HIQA report highlights mould, fire safety issues and more at IPAS centre in Laois

A HIQA inspection of the Hibernian Hotel accommodation centre for international protection applicants in Laois has revealed mixed experiences among residents.

In the report, released this Friday, May 17, inspectors identified significant deficits in several areas, including risk management, recruitment practices, communication with residents, and overall governance.

Interpersonal conflicts among residents were unresolved, and complaints were not appropriately handled, contributing to varied and sometimes negative resident experiences. Improvements are needed to ensure residents feel safe and their rights are upheld.

The centre, formerly a hotel, is a three-storey building with well-maintained outdoor spaces and a variety of facilities. The physical condition of the building was generally good, with ongoing renovations to enhance accessibility.

The centre accommodates families and couples, with 40 residents from seven countries living there at the time of inspection, despite a capacity for 63 residents. It was reported that 75% of residents have received refugee status but remain due to a lack of alternative housing.

Inspectors noted a generally quiet atmosphere, with most activity occurring in the afternoons. Bedrooms were clean and adequately sized, though storage space was limited. Facilities included outdoor and indoor play areas for children, a living room for private gatherings, and a meeting room.

However, the study room was unavailable due to being used for storage, leaving young residents without a dedicated space for homework or study. The communal dining area was relatively small but deemed adequate as residents preferred eating in their rooms and at different times.

The self-catering facilities included a communal kitchen equipped with cookers, fridges, freezers, and other appliances, along with a dedicated setup for halal foods. Here, residents had the ability to prepare culturally sensitive meals with optional using a voucher system to buy food from the centre shop.

However, the centre's laundry facilities were found to be insufficient, with only three washing machines and three tumble dryers (one under repair) for all residents, leading to conflicts. Despite clean common areas, fire safety concerns were noted as many residents were unaware of evacuation procedures, prompting an immediate action request for a fire drill.

Resident feedback was gathered through discussions, questionnaires, and observations. Many residents expressed dissatisfaction with how incidents and complaints were managed, citing unresolved issues like mould, pest control, and unclear fire safety procedures. Some felt unsafe and inadequately informed about the complaints process.

Positive feedback included support for children’s education and integration into the local community, although desires for improved laundry facilities and a wider variety of goods in the shop were noted.