Centre ‘unsuitable’ for care of troubled young people

STAFF at a residential centre are caring for young people with drink and drugs problems and teenage asylum seekers in a former garda station meant for use only as a low-support hostel for homeless children.

The old building has narrow corridors and staircases that make supervising the young residents difficult and prevent staff from physically dealing with violent behaviour, according to an Irish Social Services Inspectorate report.

The report also notes that the building, sited right on a city street, lacks natural light and has no outdoor recreation area apart from a very small back yard leading from the kitchen.