Inspections reveal uneven standards across Wicklow’s international protection accommodation centres
The Wicklow PeopleA series of inspection reports carried out across seven international protection accommodation centres in Wicklow during the first half of 2026 showed that some sites are operating smoothly, while others struggled with basic upkeep, fire safety routines and day to day management.
The findings highlight persistent issues that inspectors say need steady attention.
The overall pattern is one of older hotel and holiday village conversions facing more challenges than purpose‑built or own-door accommodation, with recurring themes around overcrowding, damp, electrical appliances and record‑keeping.
Dunlavin Lodge, inspected in May, is one of the smaller centres and generally functions without major difficulty. Residents live in self contained units and most of the basic requirements are met. However, inspectors noted gaps that have lingered from previous visits.
The maintenance system relies on weekly inspections and a spreadsheet, but there is no follow up column showing when issues were fixed. Some repairs were not completed within the expected 48–72 hours.
Child protection procedures were also incomplete: visitors were not asked to sign the required declaration, and no record was kept. Cleaning products were accessible to children, and a kitchen bin lacked a lid.
Rathmore Holiday Village, inspected in June, is a much larger and more complex site, combining own-door units with a communal house.
The inspection found the centre broadly functional, but with several areas needing improvement. Staff rosters did not clearly list roles and duties, and the security roster did not highlight licensed staff.
The Avon in Blessington, inspected in mid-June, stood out as one of the better performing centres. It consists of own-door houses, giving residents more autonomy and reducing many of the issues seen in hotel‑style accommodation.
Most systems were in good order, from fire safety records to maintenance logs. Child protection procedures were fully compliant. Laundry facilities were extensive, with 24 washers and dryers across the site.
The main gaps were in resident wellbeing: toiletries such as shampoo, shower gel, toothbrushes and toothpaste were not provided, which inspectors flagged as an issue. A small number of rooms had alcohol present, and residents were issued warnings. Overall, the centre received mostly green ratings, with only a minor amber designation for security and staffing.
Ferrybank, inspected in February, showed more serious weaknesses. Security coverage had a two-hour gap with no staff on site, and licensed security was only present overnight.
Inspectors said thumbturn locks were required on bedroom doors, and several rooms were overcrowded based on measurements taken during the visit. They recommended reducing the centre’s contract capacity from 36 to 25.
Electrical hazards were widespread, with a “significant amount” of extension leads in bedrooms. Mould and damp were present in both bedrooms and bathrooms. Fire safety issues included e‑scooters stored in units and missing thumbturn locks.
Kippure Holiday Village, inspected the day after Ferrybank, is one of the largest centres in the county, with a contract capacity of 443. Fire safety records were incomplete, with emergency lighting, alarms and extinguishers showing “no record available” for some dates.
Fire doors were kept closed and some exits were found to be obstructed. Overcrowding was widespread, and inspectors recommended reducing capacity at contract renewal. Mould and peeling paint were also found in several bathrooms.
Electrical items such as extension leads, kettles and heaters were present in rooms. Food safety issues were minor, mostly involving small amounts of food stored in bedrooms.
Some furniture blocked exit routes, a fire blanket was broken, and houses lacked first aid and burns kits. Kippure’s issues appear to stem from its size and the age of some buildings, with inspectors calling for more systematic record‑keeping and routine checks.
The Grand Hotel in Wicklow town which operates as an IPAS Centre.
The Grand Hotel, inspected in March, had some of the most persistent problems. Child protection procedures were incomplete. Emergency numbers were not available in the manager’s office.
Residents had limited control over heating, which operated on a timed schedule. Fire safety issues included exits obstructed, fire doors left open, rooms cluttered, wardrobes used as dividers, and heavy use of extension cables.
Food safety concerns were significant, with many rooms storing large quantities of food, along with microwaves, hot plates and fridges. Mould and damp were described as “severe” in a high number of bedrooms and ensuites. Electrical items such as fans, heaters and fridges were to be removed.
The Esplanade Hotel, inspected in March, performed somewhat better than the Grand Hotel, but still showed notable issues. The centre did have 24/7 security, but child protection procedures were incomplete. Fire safety checks found exits were not obstructed, fire doors were kept closed, and emergency lighting and smoke detectors were in good order.
Food safety concerns were similar to those in other hotel centres, with microwaves, hot plates, fridges and excessive food stored in rooms. One resident required a specific dietary option for medical reasons, and the centre had been notified. Laundry facilities were extensive and compliant, and residents had control over heating.