Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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194. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he is satisfied that Oberstown Children Detention Campus is implementing and adhering to the best Covid-19 practices; the procedures in place to protect children and staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31965/20]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I have been advised by Oberstown Children Detention Campus of the measures that have been put in place to actively manage the potential threat of COVID-19 on campus.

These measures have two key aims: (i) to reduce the risk to staff and young people of contracting COVID-19 by taking proactive steps to keep Oberstown free from COVID-19 and (ii) to put plans and procedures in place to control and limit the spread of the virus among staff, young people and visitors if a case is confirmed.  Measures were initiated on 2 March 2020 and, up to 19 October 2020, there was no positive case of COVID-19 on campus.

Oberstown has a COVID-19 Safety Implementation and Monitoring Committee with cross-campus input. This committee includes senior management, groups on campus and lead worker representatives. The committee has been meeting weekly to monitor compliance with COVID-19 requirements and to take further actions in line with new Government guidelines.

The Committee has identified and overseen key actions in accordance with the Return to Work Safely Protocol issued by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation.  The Committee has also drawn up a matrix summarising the measures that apply across the campus at various levels of the 5-level framework.

Oberstown operates residential units with teams of staff assigned to each unit. The units are designated as self-contained work areas with the aim of limiting interaction between staff from different groups. Audits and risk assessments of foot traffic across the campus have been carried out by the Health and Safety officer to identify areas of greatest risk. Communal areas and entrances have clear signage reminding staff of the requirements of social distancing, hand hygiene and cough etiquette.

Ongoing communications have emphasised the core public health guidance messages and addressed issues specific to Oberstown’s unique environment. COVID-19 messages are communicated through management, team briefings and other communications channels.

Oberstown has put in place a management oversight team should a suspected case arise amongst young people or staff members. Standard Operating Procedures and appropriate PPE are in place and risk assessments are in operation.  

In the circumstances, I am satisfied that Oberstown has robust policies and procedures in place to ensure the safety of staff and children on campus in relation to COVID-19.