Urgent: Threefold Surge in IPAS Centre Closures This Year

UPDATE: Significant developments are unfolding in Ireland as new reports confirm that 12 contracts for emergency asylum seeker accommodation have been terminated since January 2025 due to serious noncompliance issues. This figure, covering the period up to July 24, 2025, is a staggering three times higher than the total number of contracts ended in all of 2024.

The Department of Justice has revealed that approximately 490 beds have been removed from the system due to these closures. This alarming trend raises urgent questions about the adequacy of oversight in the management of International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) centres, which are vital for housing asylum seekers.

Officials report that the terminated contracts stem from contractual breaches and regulatory noncompliance, forcing all asylum seekers residing in the affected centres to be relocated. A spokesperson for the department stated that the State is currently accommodating an “unprecedented number” of international protection applicants, with an average of 1,000 people entering Ireland each month seeking refuge.

As the situation develops, Sinn Féin justice spokesman Matt Carthy has called for a thorough investigation into the sharp rise in contract terminations. He emphasized that this trend suggests insufficient scrutiny before awarding contracts, allowing profit-driven entities to exploit the government’s shortcomings in addressing international protection needs.

In a statement, Carthy urged Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan to provide more clarity on the reasons behind these closures and the nature of the noncompliance issues.

Currently, the IPAS is supporting nearly 33,000 residents across the nation, with about 25,000 individuals—including 7,495 children—housed in emergency accommodation centres. Disturbingly, reports indicate that nearly 400 people are living in tented accommodation, highlighting the pressing need for stable and sustainable housing solutions.

The department has acknowledged the ongoing challenges and stated that “huge efforts” are underway to establish a more sustainable accommodation system in the long term. This initiative aims to deliver over 14,000 State-owned beds, reducing reliance on private accommodation providers and enhancing the overall reception conditions for asylum seekers.

As the situation remains fluid, stakeholders and the public are urged to stay informed about the ongoing developments in the management of IPAS centres and the government’s strategies to address the escalating crisis in asylum accommodation.

This urgent issue not only affects thousands of individuals seeking safety but also reflects broader humanitarian and logistical challenges facing Ireland today. Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.