Non-compliance with food and protection found in some direct provision centres - HIQA

Eva Osborne

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has found non-compliance regarding food as well as safeguarding and protection in some of nine International Protection Accommodation centres, formerly known as direct provision centres.

Non-compliance was identified in areas including: identification, assessment and response to special needs; contingency planning and emergency preparedness; accommodation; food, catering and cooking facilities; governance, accountability and leadership; responsive workforce; and safeguarding and protection.

For example, in one of the centres, inspectors found that a safeguarding incident involving the welfare of four children was not managed in line with national policy or guidance.

Where non-compliance with the national standards was identified, providers were required to submit compliance plans to demonstrate how they will make improvements and come into compliance with the national standards.

Reports have been published on:

• Ashbourne House, Co Cork;
• Atlas Tralee, Co Kerry;
• Cúirt Uisce Accommodation Centre, Co Galway;
• Davis Lane, Co Cork;
• Griffin House, Co Limerick;
• Hibernian Hotel, Co Laois;
• Marian Hostel, Co Offaly;
• Port Road Apartments, Co Donegal;
• The Towers, Co Dublin.

Three of the services that were inspected – Atlas Tralee, Cúirt Uisce Accommodation Centre, and Port Road Apartments – were found to have no non-compliances identified against the standards. The remaining six had varying levels of compliance.

Across the inspections conducted, inspectors found examples of good practice, including: facilities for cooking and preparing meals and residents working or volunteering in the community.

There were examples of space for children to play and activities and day trips being arranged for children and their families.