Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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178. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality what measures she is taking to support workers at Oberstown Detention Centre in light of recent incidents (details supplied); the measures she is taking to prevent similar incidents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34922/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Oberstown Children Detention Campus is the State’s only detention centre for children. The maximum occupancy at Oberstown is certified by the Minister under the Children Act 2001. This is currently set at 46 (40 boys and 6 girls) including children on detention and remand.

Children in Oberstown often have complex needs and may display aggressive behaviours. Oberstown has multidisciplinary teams help children address such behaviours.

In June 2025, two unconnected incidents occurred that resulted in some injuries to staff. While minor incidents among the children (the majority of whom are boys aged 16 and 17) are not uncommon in terms of crisis management, it is very unusual for staff to have to face the levels of aggression seen in these two incidents. The response involved the management of said incidents, attending to the immediate needs of all concerned, providing space for recovery and a reset, in order to resume operations. Following both incidents, debriefs were conducted and both are now the subject of an After Incident Review in order to capture learning. Campus support services for staff have also been very active in response to these, thankfully isolated, incidents.

It is important that Oberstown staff are safe and feel safe going to work. They do a vital and challenging job and their safety and the safety of the children they care for is paramount.

Fortunately, incidents such as this are rare. Any changes needed to policy or practice at Oberstown will emerge from the After Incident Review process.

Oberstown is independently inspected every year by HIQA and reports are made public. Any areas that HIQA inspectors identify as requiring improvement are prioritised by Oberstown management.

The 2024 HIQA Report found that “Oberstown was a well-managed service with clear lines of authority and accountability, which promoted the safe care of the young people.”

The CPT (the UN Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment) visited Ireland in May 2024 and inspected a variety of facilities including Oberstown. The CPT highlighted that in Oberstown “young persons spoke positively of the staff, highlighting their caring and young-person-centred approach”.

Oberstown management recognise the need for ongoing investment in staff training and well-being. Learning and development programmes at Oberstown maintain a strong focus on Safety Intervention training for all front-line staff, with 104 staff members participating in such training during 2024. A further eight staff members and three teachers from the Oberstown Campus School renewed their Safety Intervention Instructor certification, enhancing the strong team of trainers in this critical area of safety on campus.

The Oberstown Health and Safety team was strengthened to further develop risk management systems and processes for the Campus. In 2024 a new model of practice supervision was rolled out in Oberstown. Led by the Occupational Psychologist, this development highlights Oberstown’s continued progressive approach to staff well-being and development, providing a space to discuss and process emotional reactions. Oberstown offers in-house campus support by providing access to counselling services for staff. A Health screening programme is also available for all staff.