Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1826. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to detail, on a monthly basis, the number of incidents that have been recorded at all IPAS centres in Ireland in 2024 and 2025 under the following headings: violence towards staff, violence towards residents, physical altercations, threats to kill or threats of violence towards staff, threats to kill or threats of violence towards residents, general threatening behaviour, drug taking or residents being caught in possession of drugs and fire. [19120/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The State is currently accommodating over 33,000 people in over 320 IPAS centres around the country, about 9,000 of whom are children with their families.

The safety and wellbeing of all residents and staff in our accommodation centres is our priority and we have guidelines in place for IPAS staff and Department officials in relation to responding quickly to any critical incidents, taking action to ensure people are safe, and reporting to An Garda Síochána when necessary.

Please note that records of such incidents are not collated for publication in the format requested.

25 critical incidents were recorded across all IPAS accommodation centres in 2024 related to mental health or self-harm incidents, and a further 23 critical incidents were related to violence towards staff or other residents. To date, in 2025, there have been 18 critical incidents logged.

While critical incidents within centres are very rare, we work to ensure that residents involved can be supported, and that staff are trained and ready to respond in the right way, seeking support from officials and other agencies as needed. Staff and centre management are also equipped to support other people affected, including any family members or friends of the resident in the centre.

IPAS is available 24/7 to staff in centres for the purpose of reporting critical incidents, and has a general customer service helpdesk which deals with all manner of routine queries from residents in relation to their accommodation.

IPAS is always available to deal with any complaints from residents and residents are encouraged to engage with IPAS if they are unhappy with any aspect of their accommodation. Where a complaint is significant in nature or a resident is not comfortable raising a complaint with a centre manager, they may make the complaint directly, or through a representative authorised to act on their behalf, to the IPAS Customer Service Team.