
No. of Assaults on Staff	26	20	16
No. of Self Harm Attempts	3	0	0
No. of Suicide Attempts	0	1	1

The comparable figures reported under the policy for 2014 will be available in the near future and will be forwarded to the Deputy. I am advised that unfortunately, there was a period in late 2014 when there was a small number of attempts at self harm or suicide involving a number of young people on the campus. In the case of 1 young person, there was a total of 5 attempts at self harm or suicide and in 3 other cases, 1 attempt each at self harm or suicide. All such incidents are thoroughly reviewed by management and staff and the Campus Manager has put procedures in place since these incidents to enhance monitoring and security of all children on the campus.

I understand that a number of reviews have taken place over the years in relation to residential units for both children's detention and special care. These considered issues such as unit size, layout, facilities, the mix of young people and staff numbers. The new units to be commissioned shortly on the Oberstown campus comprise of 10 bedrooms each, all of which have in-room sanitation and shower facilities. The units also include multipurpose rooms, recreational areas, kitchen, dining area and laundry facilities. The units offer greater space, flexibility of use and security than the present units on the campus. The design of the units allows for more than one type of activity to take place at any given time and in separate parts of the unit. It is envisaged that the new units will be initially used a rate of 8 children per unit and the maximum number per unit will be kept under ongoing review based on the criteria outlined above.

The report referred to by the Deputy is the subject of an ongoing human resources process on the Oberstown campus. This process is ongoing and I am advised that no steps can be taken at this time which could be interpreted as prejudicial to this process.