Overcrowding at International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres inspected by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) increased by 19% last year.
According to its latest annual overview report, 44% of the centres were overcrowded in 2025.
There are currently 30 accommodation centres under HIQA's remit, which is approximately 10% of all accommodation settings for people seeking asylum in Ireland.
It officially assumed responsibility for monitoring and inspecting the centres in January 2024, which does not include emergency accommodation centres.
The overview report for 2025 has stated that at one centre, 96 adults were living in tented accommodation, which impacted on their quality of life.
29% of accommodation centres inspected, had significant health and safety concerns, including fire safety, structural issues, mould and pests.
It has noted improvements compared to the previous year, which HIQA said demonstrated "the benefits and impact of independent monitoring and inspection".
Systematic 'inability to meet demand' - HIQA
In 2025, many service providers made changes and progress in critical areas HIQA has said "positively impacted" residents’ quality of life and living conditions.
There was a 26% increase in the number of staff vetted since 2024 (now 91%).
93% of centres had safeguarding policies in place; a 16% increase since 2024.
90% of centres had risk management policies in place which was a 47% increase compared to 2024.
While overall standards of accommodation improved, along with governance and oversight, it said "significant challenges continued across the wider sector".
HIQA has also said there was a systematic "inability to meet demand" for those arriving in Ireland and those seeking to move out of IPAS centres.
Head of programme with responsibility for monitoring and inspection of IPAS centres Bronagh Gibson said it was imperative that progress continued.
"Urgent efforts are needed to ensure the system has the capacity to meet demand," she said.
"While there is a national strategy to provide sufficient accommodation in the longer term, interim measures must be timely, effective and responsive to risks such as deteriorating buildings," she added.
Ms Gibson said many residents had positive experiences.
"Almost 90% of adults said they were happy living in their centres, and importantly 97% of children and young people told us that they felt safe living there.
"Their voices provide valuable insights and help us to identify what works well and what could be improved," she said.
