A new study has revealed that the State has established a “two-tier” asylum accommodation system, creating major deficiencies in oversight and regulation, reports RTE.
The research, conducted by the Irish Centre for Human Rights in Galway for Doras—a migrant support organisation—points to severe overcrowding in emergency accommodation and a complete absence of proper oversight, reports RTE.
Titled ‘The Reception Gap: Permanent International Protection Accommodation versus Emergency Accommodation’, the report analyses conditions in the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) reception system.
It draws on a survey of 246 residents, discussions in peer-led groups, and in-depth interviews.
A significant number of those surveyed had lived in Ireland for one to three years.
Twenty-four participants had remained in the reception system for even longer periods, reports RTE.
They raised serious issues regarding the quality and provision of food, the absence of private personal space, and the extended duration of stays in facilities meant only for temporary use.
The report calls for “a decisive shift” by the State away from reactive, emergency-focused approaches and towards a structured, rights-centred reception system.
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It further proposes granting the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) a broader statutory authority to inspect every form of international protection accommodation, including emergency and short-term arrangements, reports RTE.
Limited remit for HIQA inspections
HIQA commenced inspections of permanent IPAS centres in 2024, but its authority does not cover emergency accommodation facilities.
Yesterday, HIQA released its annual overview report for 2025, noting a decrease in the number of centres it oversees.
It now monitors 30 centres, equivalent to roughly 10% of all asylum seeker accommodation settings in Ireland, reports RTE.
This marks a drop of 15 centres compared to January 2025, when 45 centres were under its supervision.
The reduction stems from changes in contracts between service providers and the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
Providers are reportedly shifting towards emergency accommodation, over which HIQA holds no legal power for monitoring or inspection, reports RTE.
Doras has stressed that emergency accommodation must remain a measure of absolute last resort and that the existing regulatory and inspection shortfall needs to be addressed “as a matter of urgency”.
CEO John Lannon criticised the reliance on the hospitality sector to manage accommodation and daily life for individuals who have endured significant trauma.
“They are not hotel guests, these are children, men and women who need trauma-informed, trained staff to support their integration needs. The system is simply not fit for purpose,” he said, reports RTE.
He expressed optimism that the “extensive research” could contribute meaningfully to Government reform initiatives, particularly as Ireland moves towards implementing the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum.
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