Report on asylum seeker accommodation reveals no Garda vetting, over-crowding and pest infestations

A new report from the Health information and Quality Authority (HIQA) into International Protection Service (IPAS) centres has found pest infestations, incomplete Garda vetting and reports that asylum seekers have felt "unsafe" in state provided accommodation.

Inspections were carried out on four different centres around the country earlier this year by HIQA including Monaghan and Limerick.

The Knockalisheen accommodation in Limerick was found to have "significant deficits" in standards and was deemed "unsuitable" with "underdeveloped governance and oversight".

The centre has a capacity to house 354 residents, but currently houses 278 people, including 35 children.

The investigation found that there was no Garda vetting in place for a number of staff and international police checks had failed to be carried out on others who had previously lived abroad, leaving recruitment practices at the centre "not sufficiently safe or effective".

Eleven members of staff had also not undergone mandatory Children First training.

The report also noted that the "military-style tents" that house 52 males on the grounds of the accommodation were living in conditions that posed "potential risks to their health, safety and welfare".

The men had "no private space to change their clothing, no privacy screens between beds and no access to storage for personal belongings", which in turn impacts their basic human rights, said inspectors.

Residents in Knockalisheen also reported incidents of "drug use, alcohol use and aggressive behaviours", with some telling inspectors they felt "unsafe".

The report also stated the centre was in need of a "deep clean" and noted there was "little engagement with children", by staff members.

The report states the inspectors took the "unusual steps of issuing an immediate action, requesting the service provider to complete a full analysis of all risks in the centre, including risks relating to residents."

In a separate inspection at St Patrick's Accommodation Centre in Monaghan, inspectors noted "ongoing issues related to pest control", along with "high levels of non compliance", with national standards.

A child had previously been admitted to hospital due to the presence of pests in their accommodation.

338 residents including 155 children live at this accommodation centre, and investigators directed the service provider to take immediate actions after "infestations" were found in residents living spaces.

The report found gross overcrowding at the centre with some adults sharing beds with children, and no room for a baby's crib.

Children who spoke to the inspectors said they don't have any room to their homework, instead having to lie on the floor.

No Garda vetting or police checks were also found among staff and not one member of staff had attended training on first aid, anti-bullying, conflict resolution or human trafficking.

Inspections were also carried out at another centre in Limerick, Hanratty's Hotel, and the Hazel Hotel in Kildare, both of which house 95 residents each.

Those living in the Hazel Hotel said there were "some improvements" required and they didn't always "feel safe" but the general welfare of residents was "well-promoted".

Residents in Hanratty's Hotel said they were generally satisfied and spoke very highly of the staff members. Inspectors noted the centre was "a supportive space where staff and managers were readily available to residents".

Staff at the centres that were investigated were notified of the inspections, however HIQA is expected to carry out further unannounced inspections in the coming months.