Dáil Debates - By Topic

[Oral Answers]...the steps taken by the board of a campus (details supplied) to facilitate a return visit by the authors of the operational review of the centre in order to offer feedback to staff and stakeholders. [Q. No(s) 11 to Minister for Children and Youth Affairs ]

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[Oral Answers]...if she has given consideration to publishing the report by persons (details supplied) into Oberstown Youth Detention Centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [Q. No(s) 14 to Minister for Children and Youth Affairs ]

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[Questions] A huge injustice has been done to Goldson and Hardwick, who concluded the operational review into Oberstown, to the staff in that organisation and to the children being managed there by the non-publication of the report despite the promises given, and by the lack of facilitation of those...

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[Questions] I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 14 together.
In September 2016, the Oberstown board of management commissioned an external independent review of operations and best practice at the campus. The review was undertaken by two international experts in this field, Professor Barry Go...

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[Questions] The Minister's response has actually made the situation worse in light of the sequence of events which we know of thanks to the work of RTÉ in unearthing some of the emails. We know that the legal advice of the Attorney General did not state that the report could not be published in ful...

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[Questions] As an Opposition spokesperson for children and youth affairs, it is my role to hold the Minister and her Department to account. In this instance, a report commissioned in 2016 has not been published. I hear what the Minister is saying about legal advice and that she has spoken to the A...

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[Questions] I do not accept the suggestion that my response makes this worse. I appreciate what Deputy Rabbitte is saying but I have been describing a process. There have been a number of reports and reviews, including by HIQA which had sight of the full operational review, accepted the recommenda...

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[Questions] The reason I stated that the Minister's response made the situation worse is that it was not accurate. We have a new departure now in that, for the first time on the record of this House, the reviewers' work is being questioned. It is being hinted that they went outside the terms of re...

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[Questions] The Minister mentioned HIQA and stated that there had been improvements. However, a HIQA report from earlier this year outlined concerns about the inappropriate use of handcuffs at Oberstown, as well as concerns about the facility's approach to child protection complaints. The Minister...

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[Questions] This is a question to which I also want an answer. I cannot understand how withholding this report is in the best interests of the children currently in Oberstown. These children deserve to have their human rights upheld and part of that means independent, external oversight. This is ...

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[Questions] I share deeply the Deputies' concerns for the safety of the children, and support for them in Oberstown. I have been there many times and I am going there this afternoon. I have met staff on their own, management on their own and the children on their own. I want the children and youn...

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[Oral Answers]...if he will provide details of the reported 16 boys currently being held in adult prisons; when these boys will be placed in more age-appropriate settings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [Q. No(s) 126 to Minister for Children and Youth Affairs ]

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[Questions] I raise the issue of the 16 boys aged 17 years currently detained in the adult prison system. Yesterday, HIQA published an inspection report on the Oberstown campus which highlights significant risks for the children aged up to 16 years currently detained there. There is frequent use ...

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[Questions] The programme for Government commits us to end the practice of detaining children in adult prison facilities. Significant progress has been made in implementing this important objective. Before this Government took office, both 16 year old and 17 year old boys were detained in the adul...

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[Questions] It is critical, as we move towards the transfer of the final cohort of children out of the adult prison system, that the facility that is to receive them be operational to the highest and most appropriate standards. That very definitely is not the case, as the report published yesterday...

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[Questions] A campaign is ongoing to recruit more than 60 new care staff for the operation of the expanded Oberstown campus, and 38 staff have been recruited to date. My Department is making progress on the necessary legal changes required to transfer responsibility for 17 year old boys from adult ...

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[Questions] I have to ask the Minister, in the light of the publication of the report yesterday, and previous commentary relating to the Oberstown campus management, if he has, and if we can have, confidence in the current management's commitment and ability to ensure that the system in operation th...

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[Questions] A question, please.[An Leas-Cheann Comhairle]

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[Questions] -----that are not evident to us. Will the Minister consider publication of the McElfatrick report, which I believe will shed light on the current state of affairs and that which has applied in regard to Oberstown over some considerable time past? Without that report being in the public...

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[Questions] The Deputy asked me if I had confidence in the management at Oberstown to ensure that we have standards in place that are safe. I have confidence in the management there. They have put in place a plan that will address the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, report. The ac...

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[Questions] And the McElfatrick report?[Ó Caoláin, Caoimhghín]

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[Questions] I will cover the McElfatrick issue as well, but in regard to this Bill, we have had a huge number of complications in what seemed like a simple piece of legislation. When it is being examined by parliamentary counsel, questions come back in volumes with regard to policy issues, etc. We...

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[Oral Answers]...if progress has been made in addressing the problems at the Oberstown centre; the involvement she and her department have had in seeking to resolve them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [Q. No(s) 35 to Minister for Children and Youth Affairs ]

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[Questions] I and the other two members of the Joint Committee on Children and Youth Affairs, who are in the Chamber, visited Oberstown. I know the Minister is well aware of the difficulties there and we all want to see progress on this. There seems to be some threat of further industrial action. ...

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[Questions] I am anxious to see an early resolution to all the issues in the Oberstown centre. The safety and well-being of young people and staff is my primary concern.
I have taken an active involvement in understanding the challenges that are facing Oberstown and in trying to identify the best...

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[Questions] I thank the Minister for her response and I welcome it. She has visited Oberstown a number of times and I and my two colleagues have visited it as well. There is deep concern about the situation there. We would all agree that the school is running well. There has been a positive expe...

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[Questions] Before calling the Minister, Standing Orders permit me with respect to Other Questions to give other Deputies an opportunity to ask a brief supplementary question in order that the Minister might answer all the questions. I call Deputy Rabbitte first to be followed by Deputy Ó Laoghaire...

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[Questions] I thank Deputy O'Sullivan for posing this question. My question is about a timeframe for the reviews, as has been asked by Deputy O'Sullivan. Also, with regard to the Workplace Relations Commission, what is the Department doing to avert the possible industrial action? My understanding...

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[Questions] I recognise that the priority must be the children, the interests of the child are at the heart of everything the staff and management do and that is their primary concern, but I do not believe staff would take the decision to take industrial action lightly.
What progress has been made...

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[Questions] I thank the Deputies for the questions. A meeting with IMPACT, Department officials and Oberstown management took place last week and the parties are in discussion to move forward matters of particular concern regarding the safety and well-being of staff as well as of children. Matters...

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[Questions] The Minister has given us a good deal of information but the real concern is if there is a strike, serious issues arise about the safety of the young people and how they will be looked after. I do not know if there is a plan or if the Minister has genuine hope that this process will add...

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