Oberstown statement on industrial action by Fórsa staff

August 19, 2026

Oberstown regrets that Fórsa has served notice of further work stoppages at the campus. We are disappointed that this escalation is taking place while engagement through the established industrial relations process remains ongoing.

Oberstown is also concerned by inaccurate and misleading claims currently circulating in the public domain, particularly in relation to staffing, attrition and safety. Claims that more than half of staff recruited into approved frontline roles have since left are incorrect. Eleven of the 12 approved Day Supervising Officer positions have been filled and all 11 remain in post.

Oberstown, the Department and staff representatives have engaged extensively, including through the Workplace Relations Commission. Proposals have been developed through that process and Oberstown remains fully committed to working constructively towards a resolution.

Over the past 12 months, Oberstown has taken a proactive approach to strengthening frontline staffing, in collaboration with Fórsa and with the support of the Department.

Staffing and safety facts:

• 23 frontline staff recruited over the past 12 months, including two Social Care Worker apprentices.
• Net increase of nine frontline staff over the same period, with six whole-time equivalent frontline vacancies currently remaining across Residential Social Care Worker, Night Supervising Officer and Day Supervising Officer roles.
• 11 of 12 approved Day Supervising Officer positions filled, all of whom remain in post, alongside the recruitment of six Assistant Unit Managers, strengthening frontline management, supervision and support across the campus.
• Almost two-thirds of Oberstown’s workforce have more than five years’ service, with 32.72% having between five and 20 years’ service and 32.73% having more than 20 years’ service. A further 34.55% have up to five years’ service.
• All recorded campus incidents reduced by approximately 29%, from 191 year-to-date in 2025 to 136 during the same period in 2026. This includes all incident categories recorded on campus, including slips, trips and falls, property damage and other reportable events.
• Low-level physical interventions reduced by 40% year-on-year, with 30 recorded across more than 8,000 care nights in 2026 as at 31 July.

Oberstown and Fórsa agreed in September 2025 to work collaboratively on an independent review of frontline staffing levels. Draft Terms of Reference were provided to Fórsa for comment in February 2026. Following the consultation process, an external reviewer was appointed, and the review is due to commence in August 2026.

Oberstown is also continuing to strengthen its staffing pipeline through Social Care Worker apprenticeships, third-level student placements, relief staff panels and a Social Care Worker sponsorship programme.

The safety and wellbeing of staff and young people remains Oberstown’s highest priority. Contingency planning is in place for the scheduled work stoppages and management is focused on ensuring the campus continues to operate as safely and effectively as possible during this period.

Oberstown maintains ISO 45001 certification for occupational health and safety and ISO 45003 certification for psychological health and safety. All reportable incidents are notified to the relevant authorities and managed through established health and safety procedures.

Oberstown remains hopeful that a resolution can be achieved through continued constructive engagement with Fórsa, the Department and all relevant parties.