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

International Protection Accommodation Service centres, formerly known as direct provision centres, provide accommodation for people seeking international protection in Ireland.

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

Reports have been published on:

• Basin Lodge, Co. Dublin
• Dominick Street Complex, Co. Galway
• Great Western House, Co. Galway
• Mosney Village, Co. Meath
• St. Patrick’s Centre, Co. Monaghan
• Temple Accommodation Centre, Co. Westmeath
• The Old Convent, Co. Mayo

HIQA’s follow-up inspection of St. Patrick’s Centre found substantial improvements. This was driven by a fundamental shift in service delivery, which was informed by the findings from the previous inspection in January 2024. The remaining centres inspected had relatively low levels of, if any, non-compliance.

Inspectors found examples of good practice across the inspections conducted, including: facilities for cooking and preparing meals; support with integration into local communities and access to educational, health and social supports. In one centre, a support group for refugee and migrant women was founded and a member of the group was nominated for an award in recognition of their commitment to community and voluntary activity.

Non-compliance was identified in areas including: identification, assessment and response to special needs and safe and effective recruitment practices. For example, not all centres had employed a dedicated reception officer, while some had issues in relation to the appropriate vetting of staff. 

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.