Sligo IPAS centre found non-compliant with safeguarding and protection standards
Kenneth Fox
A Sligo IPAS centre was found non-compliant with several standards, including safeguarding and protection, according to the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).
On Wednesday, HIQA published eight inspection reports on permanent International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres.
They found that Milligan Court in Sligo had no non-compliances against the standards. The remaining seven centres had varying levels of compliance.
Non-compliance was identified in areas including: accommodation; governance; safeguarding and protection; person-centred care and support; contingency planning and emergency preparedness; and the identification, assessment and response to special needs.
For example, in two of the centres, some children shared bedrooms with their parents or siblings of the opposite gender over the age of 10 years old, which was not in line with the requirements of the Housing Act 1966.
HIQA said that where non-compliance with the national standards was identified, providers were required to submit compliance plans to demonstrate how they would make improvements and come into compliance with the national standards.
Reports have been published on:
- Clonakilty Lodge, Co. Cork
- Atlas House Tralee, Co. Kerry
- Viking House, Co. Waterford
- Milligan Court, Co. Sligo
- Atlas House, Killarney, Co. Kerry
- Eglinton Centre, Co. Galway
- Johnston Marina, Co. Kerry
- Knockalisheen, Co. Clare
They said overall across the inspections conducted, inspectors found examples of good practice, such as the provision of education supports, such as homework clubs, and access to health and social services.
Staff members supported residents to access relevant community-based services and activities.
