I propose to take Questions Nos. 148, 149, 150 and 151 together.
IPAS policy is to record all incidents, however minor. Incidents that arise in centres are defined and set out in IPAS policies, from a broad scale of general, minor issues related to complaints about behaviour or noise, to incidents considered critical in that they relate to mental health or self-harm incidents, including the unexpected death of a resident.
When any incident occurs, IPAS teams engage with centre management to resolve the issue at hand. In this regard, the Department routinely engages with all providers in relation to incident response and policy compliance.
The Department also carries out regular inspections of centres to ensure policies and procedures are in place that comply with the Critical Incident Policy.
Department records are not collated to allow a breakdown of specific details as outlined in the Deputy's questions.
Please see the following table updated to include statistics on incidents recorded in IPAS accommodation centres, dating back to 2021.
|
Year
|
Incidents
|
Critical Incidents
|
Warning Letters
|
Transfers
|
|
2021
|
5
|
14
|
3
|
0
|
|
2022
|
766
|
37
|
659
|
110
|
|
2023
|
2,109
|
50
|
1,559
|
177
|
|
2024
|
4,168
|
55
|
3,170
|
521
|
|
2025
|
5,725
|
62
|
4,127
|
544
|
|
2026 to date
|
2,568
|
27
|
1,909
|
239
|
It should be noted when reviewing the statistics above that the number of people living in IPAS accommodation has increased very significantly over the last 5 years.
Current resident numbers are approximately 33,000. Resident numbers at the end of 2021 were just over 7,000.
Centre management in all IPAS centres have an ongoing working relationship with the local Gardaí. If there is ever any concern in relation to acts of violence or other criminal activity in any IPAS setting, An Garda Síochána are contacted.
In instances where there are serious or repeated breaches of the house rules, consideration may be given under Section 7 of the Regulations to amending the reception conditions afforded to a resident. This involves withdrawing IPAS accommodation.
In circumstances where reception conditions are amended, the person will be provided with a letter from IPAS explaining why their reception conditions have been amended, that no further IPAS accommodation will be provided. They are also informed of their right to appeal the decision within 10 working days by email.
I can confirm accommodation was withdrawn from 61 people in 2024, 49 people in 2025, and 14 people in 2026.
Data on operational actions by An Garda Síochána or convictions achieved against persons involved in threatening violent behaviour in IPAS centres as requested is not collated by my Department, nor following enquiries is it available from the Courts Service.
