Inspection of IPAS facility on Dublin Street finds ‘red’ flags
Capuchin Friary Accommodation Centre on Dublin Street. Image: MyHome.ie
A LARGE amount of mould was found in a bedroom at an international protection accommodation centre in Carlow town, according to an inspection by the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
The issue was found at the Capuchin Friary Accommodation Centre on Dublin Street, which has been housing groups of families since 2024, following an inspection by the department on 24 February.
The inspection report classified the mould issue as a red priority, meaning it required an ‘immediate’ resolution, with other red priority issues in the centre, including overcrowded rooms, insufficient storage for residents, storing of food in bedrooms and a large number of bathrooms not working.
Inspectors also proposed a revised capacity of 44 people. The current contract capacity is for 50 people, with the occupancy on the day of inspection listed as 43.
In total, the department published inspection reports from 18 properties across five counties.
Other properties in Carlow that were inspected included the Bank House in Bagenalstown and the Dídean accommodation centre, which comprises seven own-door independent living units located in housing estates around Carlow town.
The inspection at the Bank House, which houses 46 people and also took place on 24 February, found there was one red priority issue due to a couch that was taking up space and would restrict movement in the event of a fire. However, it was deemed that, in general, it was a ‘well-run centre’.
Other issues at the centre outlined in the report included a ‘small amount’ of food in the bedrooms, as well as some cooking taking place in the rooms, which was deemed a fire safety issue.
Additional commentary in relation to the inspection noted that management and staff were ‘very welcoming’ on the day of the inspection and had a good relationship with residents.
While the report on Dídean had one issue of mould/damp in a bedroom that required action, it was only a green priority, meaning it was of low operational concern.
‘Dídean Carlow centre is a very well-run IPAS centre,’ the report read, adding that all properties are ‘very well maintained’.
