Contractual breaches have been identified at two Clare IPAS centres following inspections carried out by the Justice Department.
Between last November and February, inspections were carried out at facilities in Lisdoonvarna, Miltown Malbay and Ennis.
Inspectors from the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration first visited the Burren Castle Hotel last November.
At the time, the hotel was serving as an International Protection Centre for families, couples and single females with contracted capacity for 250 residents.
Up to ten rooms are inspected at the facility daily by staff and during the visit damp conditions and overcrowding was noted in some rooms, along with cracked walls, there was also evidence of works being carried out while residents were in-situ.
The next facility assessed was the King Thomond in Lisdoonvarna with capacity for 202 residents, here inspectors noted three contractual breaches that required immediate attention, including the presence of several unauthorised cooking appliances and electricals in bedrooms such as fridges, toasters and e-scooters.
Inspectors also noted a shared bedroom that had one door completely blocked and couldn’t be used in the event of an emergency and that the centre manager is working between two centres as the sister property doesn’t have its own management.
Inspectors also stated that Sharp knives are not permitted in rooms and should be removed immediately.
The Clare Lodge in Ennis with contracted capacity for 63 residents was examined on February 10th, inspectors determined the facility was run to a high standard and staff had a good rapport with residents.
The Central Hotel in Miltown Malbay was the final facility assessed, here there is a contracted capacity of 45 and the only contract breach determined by inspectors was the presence of a blender in a residents bedroom.
You can hear more on this story on Clare Fm’s Morning Focus this Thursday morning from 9am.
