A distressing incident involving a child being hospitalized due to a pest infestation has emerged from the first series of inspections conducted by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) in asylum seeker accommodation centers across Ireland.

In addition to the alarming incident of pest infestation, HIQA uncovered a multitude of issues during their inspections, including overcrowding, inadequate access to cooking facilities, and transportation challenges.

One of the most concerning findings was the absence of safeguarding measures, particularly concerning vulnerable adults, in some of the centers. Furthermore, some staff members were found to be lacking Garda vetting, a mandatory requirement.

The centers inspected in January included Hanratty’s Hotel in Co Limerick, Hazel Hotel in Co Kildare, Knockalisheen Accommodation Centre in Co Clare, and St Patrick’s Accommodation Centre in Co Monaghan. Across these facilities, governance and management structures were described as underdeveloped, with significant non-compliance with national standards observed.

Of particular concern was the discovery of pests in multiple family units at St Patrick’s Accommodation Centre, resulting in one child being hospitalized. Despite efforts to address the infestation through pest control measures, the situation remained unresolved due to ineffective long-term solutions and a lack of monitoring by the service provider.


In one center, the use of tented accommodation was deemed inappropriate and incompatible with basic human rights and national standards.

Bronagh Gibson, Head of Programme for Monitoring International Protection Accommodation Service Centers, emphasized the critical importance of safeguarding vulnerable populations, highlighting the need for comprehensive safeguarding policies and staff vetting procedures to ensure the safety and well-being of asylum seekers.

The revelations from HIQA’s inspections underscore the urgent need for improvements in asylum seeker accommodation centers to address systemic issues and uphold the rights and dignity of individuals residing in these facilities.