Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 November 2018
577. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she retains full confidence in the chairperson and members of the board of Oberstown Children Detention Campus in view of the refusal of the chairperson and the board to publish a report (details supplied); and the correspondence she has received from the chairperson which alluded to a threat of resignations if the report was published. [47873/18]
View answerI have full confidence in the chairperson and members of the Board of Management Oberstown Children Detention Campus in their management of the Oberstown Campus. Over the past 2 years there is evidence of positive change in the day to day operations in Oberstown. I have met with young people in Oberstown on a number of occasions in recent months, who were anxious that the many positives about Oberstown be highlighted. Furthermore, the most recent HIQA report also found that improvements were evident. I believe that these improvements have been brought about by the strong leadership of the Chairperson and the Board.
The Report referred to by the Deputy, relates to a Review that was commissioned by Oberstown Board of Management following a particularly difficult time in Oberstown in 2016. There had been serious incidents involving young people which threatened the safety of the centre.
It is imperative that a report of this kind should observe due process and fair procedures, so that all persons referred to are treated appropriately. The Board of Oberstown and I have taken legal advice on the question of publication.
Following careful examination, the Board was not in a position to satisfy itself, or myself, that fair procedures had been applied before the report was finalised and submitted. In light of this and the legal advice received, I, following careful consideration of the matter, concluded that it is not appropriate to publish the full report.
In addition to this Review, the Board commissioned a number of other reports at the same time, with a view to engaging external expertise to support the development of the Campus. These reviews included security, health and safety and behaviour management. The Review Implementation Group, which I appointed, began work to oversee all the various recommendations in March 2017. The Group’s final report in December 2017 produced a coherent plan to implement all the recommendations. An updated Action Plan was completed in May 2018 and was published on my Department’s website.
