Thirteen complaints have been made in four months by asylum seekers to the Children's Ombudsman in relation to direct provision centres.
The ombudsman's office began accepting complaints from children in direct provision, or from adults complaining on their behalf, at the beginning of April.
Direct provision provides for the welfare of asylum seekers and their families as they await decisions on their asylum application.
Last month, over 1,200 children were living in centres - over a quarter of the total in the scheme.
The Ombudsman for Children's Office revealed to RTÉ's Morning Ireland that they have officially received 13 complaints about services and a number of queries which have not, at this stage, advanced to complaints.
Issues raised include the variety and nutritional value of food available, overcrowding, lack of play facilities and mental health issues.
Many people are also very concerned about payments and finance.
€15.60 a week is paid in respect of each child, and a little more to the adults who are forbidden to work.
Some complaints highlighted that parents cannot afford to send their children on school tours and they are struggling to buy school books and clothes.
There were also worries about a lack of money which impacts on access to other services such as hospitals or doctor appointments as it limits transport options in often very rural areas.
Ombudsman Dr Niall Muldoon said he was "unsurprised" by the issues raised. He said that the office has not carried out a full investigation.
He said it seems a pattern is emerging in direct provision centres.
Over the past three months, staff from the Ombudsman for Children have been visiting direct provision centres where children and families are living.
They have, so far, visited ten centres and two Emergency Reception and Integration Centres where people relocated from Greece, Italy, Lebanon and Jordan are accommodated.
Mr Muldoon said since the beginning of this process, the office was concerned that people living in direct provision might be reluctant to come forward and complain.
He said they are hoping to build up trust with people in the centres by visiting them.
The State has 33 direct provision centres.
Before April, residents in direct provision centres could complain to the Reception and Integration Agency, a body of the Department of Justice and Equality.
That changed four months ago and those in direct provision can raise issues relating to standards of accommodation, meals, cleaning and facilities.
However, the children's ombudsman is not able to examine decisions about asylum, visa, citizenship or residency.
