Oberstown Staff Strike Over Safety and Bed Capacity

Staff at the Oberstown Youth Detention Centre in north County Dublin are engaged in an industrial relations dispute over staffing levels and safety. The Fórsa union organized a 12-hour strike on August 25, 2026, which left only catering staff to support 40 detained youths. This action follows a period of work-to-rule and weekly stoppages that began in June, with a further 48-hour strike scheduled for August 31 to September 1.

Fórsa argues that recruitment and capacity issues have compromised safety for both staff and residents. The union specifically opposes plans by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to increase the number of beds for boys from 42 to 44, claiming the move ignores existing resource challenges.

Director Damien Hernon has called for a "ceasefire" in the dispute, warning that the withdrawal of frontline care staff creates an unacceptable risk to the safety and wellbeing of everyone on campus. Management disputes the union's claims, noting that 23 frontline staff were recruited over the last year and that campus incidents have decreased by 29 percent year-to-date. The Department of Children stated that Budget 2026 provided over 2.1 million euros to increase staffing by 11 whole-time equivalent posts. Despite engagement through the Workplace Relations Commission, the dispute remains unresolved.