In a letter to Fórsa, Minister Norma Foley TD, Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, has confirmed that there will be no increase in the maximum number of referrals that can be made to Oberstown Children’s Detention Campus at this time, and that a review of capacity will take place later this year. Fórsa has requested full involvement in the review. 

Staff have consistently raised concerns about serious security challenges at the facility due to short staffing. Last summer, the issues came to a head when a series of violent incidents took place. Nine staff were injured with some requiring hospitalisation, and one staff member sustaining ‘life-altering injuries’. At the time, Fórsa called on the Minister to address the short staffing and capacity challenges as quickly as possible.  

Fórsa official Deirdre O’Connell Hopkins said: “It is very welcome that the Minister has finally acknowledged there are challenges at Oberstown. That’s thanks to the commitment of Fórsa members who have persistently sounded the alarm about the very serious risks to staff and young people in Oberstown.”   

“Our members are willing to do what is required to make the campus as safe as practically possible, even if that means taking industrial action.” 

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