There were 55 critical incidents in accommodation provided for asylum seekers last year, with seven ending in the death of residents.
New figures provided by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth show that 55 incidents occurred in IPAS accommodation in 2024, with just under half linked to mental health or self-harm and a slightly lower number relating to violence towards staff or other residents.
There were seven deaths arising from a critical incident, which accounts for half the total number of deaths of people typically resident in IPAS accommodation last year, a record annual high.
It comes as the number of people accommodated by IPAS continues to increase to record levels and amid warnings over the mental wellbeing of residents in the system.
The Department said that there is now more than 33,000 people being accommodated in over 320 IPAS centres around the country, including 9,000 children who are with their families.
According to a spokesperson for the Department: "The safety and wellbeing of all residents and staff in our accommodation centres is our priority and we have guidelines in place for IPAS staff and Department officials in relation to responding quickly to any incidents, taking action to ensure people are safe, and reporting to An Garda Síochána when necessary.
"Fifty-five critical incidents were recorded across all IPAS accommodation centres in 2024. Just under half of these (25) were related to mental health or self-harm incidents, 23 incidents were related to violence towards staff or other residents. Sadly, seven of the critical incidents that were recorded during the period were related to the death of a resident.
"While critical incidents causing death or serious injury within centres are very rare, we work to ensure that residents involved can be supported, and that staff are trained and ready to respond in the right way, seeking support from officials and other agencies as needed. Staff and centre management are also equipped to support other people affected, including any family members or friends of the resident in the centre."
More supports required - Nasc
The recently issued figure regarding the number of deaths of IPAS residents prompted asylum seeker support organisation Nasc to highlight how the increase in the number of international protection applicants has put additional pressure on an already strained accommodation system, with some people left homeless for months.
Nasc also said it was concerned that the State has yet to reinstate vulnerability assessments for newly arriving asylum seekers, which it said Ireland is legally obligated to provide.
Responding to the figures regarding critical incidents, Nasc CEO Fiona Hurley said: "These figures lay bare the long-standing, persistent gaps in mental health provision in Ireland, especially for vulnerable communities like asylum seekers who often face trauma, isolation, and prolonged uncertainty. For far too long, people who come here seeking safety have been left without the support they desperately need. We urgently need a compassionate, comprehensive response to ensure that accessible, culturally appropriate mental health support is available."
According to the Department: "IPAS is always available to deal with any complaints from residents and residents are encouraged to engage with IPAS if they are unhappy with any aspect of their accommodation. Where a complaint is significant in nature or a resident is not comfortable raising a complaint with a centre manager, they may make the complaint directly, or through a representative authorised to act on their behalf, to the IPAS Customer Service Team."
