The Oberstown annual report shows that a total of 129 young people were detained at the north Dublin facility last year.

Oberstown is Ireland’s only detention facility for young people under 18 years placed on remand or detention orders by the courts.

The total detained last year represented an increase from 110 in 2022. The average age of those detained was 16, according to the report.

Length of orders

The average daily population at the centre during the year was 35 – up from 32 the previous year.

The average length of detention and remand orders both fell last year – detention orders from 227 days in 2022 to 138 days, and remand orders from 63 to 44 days.

Of 116 onward placements in 2023:

• 74 young people went to their homes,
• 16 went to residential care,
• 14 went to relative or foster care, and
• 12 were moved to prison.

Recruitment

Writing in the annual report, director Damien Hernon said that a backdrop of almost full employment in Ireland had reduced the number of suitable graduates available to the centre, “leading to recruitment challenges at many levels”.

Chair of the Oberstown board, Koulla Yiasouma, said that the centre had operated at certified capacity on some occasions in 2023, but HIQA inspection reports had provided evidence of “substantive improvements in the care provided to young people” since its establishment.

“2024 will focus on continuous improvement, addressing staff vacancies, strengthening internal systems and processes, and working to ensure that custody is a last resort,” she stated.