HIQA Report on IPAS centres shows 35 per cent of staff unvetted
The report was published by HIQA (Health Information and Quality Information)
A major report published on International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres showed that over a third of centres were not Garda vetted.
The report published by Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) was an overview of 51 centres across the country. In Waterford, there are four IPAS centres: Viking House in the city, Birchwood House on the outskirts, Atlantic House and Ocean View House, both based in Tramore.
The report stated that between January 2024 to January 2025, HIQA carried out 60 inspections across 51 centres. Inspectors met with 867 adults and 353 children. A total of 855 questionnaires were completed by residents.
Of the service providers inspected, 35% were non-compliant with the national standard relating to safe staff recruitment practices. The report stated: "The main trend in reasons for non-compliance was the lack of Garda checks, international police checks and references for staff members and in some cases, all three were absent.
Regarding the statutory notifications throughout this period, there were 60 allegations of abuse of a recipient; 22 notifications of serious injury to a recipient; two notifications of the death of a recipient; two notification of the unexpected absence of a minor.
Of the children and young people questioned, 79% said that their centre was a safe place. 15% of school-age children were not currently attending school.
Food was a recurring issue for the children; "While it is not possible to meet all children’s preferences regarding food in catered services, many children and young people who met with inspectors expressed dissatisfaction with the food choices that were provided."
Overcrowding was another recurrent issue for residents, with many not having sufficient space for their belongings or sense of privacy.
HIQA’s Head of Programme for Monitoring International Protection Accommodation Service Centres, Bronagh Gibson, said: "Our inspections throughout 2024 showed that the current system of international protection accommodation is not adequately resourced to meet demand.
She continued: "This has had a notable impact on the quality of accommodation and services that are being provided to some people seeking protection in Ireland. For example, during our inspections we found that not all staff were appropriately vetted, and a significant number had not been vetted by An Garda Síochána. HIQA required urgent action on this issue and is currently assured that relevant staff members have now been appropriately vetted."
To read the reporttarget="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> in full, go to hiqa.ie.
