Ipas centres: Cockroaches and mould in some centres but many praised for high standards

Reviewing the 86 recent Ipas reports, Cormac O'Keeffe says inspectors found cockroaches in one centre, and widespread issues with mould, damp, and overcrowding in others. But many of the centres were praised as well run

Many Ipas accommodation centres received praise from inspectors for being ‘well run’ and for treating residents with respect and dignity. However, issues raised about some centres include mould and damp, overcrowding, fire hazards, and inadequate security. Picture posed by model

The day inspectors arrived at an accommodation centre for asylum seekers in Tipperary they discovered there was a “cockroach infestation” there.

In two other centres — one in Clare and another in Meath — parents complained of their baby or child having dust allergies aggravated by dirty carpets and poor ventilation.

Visiting the centre in Meath, one parent told inspectors her daughter was stressed from being in such a small room.

In that same centre, a staff member told inspectors that one of the residents was “increasingly difficult” and could be “very intimidating”.

When an inspection team visited a centre in Dublin they found bad mould and overcrowding and where the staff member in charge that day had an “aggressive tone” to residents.

Inspectors said this person did not immediately seek medical help for a new mother. The inspectors said they could “clearly see” the woman was very unwell and urged medical attention be sought.

These are samples of some of the more negative findings from 86 inspection reports, carried out by Ipas (International Protection Accommodation Service) inspection teams.

The Irish Examiner has gone through each of the 86 reports from inspections carried out across 20 counties in the first three months of this year.

Amid the negative findings, there are a very large number of inspection reports that are positive.

Government figures published last January stated there were 33,215 people in 312 Ipas centres around the country, more than 9,700 of them children.

Last February, justice minister Jim O’Callaghan said the cost to the State for funding these centres stood at €1.2bn in 2025, up 19% on the previous year. This was despite a 29% reduction in new asylum seekers.

86 reports across 20 counties

The 86 reports comprise 30 inspections of Dublin centres; seven in Cork; five in Mayo; four each in Offaly, Meath, Donegal, Wicklow, Galway, and Clare; three each in Carlow, Tipperary, Louth, and Kildare; two each in Laois and Wexford, and one each in Cavan, Waterford, Sligo, and Limerick.

Consistent in all of the centres criticised, and even some of those operating relatively well, is the lack of living space, storage, and separate cooking and eating facilities.

In the majority of cases, people are eating in their rooms, involving the use of electrical devices, such as hot plates, microwaves, and air fryers, as well as fridges. Consequently, they are deemed fire hazards, compounded by heavily overloaded sockets and devices left charging unattended.

Another fire hazard identified is the charging of electric bikes inside properties. Problems with fixtures and fittings abound, whether it is wardrobes not closing, no handles, or lights not working.

Mould and damp are common, including in centres catering for families and children. Regularly, inspectors state that entire rooms, as well as bathrooms and kitchens, need a “deep clean”.

Cork: Minor issues at six out of seven centres

Seven inspection reports for Co Cork were published.

Ipas inspectors said Abbeyville House  in Fermoy, Co Cork, was a 'well-run operation', and praised management and staff who they said treated residents with 'respect and dignity'.

Mallow Accommodation Centre, mentioned in the panel, was the only one that attracted negative findings. 

Three other centres attracted more minor issues, while three centres received a better report, including Wisteria House & Rose Cottage, and O’Mahony House, both accommodating families.

Inspectors said Abbeyville House, also housing families, was both a “well-run operation” and where management and staff treated residents with “respect and dignity”.

Tipperary: Criticism in two reports

Of the three inspections in Tipperary, two were critical findings and one — of Bridgewater House — was generally positive.

Corville House has a capacity for 263 single males, with 262 on the day of inspection. The inspectors highlighted a range of issues, including the security of the grounds. It stated that “all” bedrooms and communal areas needed a deep clean, and flagged cases of “severe mould”. It said some rooms were too small. Hearns Hotel is detailed in the panel.

Meath: Criticism of all four centres 

All four centres in Co Meath received criticism, with Mosney, on a capacity for 977 people (occupancy redacted), subject to relatively light criticism in comparison to the three others — San Giovanni, Collegelands Forge, and Ashbourne Court.

The Ipas centre at Mosney got relatively light criticism compared to the three other centres in Co Meath. Picture: Fran Caffrey/Newsfile

Inspectors identified “serious” mould in San Giovanni and “all bathrooms” needed a deep clean. It said there was overcrowding, with 28 people in spaces for 25. It said staff on duty should be in the building and that when inspectors arrived, they rang the doorbell with no response. They had to wait almost 20 minutes before they got access.

In Collegelands Forge (capacity 28, occupancy 20) inspectors said “severe mould” was an issue. One room was overcrowded.

Mayo centres receive plaudits

Four of the five centres in Mayo — Castlebar Accommodation Centre, Lismoyne, Old Deanery, and Twin Trees Hotel — were complimented for good accommodation, being well-run and treating residents with respect.

Donegal centres generally well run

In Donegal, inspectors said all four centres — Cois Inbhear, Drumbrick House, Lóistín an Iúir, and Port Road Apartments — were generally well run, three showing good relationships with residents.

Port Road Apartments was particularly praised, “evident” that residents were satisfied with the accommodation and staff.

One Galway centre 'extremely well run'

In Galway, the reports on the four centres were more mixed, but White House Salthill was described as “extremely well run”.

Carlow: Negative findings at one centre

Of the three centres in Carlow, two were complimented. Inspectors said The Bank House was a “well-run centre” with a good relationship with residents, while the Didean was a “very well-run centre” and very well maintained. The Capuchin Accommodation Centre received more negative findings, including that a number of rooms were overcrowded, along with common issues to do with clutter, food, and electrical items in rooms.

Dublin: Five negative reports out of 20

Reports on the 20 centres inspected in Dublin are quite mixed, though only five or so had overall negative assessments.

Nine centres in Dublin received relatively positive reports, with the Crowne Plaza Hotel one of four commended for the respect with which they treated residents. Picture: Sam Boal/Rollingnews

The centre at 7-10 Gardiner St (stated capacity 158, occupancy 148, all single males) suffered from significant overcrowding, with inspectors identifying 18 of the 40 rooms as overcrowded, with significant use of bunk beds. It said many of the bathrooms had bad mould.

The inspection of the Airways Centre (capacity 300, occupancy 281, single males) found evidence of bed bugs and some residents having “no covers” on bedding. It found that rooms “have no control of ceiling lights” and that they are on a timer, from 10am to 10pm. It said a “significant amount of rooms” did not have lights even within this period.

A centre on 94-96 Rathmines Rd suffered from “clear overcrowding”, and inspectors recommended its capacity be reduced from 82 to 78.

The Dublin Central Inn is referred to in the panel. The Travel Lodge in north Dublin has a capacity for 334 and inspectors recommend that it be reduced to 318. The inspectors found “significant damp/mould” in several bathrooms and one bedroom. 

It also found “a significant amount of nitrous oxide cannisters” — laughing gas often used by teenagers — in a room.

A file photo of nitrous oxide cannisters of the type found in a room at one centre. Stock picture: Gareth Fuller/PA

At Dorset Street Apartments, the inspectors encountered “significant confusion” at the start of their inspection and suggested additional training for staff/management, including on languages.

When they arrived, the first staff member they met said he was not the centre manager but that when inspectors spoke to another individual on the phone, they were told that the first person was the manager.

Nine of the centres received relatively positive reports for how they were run, with at least four of them — Leeson Lodge, Belvedere Guesthouse, Crowne Plaza Hotel, and Charles Street — also commended for treating their residents with respect.

A snapshot of Ipas centre reports 

Cork 
Mallow Accommodation Centre. Capacity 64; number of occupants 60. Singles and families.

Findings: All apartments currently overcrowded. Bunk beds used throughout but should not be used for people aged over 15.

No security on site: Inspector was able to enter the centre uncontested and enter an apartment on the day they first arrived to carry out the inspection as there were no staff on site.

Several ensuite bathrooms require deep cleaning.

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Tipperary 
Hearns Hotel. Capacity 87; occupants 58. Families and one single female.

Findings: Pest issue within centre, cockroach infestation. Majority of bedrooms and bathrooms have severe mould/damp. Roof of the “whole property” needs to be assessed and all leaks completely fixed. All communal areas need a “deep clean”.

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Clare

Burns Castle Hotel. Capacity 250; occupancy redacted. Families, couples, single females.

Findings: Number of residents approached inspectors. One said their baby had a dust allergy and that the carpet in their room needed deep clean. Some residents said they were “refused entry” to shop onsite as it “wasn’t their day to shop”.

Residents expressed concern at not having enough food for children and that kitchen is closed until 7am and did not provide enough to feed children and get them ready for school. One resident said they were unsure who ran the centre. Complaints of being “supervised” in the dining room while they ate, making them feel intimidated and uncomfortable.

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Meath 
Ashbourne Court Hotel. Capacity 260; occupancy 227. Families.

Findings: One parent told inspectors that daughter “is stressed out as the room is too small” for them. Woman in another room said she has stomach problems, saying the food is not good. Another girl has a dust allergy and blames poor ventilation.

A staff member said one resident is becoming “increasingly difficult” and can be “very intimidating”.

Inspectors found mould and damp in several bathrooms and overcrowding in some rooms and recommends capacity be reduced to 200.

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Dublin 
Dublin Central Hotel. Capacity 120; occupancy 105. Families. 

Findings: Staff member on day of inspection had “aggressive tone” towards residents.

They didn’t seek immediate medical attention for a woman who had a baby recently.

Inspectors could “clearly see this woman wasn’t well” and recommended centre call for medical help. Inspectors said bad mould in a number of ensuites and a number of rooms were overcrowded. Recommended capacity be reduced to 78.

• Cormac O'Keeffe, Security Correspondent