The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) published its 2025 Overview report on the monitoring and inspection of International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres.
The report found improvements in the services that HIQA monitors since 2024, demonstrating the benefits and impact of independent monitoring and inspection. In 2025, many service providers made changes and progress in critical areas that positively impacted on residents’ quality of life and living conditions:
- 91% of staff were vetted by An Garda Síochána; a 26% increase since 2024.
- 93% of centres had safeguarding policies in place; a 16% increase since 2024.
- 90% of centres had risk management policies in place; a 47% increase on 2024.
- Overall standards of accommodation had improved, along with governance and oversight.
Significant challenges continued across the wider sector, including a systematic inability to meet demand for those arriving in Ireland and those seeking to move out of IPAS centres. This resulted in 44% of centres being overcrowded – a 19% increase on what was seen in 2024, with 96 adults living in tented accommodation in one centre, which impacted on their quality of life. In addition, 29% of accommodation centres inspected by HIQA had significant health and safety concerns, including fire safety, structural issues, mould and pests.
*There are currently 30 accommodation centres under HIQA’s remit, approximately 10% of all accommodation settings for people seeking asylum in Ireland.
- Health Information and Quality Authority | Déan Teagmháil Linn (3 March, 2026), [HIQA’s second year of inspecting International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres shows improvement, but concerning trends continue],