Sleeping arrangements at an International Protection accommodation facility have been found to negatively affect residents’ dignity and privacy, with the potential for long-term harm to children, according to a new report, reports Breaking News.
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has released six inspection reports relating to permanent centres operated by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS).
These IPAS centres, formerly known as direct provision centres, house individuals seeking international protection in Ireland, reports Breaking News.
During a visit to one Dublin-based centre accommodating approximately 231 people — 60 of whom were children — inspectors reported overcrowded and confined room conditions.
They identified 11 families where parents were sharing rooms with children aged 10 and older, reports Breaking News.
In one case, a wardrobe was used to separate the room into two sections — with one side containing a bunk bed and a single bed for three teenage children, and the other a double bed for the parents.
Additionally, the rooms lacked private living areas for either families or single residents living in shared spaces.
Although all inspected rooms adhered to the national standards’ minimum space guidelines, inspectors said that these living conditions undermined residents’ privacy and dignity, and breached the Housing Act of 1966, reports Breaking News.
While the centre ensured families stayed together, the arrangements failed to safeguard their privacy and dignity.
The report concluded that these conditions conflicted with the Housing Act of 1966, compromised residents’ dignity and privacy, and could result in cumulative harm to children over time.
The private operator of the facility planned to move some families to more appropriate spaces within the centre once they became available and had already engaged with the relevant Government department regarding the issue, reports Breaking News.
HIQA carries out inspections of permanent IPAS accommodation to assess compliance with the 2019 National Standards for people in the protection process.
The six reports published relate to Cuirt Uisce Accommodation Centre in Galway, Atlantic Lodge in Kerry, Davis Lane Apartments and Glenvera Hotel in Cork, Ocean View House in Waterford, and The Towers in Dublin, reports Breaking News.
HIQA found that four centres — Cúirt Uisce, Davis Lane Apartments, Glenvera Hotel and Ocean View House — were fully compliant with all standards. The remaining two centres were found to have varying levels of non-compliance.
Across all inspections, inspectors noted several examples of good practice, including well-furnished kitchen facilities, access to health and social services, and assistance with community integration, reports Breaking News.
Atlantic Lodge and The Towers were cited for breaches in governance, leadership and accountability, safeguarding and protection, and accommodation standards.
At one facility, managers failed to recognise their duty to report safeguarding incidents to HIQA, reports Breaking News.
Specifically at Atlantic Lodge, inspectors found that management lacked a comprehensive understanding of the laws, policies, and regulations necessary to protect the well-being of residents.
Despite residents reporting respectful treatment, the centre’s management did not recognise their responsibility to notify HIQA of any safeguarding concerns, the report noted, reports Breaking News.
Under Standard 8:3, providers are required to report adverse events to the appropriate authorities.
However, in this instance, the system in place for reporting such incidents was not used, and one serious event was not reported to HIQA as required by regulation.
Where any non-compliance was found, the relevant providers were instructed to submit action plans outlining how they intend to address the issues and meet national standards, reports Breaking News.
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