Ireland’s Asylum Accommodation System Faces Oversight Gaps, New Research Finds

A new study reveals significant gaps in oversight and regulation within Ireland’s asylum accommodation system, highlighting a “two-tier” approach that creates disparities in conditions and support for those seeking international protection. The research, conducted by the Irish Centre for Human Rights at University of Galway on behalf of Doras, a non-profit organization working with migrants, points to overcrowding in emergency accommodation and a lack of consistent monitoring.

Report Findings: A Divided System

The report, titled ‘The Reception Gap: Permanent International Protection Accommodation versus Emergency Accommodation,’ examined reception conditions within the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS). Researchers conducted a survey of 246 residents and held interviews with peer-led groups to gather firsthand accounts of experiences within the system. Many participants had been in Ireland for one to three years, with 24 having resided in the reception system for a longer duration.

Key concerns raised by residents included inadequate food provision, a lack of private space, and prolonged stays in accommodations initially intended for short-term use. These findings suggest a significant difference in the quality of accommodation and support available to those in permanent versus emergency settings.

Calls for Systemic Reform

The report recommends a “decisive shift” by the Irish State away from reactive, emergency-driven responses towards a more coherent and rights-based reception framework for asylum seekers. A central recommendation is expanding the statutory remit of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to include inspections of all international protection accommodation, encompassing both emergency and short-term facilities.

HIQA’s Limited Inspection Authority

Currently, HIQA began inspecting permanent IPAS centres in 2024, but its authority does not extend to emergency accommodations. According to HIQA’s annual overview report for 2025, the number of centres under its inspection remit has decreased to 30, representing 10% of all accommodation settings for asylum seekers. This is a reduction from the 45 centres inspected in January 2025.

The reduction in inspected facilities is attributed to contract changes between service providers and the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, with providers increasingly transitioning from permanent accommodation centres to emergency accommodations – which fall outside HIQA’s inspection authority.

Doras Urges Urgent Action

Doras has emphasized the need to address this regulatory gap “as a matter of urgency,” stating that emergency accommodation should be reserved for exceptional circumstances. CEO John Lannon criticized the use of the hospitality sector to manage accommodation for individuals who have often experienced trauma, arguing that they require support from trauma-informed, trained staff, rather than being treated as “hotel guests.”

Lannon expressed hope that the research will inform ongoing reform efforts at the government level, particularly as Ireland prepares to implement the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum.

Looking Ahead

The findings of this report underscore the critical need for a comprehensive overhaul of Ireland’s asylum accommodation system. Addressing the identified gaps in oversight and regulation is essential to ensure that all individuals seeking international protection receive adequate support and dignified living conditions, in line with human rights principles and the upcoming EU regulations.