Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published seven inspection reports on permanent International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres. 

IPAS centres, formerly known as direct provision centres, provide accommodation for people seeking international protection in Ireland.

HIQA inspects the quality and safety of permanent IPAS centres against the National Standards for accommodation offered to people in the protection process (2019).

Reports have been published on:

• Dominick Street Complex, Co. Galway
• Athlone Accommodation Centre, Co. Westmeath
• Dublin Central Inn, Co. Dublin
• Eglinton Centre, Co. Galway
• Slaney Court Apartments, Co. Wicklow
• Temple Accommodation Centre, Co. Westmeath
• St Patrick’s Accommodation Centre, Co. Monaghan.

Two of the centres that were inspected—Eglinton Centre and Slaney Court Apartments—were found to have no non-compliances identified against the standards. The remaining five centres had varying levels of compliance.

Across the inspections conducted, inspectors found examples of good practice, including: support with integration into local communities; providing facilities for cooking and preparing meals; and access to educational, health and social supports.  There were examples of good child-centred practice, including access to well-equipped playgrounds and spaces for study and homework.

Non-compliance was identified in areas including: identification, assessment and response to special needs; accommodation; governance and management; contingency planning and emergency preparedness; and provision of appropriate non-food items and products. For example, two centres did not provide items such as baby formula, sanitary products, wipes, and nappies as required by the national standards.

Where non-compliance with the national standards was identified, providers were required to submit compliance plans to demonstrate how they will make improvements and come into compliance with the national standards. 

Notes to the Editor:

• On 9 January 2024 HIQA assumed responsibility for monitoring the quality of permanent International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres provided by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth as set out under S.I. No. 649/2023 - European Communities (Reception Conditions) (Amendment) Regulations 2023.