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:

• Bridgewater House, Co. Tipperary
• Carraig Accommodation Centre, Co. Leitrim
• Carroll Village, Co. Louth
• Clonakilty Lodge, Co. Cork
• Ocean View House, Co. Waterford
• Park Lodge, Co. Kerry
• Linden House, Co. Kerry

Four of the services that were inspected - Bridgewater House, Carroll Village, Clonakilty Lodge and Ocean View House - were found to have no non-compliances identified against the standards. The remaining three had varying levels of compliance.

Across the inspections conducted, inspectors found examples of good practice, including: facilities for cooking and preparing meals; support with integration into local communities; and access to educational, health and social supports. There were examples of well-equipped play areas for children and children were supported to prepare for State examinations.

Non-compliance was identified in areas including: identification, assessment and response to special needs; governance and management and safe and effective recruitment practices. For example, one of the centres had not employed a dedicated reception officer while another centre had not completed An Garda Síochána (police) vetting. In two centres improvements were required in relation to international police checks for staff that worked outside of Ireland for a period of time.

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.