I am concerned that the question asked repeats assertions made about recent incidents at Oberstown which were put into the public domain without consultation or verification and which contain significant factual inaccuracies. I would like to correct these inaccuracies and provide important context while being mindful of the sensitivities of the individuals involved.
Oberstown operates a system in accordance with the National Incident Management System (NIMS) for the reporting of Incidents, Accidents and Assaults (IAA). Oberstown has an ‘A’ rating with the State Claims Agency for reporting incidents on NIMS. A weekly IAA meeting reviews all incidents reported over the past week.
All individuals involved in the incidents referred to continue to be fully supported by Oberstown. Where injuries were sustained, following triage by the campus onsite medical team, four individuals were referred to hospital for further checks, none of which resulted in hospitalisation (stays in hospital). While it would not be appropriate for Oberstown to discuss details of any personal injuries outside the internal review process, I have been assured by the Director that to date the campus has not received any medical information to support the assertion that any staff member involved in the incidents received ‘life-changing injuries’. It is unhelpful to make unsupported assertions on the nature or potential repercussions of any injury sustained in an incident which is under review.
Every incident at Oberstown is subject to a thorough internal reporting and review process which operates on the principles of supporting all the individuals involved and respecting the integrity of the internal review process. Incidents are assessed in line with a ‘hot debrief’ protocol followed by an After Incident Review involving all key parties under the guidance of the campus Organisational Psychologist.
Oberstown is not experiencing ‘dangerously low staffing levels’. It is incorrect to say that ‘only 20% of the 2025 intake remains on shift’. As verified by Oberstown’s personnel and payroll records, in 2025 to date, Oberstown has recruited 18 staff, 16 of these in the roles of Residential Social Care Worker and Night Supervising Officer who work in the residential units and are involved in the day to day care of young people, and two in other areas of the campus. Of this intake, 17 remain (94.4%) – only one staff member left within six months of joining.
Oberstown operates robust health and safety systems and processes to ensure the safety of everyone on the campus – young people, staff in all departments and visitors. These systems, processes and outcomes are the subject of dynamic ongoing and periodic internal and external review and inspection in line with campus operational practices and policy and statutory requirements. The campus carries out monthly Health and Safety Audits and operates a campus-wide Health and Safety Committee.
The campus also holds itself to the highest international standards through voluntary participation in regular external audits and accreditations to international (ISO) standards.
Oberstown is also subject to annual independent inspection by HIQA.
