Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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65. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she is satisfied that the difficulties in Oberstown house are being resolved satisfactorily; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50194/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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The safety and well-being of young people and staff in Oberstown is my primary concern.

In addressing the challenges posed by the issues on the Oberstown Children Detention Campus (Oberstown), the Board of Management commissioned independent reviews in a number of key areas including operations, security, health and safety and behaviour management. In addition, all policies are being reviewed especially in the areas of care, safeguarding and professional standards on the Campus.

There were a number of objectives for these reviews. Key among these is to ensure that full account is taken of the changes that have occurred in recent times. A further objective is to ensure that the optimum care and attention continues to be given to children residing in Oberstown. Essential to this is ensuring that the people working in Oberstown are supported through good organisation, training and development.

To ensure the implementation of each of the reviews’ recommendations, as appropriate, I established a Review Implementation Group in March 2017. This Implementation Group is tasked with analysing the recommendations from the reviews and setting out the requirements and issues which require to be addressed to allow their implementation highlighting resources and policy implications. The Group includes representatives from Campus staff and management, the Board of Management, my Department, a child development expert, representatives of the IMPACT Trade Union and is chaired by the chair of the Board of Management. The Implementation Group is tasked with analysing the recommendations from the Operational Review, as well as the Security Review, Behavioural Management Review and the two Health and Safety Reviews. Work processing all of the recommendations from the reviews has been ongoing since March 2017. In line with the terms of reference, a final report setting out the requirements and issues that need to be addressed to allow their implementation is currently being finalised and I understand it is to be presented to me in December 2017. Many of the recommendations have already been implemented or are works in progress.

My paramount objective for Oberstown is the safety and well-being of the children, the staff working in Oberstown and the people living in the local community. I believe that good progress has been made and the implementation of the recommendations of the 4 review reports will bring about further improvements.